35011 General Steam Navigation

I think it is hardly surprising the HLF bid failed. A group consistently raising about £10k per year based in a poly-tent appealed for > £1m. It was completely out of scale: the HLF needs confidence that the organisation bidding would have a credible plan to deliver what was being funded. It’s not as if the HLF are starved of worthy projects.

Tom

 

That is why it really needs to be partnered by an established railway, one as you say, with a track record of achieving targets, of cast iron project management, That of course would depend on if the owning group of course wished to in effect hand over the running of their fund raising to a parent organisation, because, that's what it would take, Is that what's missing, having an established railway supporting, and offering advise ?

 

This is the only one that is to be retro rebuilt. Everyone thought the Duke project was mad but they began to see the money roll in when they got to critical mass, for the want of a better expression. This project is a long way from that.

 

But 35011, as originally built, would be unique.

 

Hate to be pedantic, but I'm going to split hairs here. There is no doubt that Shaw Savill, Blue Star and Holland America Line have not been restored. Ellerman Lines has been sectioned, then cosmetically restored. Port Line has been restored, and needs (and may be having) a heavy overhaul.

 

Being extra pedantic....... 35011 would be unique as the only MN restored to as-built ;-)

 

No. What was said about 71000 was that it was too difficult. That was 40years ago when nobody had cast a big cylinder. It was always a worthwhile project given the uniqueness of DoG. Why recreate a design that was sufficiently problematic for the entire class to be rebuilt very soon after being built.

 

It would be the one loco you could genuinely call an “unrebuilt”

Tom

 

There's plenty of subjects that were considered a waste of time and money. 71000, 6023, 45699, 61264 - I'm sure there's more.

 

I didn’t say I thought it was a waste of money exactly. Nor do I think it is technically all that challenging. It’s certainly achievable. What people do with their £ is up to them, but not many people want seem to be enthused about this, and that I do understand.

 

Whether the heritage railways need so many Jarvis pacifics is open to question. Do they need another (big) Bulleid? I don't think so.
Pat

 

It's struck me a few times that the Merchant Navies seem like an "easy win" for a mainline steam operator, Class 8, gauge friendly, high capacity tenders- particularly if multiple examples were managed under the same organisation.

I'm also wondering whether, despite all the concern about the amount of coal they use whether actually they may come into their own with ability to burn indifferent coal, and a large grate?

Chris

 

Wouldn't it be easier just to put some cladding and a new smokebox on an existing, rebuilt MN? It isn't like anyone bar the driver oiling up can see the chain and oil bath.

 

The outside Walshaerts valve gear might be a giveaway.

 

That’s a bit like putting ‘North Star’ nameplates on a Castle and calling it a Star class loco.

 

Sufficient were enthused to pay for the conversion though. GSN seems to be struggling to capture the interest. I don’t wish that on the group, it’s just what it is.