NYMR Spring 2010 Steam Gala - Giant Gala of Giants

This is what Steven said on the matter in this topic back in March:

...these are merely maximum terms (although can be extended slightly!) between full internal boiler inspections and locos often don't make the 10 years without major work. For most NYMR maintained locos, future policy is likely to be that intermediate overhauls are undertaken so that, unless major firebox surgery is needed (as is the case next overhaul with 30926 and currently with 80135), the intermediate wirk should mean the loco doesn't miss a full season (hopefully!). I hope to have a piece in the next Moors Line on future loco policy.

 

I know you did not imply this....but the fact that he has an agenda doesnt mean that his argument doesnt seem logical. Upon my return home tonight the latest Moorsline had a few letters of support for what M.Burns(? - not Monty Burns I hope!) had said. So I will perhaps await a formal responce in those pages. Somehow the original letter seemed awhile ago....

Hear hear! (and not just the accounting revolution).
Without wishing to turn this into (another) election forum: I will be voting for Steven for the NYMR board.

 

Your comments are generally about right but I will continue to defend the NYMR Loco Department in all of this. I should also say that I wasn't implying that the privately owned loco groups were in any way to blame. They, too, have all had their own problems to overcome, some of which were weather related, some unforeseen mechanical problems, which meant that their locos weren't available when expected. The NYMR, along with the loco owners do plan the usage of the locos over the year so that both parties know (hopefully!) when the individual locos will be required and when maintenance time will be available. I believe I am correct in saying that, originally, all concerned expected their locos to be available for the gala.
I have my own views on galas and I agree that endeavouring to get as many locos as possible is not the best option. I believe that putting on unusual operations is of far more interest in providing the necessary variety. There is a limit to the number of trains that can run between Pickering and Grosmont and we essentially do this on most busy days. I'd much prefer to see a small loco shunting around at (say) Levisham that yet another big engine being brought in to do exactly what the home fleet normally do.
I agree that communications is a big let down on many railways and the NYMR is no exception, there.

 

Just heading away on holiday for a week, so just a brief reply.

Unfortunately, the Press Date for the Moors Line just issued was around the same time that annual reports etc. were being finalised and something had to be left. I did contact the Editor to say I intended to reply but heard nothing more from him so assumed it was too late. I did, however, write an explanation for the purchase of 76079 in the annual report as follows:

Good to see plenty of accountants about - like Sidmouth, I am an FCCA. I think a discussion of the costs of keeping steam alive is a good subject for here and will probably start a new thread when I am back if some-one else doesn't first!

Steven

 

Footage of the N2 tank from last Friday/Saturday here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cyPd8PSC6c

An enjoyable gala despite the failure of Gresley on Friday.

 

Ah, but we know him all too well!

As in many things, there is some truth in what he says, but how many volunteer loco owning groups can keep up with the repairs on a loco covering 8 - 10k miles a year? Take NELPG. They have worked their backsides off on the K1 & Q6 this winter. Have they really got the resources to have another loco putting in the miles at Grosmont? Not really.

The core traffic locos really do need to be railway maintained, supported by a number of hire machines.