SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

I meant Kazakhstan coal, of course - don't know where I got Azerbaijan from. Yet another of those senior moments I'm afraid. They probably don't even have coal in Azerbaijan.

I'll edit my original post.

Peter

 

No but Armenia does...

 

Have spent the last couple of months (in particular the last week and Santas) making a focus of the last steamings of 2857 & 1501, my first post being focused on 1501....

 

Will Marsh lays the blame for 4930's fire starting at the Autumn gala to the Kazakhstan coal in the latest SVR news. The dust stays alight far longer than other coal and has led to a spate of fires this year and resulting steam bans. He reports that 4930 has now had a modified spark arrester fitted that includes a baffle that breaks the dust up further. Some after dark trials were undertaken with a 400t load, early indications were successful and the design is being rolled out to the rest of the fleet ahead of next season.

 

And to continue my post, my shots of 2857 over the last couple of months.... I've also included a final shot of 43106 on Christmas Eve, an engine due to retire later this year so definitely one to make the most of!

 

I'll surely miss it when it does go, it's a good little machine for a Midlander.
Although it could do one last round of tours I suppose, North Norfolk, Glos Warks, NYMR to name a few.

 

Well they aren't exactly "starved" of engines are they?
Shame that 7714 is the only operational tank engine now.

 

I doubt it. Its condition is 'delicate' and its getting restricted use on the SVR. They won't want to risk a failure on another railway.

 

OH COOL!!

 

Oh well, never mind!

 

We may not be starved of locos but we are short of smaller, more economical locos to operate the smaller services. This year we have 7714, 7812, 4930, 34027, 13268, 813 towards the back end and maybe 1450. 43106 should finish in the late spring/ summer.

If you drove a chelsea tractor around at 15mph all day. You arent using it at its most efficient. If you drove it at 60-70mph then you are.
Use that analogy and apply it to heritage railways. Pacifics/ larger locos, ie class 5s and above working on heritage railways are not being used efficiently. The same must apply to diesels as well.

the NYMR is exempt from smaller locos, simply because of the railway itself.

 

Lambton 29 is hardly massive is it?

Well, I wasn't thinking about economics, just more of a case of variety.

 

And 4MT 75069.

The point on small engines is well made though. I guess returning 4150 and 82045 will be used as 'small' locos (though they're not that small).

7714 was back in traffic late 2016. Wild speculation, but (as is planned for TV) if the SVR wanted/needed/could afford it then perhaps you might get a quick turnaround with an intermediate overhaul? There's the spare pannier boiler too. I don't know the state of the tyres or mechanical condition though.

 

Lambton 29, when I was last at the moors was being used on the dining train and had the 47 on the back providing assistance. No its not massive but you wouldnt put it on a 7 coach service train.
Variety doesnt enter into the conversation. Its about what the railway needs. Not what the enthusiast wants.

Edit. I had forgotten 75069.
4150 and 82045 are both 2024 locos.
Through conversations in the bar. There will be no more locos entering Bridgnorth until what is already in there has been completed.

1450, whilst seen as a loco purely for the auto coaches, can be utilised on 3/4 coach diagrams. I remarked to my old man on NYE at the bluebell when they had 80151 on a 3 coach set an how we could utilise our vehicles in a similar way. 1450 and 813 were tested with the diner (4 coaches) and without steam heat, both are capable of a 16 mile run without the need for water. Personally, and this is only my oppinion. I would rather see 1450 and the 2 autos as the second service or a fill in service rather than the DMU.

 

Lovely photos Kieran, Thank You for sharing! What camera are you using?

Richard.

 

Not to mention 4150 isn't too far away now, one to look forward to in the next 1-2 years I'd think along with the very exciting prospect of 82045. (Edit: Just spotted Southernman99's post!)

Thank you, may surprise you but I use something very simple and very dated now, a Canon SX40 which I think I've much pushed to the limits! Due for an upgrade but it's very handy when I visit the traction engine rallies!