Back Of The Shed

What locomotives are you looking forward to being returned to working order that have been out of action for some time? Maybe even forgotten about in the minds of most.

I was just thinking about my favourite locomotive 6203 Princess Margaret Rose and how she last steamed in the mid nineties. Then I looked at 35027 Port Line and it was the same story. Suddenly it was a bit of an internet rabbit hole...

 

Blue Peter, 75069, 82045 and Bahamas.

 

Any of the three 72xx' - I'm not fussy! It beggars belief that none have turned a wheel in anger since Barry. The first one out of the shed will create a bit of interest I think.

 

That's hardly been out of action for a while and sat at the back of the shed forgotten about!

Got to be Dumbleton Hall for me, when I saw how sad looking it was on it's disconnected siding at the SDR and discovered it had run in preservation I immediately felt rather sorry for the poor old engine.

 

On the NYMR it has to be 3672, 80135 and No. 5

 

I remember seeing 46229 Duchess of Hamilton out and about in the 1980s. Would like to see her on the mainline again especially now she has her streamlining back, but I doubt it will happen.

On a related note, I wonder if the cladding significantly increases her profile and axle loading such that it would limit potential routes.

 

Gordon

 

I think it's all been done with the mainline in mind.

 

Fair point but it's certainly something I'm looking forward to seeing in action! I'll add 1420 and 1466 to the list, you can never have enough 14xx Auto tanks in action!

 

Kolhapur. because jubilees are good. could be even better with a bit of attention to the front end...

 

48431 & 48773 for me. Oh, and 63460 too!

Richard.

 

I agree about the 72xx class mentioned in post 3. Most, if not all of the others mentioned here have had their moments of glory and are large engines; the 72xx's haven't.
I like the 14xx (48xx) auto tanks but few heritage lines seem to use them, except on galas and special days, despite the fact that many of the preserved lines originally had them as mainstays.

 

How many are left. 3 ? 4 ?
Have they found the right ' Homes' ?

 

Depends how seriously you are asking the question!

Gladstone would be top of my list, but I can't see the NRM letting her be restored.
Second comes the Midland "Spinner" No 673 - the best-looking engine in preservation in my opinion but an equally implausible dream.
Close behind and just as unlikely are GNR No. 1, SECR D Class No. 737, Lode Star or any of the Scottish quartet (Jones Goods, Caley single, Gordon Highlander and Glen Douglas)
Three other NRM locos are perhaps slightly less impossible although still very long shots - City of Truro, Green Arrow and MR Compound No. 1000
Then, of course, you can't have too many Bulleids! Bring back Tangmere, Bodmin, Port Line, Holland America Line, Sidmouth, Manston, Eddystone, Can Pac, Swanage, Boscastle, etc, etc.....

On a more realistic note, if the LSWR T3 (no. 563) is deemed repairable by the Flour Mill, I can't think of any other engine which stands a decent chance of being steamed in the not-too-distant future which would excite me as much as this elegant Victorian 4-4-0.

However, I totally agree with other posters about a 72xx and 46203.

As for this year, 75069, 31874 80151 and Bahamas will do nicely for me, along with 6989, which should soon be steaming for the first time in preservation.

 

Yes remember the articles about it the time proclaiming it being done to a mainline standard when it was fitted at Tyseley. I believe they also did a full assessment of the loco so the NRM know exactly what needs to doing to steam her again.

Locos that I would love to see turn a wheel in anger again: Gordon, the Addams Radial at the Bluebell, L&Y 1008 (are there any other standard gauge 2-4-2Ts knocking about?) and I did always have a soft spot for City of Truro. In the realms of fantasy Metropolitan A class 23 kept at the London Transport Museum would be incredible to see, along with Lion and the Wantage Tramway loco at Didcot but sadly think they are all too far gone.

 

Need to re-open Alveley Colliery first!

For the Severn Valley I'd like to see the one currently at the back of the 'shed' - the Collett Mogul. Great Western class 4 loco, ideal for the line, and not steamed since 2000.

 

Has anyone mentioned 1000 yet?

Edit: Just seen someone has

 

Agree with Blue Peter.

 

L & Y pug 51218.

 

@Robin I'm in agreement with 7325- I didn't get to see it in action in its previous ticket.

Does anyone happen to know whats happening with 63601- there seemed to be a lot of excitement when she was initially restored but now seems to be one of the 'back of the shed' locos? Did she not prove suitable or has additional problems?

60532 is another.....

34039 and 34101 are both locomotives I'm keen to see return, 34101 is the first standard gauge loco I ever went on the footplate of and 34039 was a bit of an old friend when I used to regularly visit the GCR with my dad (along with 6990 and 5231- both now in traffic).

Chris