2999: Lady of Legend

From the original information I think it was always stated that the chassis would be done at Llangollen as there wasn't the room available. I never heard of the whole loco to be done up there?

 

Oh, right. Still, even though it's a different pool of workers, I would assume that the attention of higher layers at the GWS, and funding streams, would have been split.

Noel

 

I believe the funding streams are mostly project-specific.

 

If you look at the Great Westetn Society accounts, there are roughly 30 named restricted funds, covering a wide range of projects; the new build locos (2999; 4709; 1014; 38xx County etc) are all individually listed with annual starting and closing balance, income and expenditure, meaning that financially funds raised for any one of them are ringfenced to that project. In addition, there is a general fund that can be spent at the discretion of the trustees.

Tom

 

A 'bit big' for an original 4 road locomotive shed that would have been full of mainline locos. . . .
(I grant you, they are oversized for hauling a couple of carriages on the demonstration lines, but that is not the point of the GWS collection.)

 

I believe Pendennis has been quietly progressing anyway, but certainly the completion of 2999 will leave a few volunteers looking for something else to get stuck into.

 

I meant a bit big in terms of a running loco for the site. Great for events etc, but the daily running costs in fuel surely mount up? An 0-4-0 saddle tank could do the job perfectly well.

 

There is a small loco fund (I would link to the leaflet but it isn't currently on the new Didcot website). Currently under overhaul are 0-6-0st 1363 at Didcot and 0-4-st 1340 Trojan off site.

There is also a fund for Auto tank 1466 to be restored. Info: https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/shopimages/1466_appealform.pdf This will take place off site.

 

Small Loco Fund Leaflet is here https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/shopimages/small_locos_appeal_leaflet.pdf

As for 1466, the restoration is already taking off site, at a private contractor based on the DFR, details here https://www.facebook.com/Great-Western-Societys-1466-Restoration-369366040524518/

 

The King I would hope would be a quick turnaround given it's limited use and it has earnt itself a bit of money given its stints at Dartmouth and Toddington this year. This is one locomotive that really needs a run on the mainline!

 

The 040 saddle tank might be capable of pulling of carriages up and down, but would it be able to pull visitors from far and wide in the way that the bigger locomotives do? Yes, Didcot is unique, closest thing to an actual running shed in the days of steam and all that...but we don't go there to admire the shed

 

Finest heritage within UK, arguably more comprehensive than NRM. Lady of legend greatest build by amateurs.

 

I think Barrow Hill might want to contest that one.

But, for me anyway, walking into the Didcot shed with that unique smell of steam, smoke and hot oil really brings home the atmosphere of a mainline running shed (Not that I ever experienced the real thing). Yes, I go to see the locos and other rolling stock, but without the shed it would be just another heritage railway (No offense to other heritage railways ).

 

Jamessquared has demonstrated that fuel costs are not a major consideration at the Bluebell. How much less for Didcot? Ideally Didcot would cycle through their large locos so that there are as many opportunities to see different ones in steam as possible. There are practical issues of course.

 

It's not about haulage power or economic use of coal, Didcot like to demonstrate their locomotives regardless of size. It's all part of their Memorandum and Articles of Association (part quoted below. my bold). They generally try to have at least 1 large and 1 small loco available at all times (1 for the 'main line' and one for the 'branch line'.

"The Great Western Society exists to preserve, restore and operate, as a permanent public exhibition and museum, locomotives, rolling stock, equipment machinery and relics of historical operational and general interest and educational value with particuar reference to the former Great Western Railway"

 

Them's fighting words, pardner...

 

I think that policy has got somewhat lost in recent times for reasons debated to death on this forum, however it appears that a changing of the guard is happening to a degree and thus hopefully the locomotive policy will become more balanced again in the future. Once 4079 is done a bit more space may become available for in house restorations/overhauls obviously subject to volunteers being available.

 

I think the A1 gang may want to have a quiet word with you....

Keith

 

I wouldn't like to call the A1 trust a group of amateurs...

 

amateur
/ˈamətə,ˈamətʃə,ˈamətʃʊə,ˌaməˈtəː/
noun

1. 1.
   a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis

I think that fairly accurately describes the A1 Trust, while acknowledging that they do have some employed personnel.

Keith