4953 Pitchford Hall

I'd imagine that the owner will be keen to sell it for operational use (given it still has seven and a half years on the 'ticket'.) However, what a buyer says they will do, and what they actually do, can be two different things, so in theory anything could happen. I too hope it goes somewhere that can make full use of it.

 

Usually these sort of discussions throw up speculation about Jeremy Hosking or Ian Riley, so I'll just chuck those two names in for good measure. No idea if either would be interested, but it's surprising we've got this far without them being mentioned.

 

4953 was previously mainline; although the recent overhaul I don't think has been done to mainline standards, it was still a thoroughly extensive job. I don't know what would need to be done to take up to NR requirements.

 

I did think something similar - mainly that (vers a discussion on another thread) a Hall wouldn't be overly useful on the Jacobite, but it may open up other work further south.

 

But it looks like a Black 5 in its (and Mr Riley’s supposedly favourite) current livery

 

Isn’t there a problem with gauging though? 4965 hasn’t been out for a while has it?

 

4965 is out of ticket and whilst yes, gauging is an issue, it did manage to stretch its wings quite widely during its last spell and found gainful employment to Stratford for a number of seasons.

 

This lines up with other writing I've seen on the matter.

 

Anyhow, back to 4953… just to throw another loco owner’s hat in the ring, Pete Best maybe?

 

I dont think Hosking isn't a totally out there bet. He owns locomotives that'll never go mainline so this is just another. If Bunch hadn't bought the Austerity a few years ago I might have bet him. Would GWSR look at it seriously? Llangollen got banded about and isn't totally out of leftfield.

 

Tbf Paul we’re all just playing fantasy loco’s at the moment As you say we know Jeremy has a few quid, but would the SVR be willing to look after another Hall for him?
It’s genuinely interesting as to where 4953 will go as we all know another Hall owner can’t run it on ‘their’ railway until there’s a route upgrade, and then there’s the gauging issues on the mainline.
Just out of interest would a 49xx be cleared out of Avimore to Granton?

 

Not Peter Best's thing. He likes organising overhauls of engines and he's said 44806 will be his last.

 

On the basis that most locomotive owners are now nearing the top of the ladder and are seeking a permanent and secure ownership for their steeds it is surely a case of which heritage line has both the funds and the gauged line length to operate it. That would suggest a line such as the Paignton, the Great Central, The GWSR or an operating centre such as Didcot or Tyseley. Given the current steam pool already available is there any need for another 'Hall' to go mainline - or anyone willing to pay the sums required to achieve it ?

 

I imagine it would have been an ideal engine for Paignton, but given they have just bought two locos from SDR, I suspect they're probably not looking for another.

 

There we go then, that puts that one to bed.

 

One would imagine the market for an operational Hall will be pretty limited at the moment, setting aside the issues of mainline which for Halls is pretty much anon starter these days what railways would have that amount of cash knocking about after the last couple of years.

I cannot see there being a queue forming for her, definitely a buyers market.

 

The thing is Fred how many of those you mention have the spare cash at the moment to make a purchase like 4953 post Covid?
Whilst I’d have said the DSR a week or so ago as being a possibility they’ve just been and bought a 28xx and 38xx albeit both out of ticket, would they have the cash?
As ever this wouldn’t be Nat Pres without a fair old bit of speculation!