Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

Just to stimulate a bit of conversation. When have we had the most Bulleids operational in preservation? At the moment we have 34007, 34028, 34046, 34059, 34067, 34070 and 35028 (including locos out of action right now for repairs) Have we had more than 7 before?

 

In the time frame you're thinking of, I think you can include C1 as well.

 

Isn't 34067 undergoing overhaul though rather than repair so surely it's 6?

 

Looking in Heritage Railway apparently plans are being made for 34046 to run non stop from Waterloo to Weymouth for next years End of Southern Steam Anniversary and returns with 48151 which comes off at Yeovil and 34046 added again having been serviced there.

 

I didn't think a Bulleid could run non stop from Waterloo to Weymouth without a water stop. The tender doesn't have a larger enough water capacity?

 

48151 is an interesting choice of second engine

 

Well there is that GUV water carrier and Bittern's second tender could be used I suppose

 

Now that would look a bit odd with a LNER tender behind a Southern loco. Why not make the event more authentic by having a water stop at Southampton?

 

Its only non stop to Northam and they are going to go down the main line all they way trying to get as close to the old schedule as possible. Return is via Yeovil with the 8F taking the train up unassisted. Water at Basingstoke then a fast run back with no passenger pick ups other than London. All sounds to good to be true but fingers crossed.

 

I support that idea.

Calls at Southampton and Bournemouth, then whatever is needed to get a pathway after Bomo would be lovely. If it gets a decent pathway out of Waterloo, (ie not a 9 minute to pass Clapham after starting from platform 19), then it could run the old 2 hour schedule even with the 75 mph limit. That would not be a problem, the old schedule was quite lax to Soton. Albeit rarely kept because of inevitable delays around and after St Denys because of a preceding bod cart.

But IF a pathway can be found. And that is an enormous IF. I wonder how many of us would pay a significant sum to leave in the early hours of a Saturday morning to ensure a pathway was available! A few years ago the group I was in ran an overnight Hamburg Osnabruck and return Express with 012 100-4, (German oil fired 3 cyclinder pacifc), with a decent schedule and a permitted max speeed of 140 km/h, (87 mph). But only about 150 of us or less turned up for a near 23.00 departure from Hamburg Hbf.

But with the moves before hand to get to Waterloo and a decent reserve for today's operating conditions, 34046 will need an extra tender or similar to avoid being looped at Northam for a lengthy water stop. IMHO.

 

Steam Dreams have booked a path already for this trip, I imagine to prevent RTC from running on their traditional End of Southern Steam anniversary as happened this year. Anyway fingers crossed for a clear run but I bet it doesn't happen.

 

If early hours of a Saturday morning can't be found what about a Saturday evening trip down to Weymouth and a pub-crawl around Weymouth. Then a fast trip back to waterloo late Saturday night/very early Sunday morning?

 

Now your talking, where do I book

 

Count me in.

 

Sounds like a plan

 

I'll bring the 'Good Beer Guide' and a few bottles in reserve...

 

A couple of cases of Buntingford Brewery 92 Squadron Ale would be an appropriate tipple and would earn a few pennies for 34081 into the bargain.