Back Of The Shed

I'd like to see Aerolite in action.

 

42500

Bob.

 

I agree that it does not seem to be a popular loco at the SVR - particularly with crews - but the OP was asking about locos that observers would like to see back in action. I have a vivid memory of 600 hammering through Bewdley on a demo freight during a gala some years ago. A sight (and sound) not soon forgotten...

Failing that - I would second the thought to revive the 93xx.

 

5080 yet not 63460?

 

On the Bluebell, the Adams Tank would be top of my list - the first preserved steam loco I can remember travelling behind, back in the 1970s. The North London Tank is one I have never seen run.

Even in preservation, you'd have to be fairly old to have seen 27 running, but that one is now being actively restored.

Away from the Bluebell and thinking of locos that have run in preservation, but not recently, Hardwicke would be high on my list.

Tom

 

Its about time this thing ran:

 

To the Adams and Gordon, I’d add Blackmoor Vale and Mountaineer at the Festiniog, as locos I have fond memories of but haven’t seen in action for donkeys years.

Simon

 

I remember having a run behind No. 27 during its final year in service (1974). I was only a teeneger at the time, but thank you for making me feel so ancient, Tom! I don't feel like an old man yet !!

 

Sorry John I would have been four when it first ran, and I don't think my first visit was until a year or two later.

Interesting question - of locos that have actually turned a wheel in preservation ownership, which has been out of traffic the longest? For 27, it is now 44 years - any that have been longer? Thankfully, restoration to running condition is now well under way.

Tom

 

There's more chance of Lord Lucan winning the Grand national on Shergar!
That 'loco' is just a shell with no boiler and half a driving wheel. The tender was cut up, to save space, years ago and some bits went to build Beachy Head's new tender.
Ray.

 

Yes, hence the winky smiley guy! Be nice though....wrong thread perhaps!

 

Missed the smiley, sorry. Actually there was a proposal several years ago to build a similar single wheeler at Didcot but the chap behind the scheme died before it got anywhere.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Does GNR Atlantic 251 count? Withdrawn 1947, last steamed 1953.

 

No one's mentioned any industrials. I saw SIR THOMAS in steam very nearly 50 years ago and would like to do so again.

 

1, L & Y 1008
2, Midland Compound 1000 (saw her in steam once, at Manchester Victoria in 1980)
3, 46235!

 

Not sure when 6697 last steamed at Didcot but it was in the 70's. I think she was the last 56/66 in service and bought directly, not sure if she was ever restored or just steamed straight from BR?

 

Yes, oddly enough. The issue with this is that apart from harmless wish listing about what you'd want to see in steam, your fast charging towards the issues in preservation about what should steam and what shouldn't.

The T3/Q7 is a gorgeous piece of engineering, but I am also practicable. Right now shes safely tucked up inside Darlington Head of Steam museum and wont be coming back out soon. There, its nicely kept under wraps and can be preserved in its current state; its preserved and stored. Yes its been operational before, but there comes a point when you have to ask, exactly what do we need to steam (preserved operational), what do we need preserved in storage and conserved for the future (preserved and kept as it is). Some engines like Q7 Id say are preserved, but others like Aerolite are 'plinthed'. This engine is conserved and not been touched for ages. Really now it would be a shame to replace parts as we need some engines kept in their current state for future generations to enjoy as having kept as such. Perhaps the M1/D17 is another engine that is conserved in preservation.

Yes this means that Eastern region engines might fall short in terms of those that operate nationally, but despite my previous protestations on this, again I am realistic that it’s a consequence of history and that's just how things happened. It would also mean that you’d have to be selective about where engines went and how they could be used today. Everything needs a business case to return an engine to steam and doing so means that it needs to be popular and generate income to recoup costs of its overhaul and hopefully provide for another if that’s desired. With some of these engines it’s questionable whether that might work, so can it be justified? Then there’s the moral issue about returning an engine to steam and replacing the many parts that would be needed. Thankfully, there’s other engines that are operational that will take up the role for regular operation. This does fall to a lot more of Black 5’s and BR standards as these are more numerous – but then can anyone name a BR standard that’s been plinthed? Should we have one that is?

As a result I did think pragmatically about what would be nice to steam, but also what status the engines have at present and what might be needed for the future. Probably overthinking it all… but that might just have to mean that I’d choose 5080 over 63460 after all.

 

The first sensible post on this thread so far!

 

I believe it had a boiler tube failure around 1977 & hasn't steamed since. Don't think it has ever been actually restored, apart from maybe a repaint.

 

Regarding BR Standards, I think that we can now regard 92220 as 'plinthed'