Under restoration/Never steamed in preservation

What about the cylinder? And who are the 'they' that you keep talking about?
This is not a good idea. This is a stupid idea.

Keith

 

I sometimes wondered what would happen if someone gave LSD to rail enthusiasts. Now I know.

 

Err how about some of Stuart's grand plans?

 

I hate to say it, but by comparison to this, they look almost rational.


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There's a statement from SLL this morning: http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/News/news.html

 

What date is it?

 

Looks like a load of horseshit to me... Well, maybe not horses...

Richard.

 

It’s not the only MN which needs a new cylinder...


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Guys guys mý original post about Ellerman Lines wasn't supposed to be taken seriously, l just thought everyone could do with a bit of levity at the moment. As it happens l think it is doing an absolutely splendid job in the condition it is now.

 

The "April Fool" was posted up on the SLL website but still nothing about 35025. I would be interested if anyone can confirm an anecdote I heard a while back that the group which bought and restored 35027 (And which are now part of SLL) were persuaded to go for this loco by one particular individual who remembered it as "Bournemouth's best engine" and it was his personal favourite. So the story goes, an account of 35027's condition was presented to the group by this individual emphasizing all the positives at the expense of 35025, which was being considered as an alternative and may have actually been in better condition. Is this just an urban myth or is there some truth in the story? If the latter, there would be a certain irony in 35025 ending up in SLL's care all these years later.

 

There will be a proper news update on the SLL website in a few days.

 

I think the chances of Blue Star steaming in my lifetime or yours (and I have no idea how old you are!) are very very small!

Keith

 

Sll seem to be on top of their overhauls, so I guess it allows scope to consider another loco, especially if it attracts funding to do the overhaul, as members might be prepared to put their hands in their pockets for a new engine, especially an merchant navy, that would be useful not just at Swanage, but on hire to other railways , I wonder how one would manage on the NYMR's banks

 

When SLL’s previous two MNs were sold, a major part of the argument was that such big locomotives were not particularly “useful” for preserved line use, and therefore that an alternative owner might better be able to fund their restoration and operation.

I’m not sure what if anything has changed in favour of such large locomotives since then, or why other preserved lines might now be more willing to dip their hands in their pockets to run one.


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I've always suspected such arguments actually have more foundation in fashion than in emprically verifiable fact.

 

I think there’s truth in that, but I think fashion has moved towards smaller locomotives for a while. And as SLL fund their work through hiring out, rather than as a resident group, I trust the company directors to have a decent idea of the bounds of the hire market.


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How about old v new? and/or the growth in the market means there are more operators chasing the same number of engines.

 

I don't think there's a growth in the market but I think in the past few years there's been a change of thought and rather than have say something like a Pannier working it's guts out its better to have say something like a 4mt working within itself and the wear and tear is slightly reduced, I'd echo Martins thoughts and see what a MN could do betweeen Grosmont and Pickering though.

 

But that is a change of trend within still relatively small locos. I don’t see that logic extending particularly to the big classes.


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depends on the railway concerned, for example, if railway A regularly loads to 7, or 8 bogies, then a class 7, or 8 will be a viable proposition, I think the days when a merchant navy was seen as being too powerful for most of our top heritage lines is over, for instance, off the back of my hand, I can think of , Dartmouth, Great Central, Bluebell, NYMR , SVR ,
All I think would now view an MN As being a useful engine , and that's not including the Swanage and Mid hants, returning to my past posting, with Wareham in mind, it might even be worth re evaluating is it worth the additional cost of having the engine restored to mainline condition, as looking beyond Wareham, and the opportunities it would open up, one drawback of the Moguls are their only class 4, and would be restricted on what they could haul beyond Wareham, A MN, Though, would have no such limitations, which would make it a more profitable option, and a possible flag flier for SLL, lets assume , it was mainlined, then any railtour that visits Swanage, or Weymouth it could be used for the return leg, and power a balancing movement back a week, or two later, it would need to be turned though, on its return to Swanage, but hopefully they will have a large enough turntable by then, plus the railway gets a visiting engine during that time, its certainly not something to be dismissed out of hand, such is the rarity now of steam on the weymouth line,