Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

How do you consider this to be a personal attack on 34007? 61624 gave two extremes of a a person with a well funded plan and a self righteous plonker. He did not suggest 34007 was either.

If, on the other hand, you think a cap fits..... well, they are your thoughts, and yours alone.

 

After a few emails to a friend back home that had interests years ago with both JB and Mr Heather, I understand that several offers have been made for 35018 and all have been rejected.

However the option of a railway/group completeing the overhaul and then having use of the machine is the prefered option now. That said how amny line would want, afford and could use a Merchany Navy?

 

Its a sad case, and I for one sympathise with the owner. He clearly wants to own 35018 (hence the rejection of offers), but does not have the resources to do so unless he has help from a heritage railway (and as OldChap says, the sad fact of the matter is how many really want to have an MN these days?).

 

Yes, that is the plan and SLL have launched a new offer to raise money for the remaining work.

http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/Company/Shareholders_Scheme.html

 

Even though I could only afford one share due to financial constraints, I've recently purchased one for the restoration of 34053. I'm looking forward to attending next year's shareholders event, hopefully for the naming of an operational 34053 at Norden!

 

I'm with you there Bulleid Pacific! I've just signed up for a share to help 34053 steam again as well, so I might see you there next year.

Regards,

Paul

 

Bit of a catch 22 really. Class 8 locos are expensive to run but they do attract the public as they are inevitably named and have a certain glamour that not all their smaller brethren can match.

 

Its the situation where we must be grateful that the engine still exists, and that I'm not having my morning shave with the results of its scrapping.

 

Sadly, I think the situation now is that every line that could put such a loco to good use already has one, if not more. Any Merchant Navy that has not yet been restored has probably missed the boat.They are not rare (like an A4, a Royal Scot or a King) and they are not "general purpose" locos like a GW Prairie, Standard 4 or Black 5. I wish it were otherwise, but I think the first ex-Barry loco to be scrapped will be an MN. It will cause an outcry but probably not bring forward a serious purchaser.

 

At least one has already been scrapped, pannier 3612 on the SVR. I think 8F 48518 will go the same way (boiler for 1014, other parts for 45551?). Although not scrapped, we have the conversions, 4942/2999, 7927/1014.

 

Here's a great idea I thought of last night. It doesnt ivolve lots of money, scrapping or combining locos.

There seems to be a cause for about 5 MN's to be around for restoration.
35005 at MHR
35028 on Mainline
35006 at GWSR
35027 on Mainline
+ one other for under overhaul so there is one spare.

However, with the other 5, just restore them cosmetically for static display, like 35029 (except not with huge chunks cut out). It wouldnt cost too much and if money permits, one day they could be restored. They could be put on display at NRM york, NRM shildon, Midland railway centre, bressingham and other such museums and at heritage lines for bulleid line ups.

To me it seems a sustainable way to keep all 10 MN's in preservation.

 

Similar to something I suggested a while back, I'll have to dig out my post.

EDIT: Damn, I can't find it! It must have been on a different thread, so it could be anywhere...

 

Great idea, whether the powers at be will allow it is another matter! Seems logical enough though without any major hastle.

 

With regard to the "other 5" there was a project mooted earlier this year to return one to as built condition. Does anyone know whether the project is going ahead or has it died a death?

 

Do you know about the 35010 Cylinder appeal ?

Please have a look at www.besps.org

 

I think there are still plans to make 35009 into a "super MN".
35022 was originally intended to be "unrebuilt" but I think cost prevented this.

 

I was at the Bluebell last Sunday and according to someone heavily involved in Bulleids, an announcement is due soon regarding the recreation of an original MN. Time will tell if the info is correct. An original MN is a mouth watering prospect IMHO.

 

On about Bulleid locos that don`t seem to be going anywhere fast as far as restoration is concerned, whats happening to 34058" Sir Frederick Pile"?

I remember visiting the Bitton Railway 20 years ago and was told it would be restored in about 10 years to mainline condition.

Then just last week i visited the now renamed Avon Valley railway to check on progress, to say i was disappointed was an understatement. Apart from a painted boiler jacked up off the frames and some repairs to the front end it appears little else had been done.

Speaking to a volunteeer there, he said that the owner lives in Pompey and can only get down there on occasions.

The same guy also said that he would likely be six foot under by the time its restoration is finished, if ever and he was only in his early forties! I can only agree, with what i have seen.

On the plus side hid did say that a lot of parts have been aquired, enough to fill about 4 CCT vans.

Perhaps a more regular website update would be good as well because at the moment the impression seems to be of a stalled project.

 

The "S" word crossed my mind a few days ago regarding 34058. I sincerely hope its not the case, but the lack of information coming from this quarter is worrying.