Schools Class "Cheltenham"

I'd happily put my hand in my pocket for that.

 

Why go on about main line running? we should be happy that 925 will be back in steam again.

 

People are happy, but if 850 isnt going to fulfill the commitment to mainline running then it only seems right that the opportunity of using the equipment on 925 is at least investigated. If the MHR wouldnt agree to limited mainline use, perhaps along the same vein as the NYMR/60007 deal then fair enough, but it would seem a missed opportunity to not even consider it.

Chris

 

Does the NRM want this loco to go main line and who will pay for the extra cost of putting and running 925 back on the main line? Does anyone know the average cost to put a loco on the main line compared to only running on a preserved line?

 

Maybe get ask a magazine to promote it.

Personally even if 925 did runs from London or Woking to the Mid hants to me it would be a winner.

The only schools Ive seen on the mainline was 925 at Rainhill and watched a BBC documentary last week saying "watch this space it would be a mainline performer of the 1980's"..

 

Still doesn't answer the question does the NRM want THEIR loco to go main line?

 

If it didnt require NRM resources or funding then i cant see why they would have a fundamental problem with it, they are letting it be restored to preserved line standards after all. Perhaps Anthony could give us his thoughts on it?

Chris

 

the point here is this, you have an engine that has already had an unltrasonic test, so that wont be needed, the standard the MHR work to used to be the same as required for mainline running the real extra cost is in the VAB inspections and signing her off, all im saying is this, you have an engine(850) that has the kit fitted (aws& tpwt) but not going mainline , why not use the bits to enable 925 a short period on the mainline? hire fees could off set the costs, and the publicity it would gain for both the NRM, and MHR would do both a very good move , what does rank and file members of the MHRPS think? it if done would be in demand, in a few years the bluebelle could be open through to the network fully, what a better way to celibrate that than a special hauled by 925 to sheffield park from alresford with maybe braunton on the return ?

 

Oh no, pipe dreams again:-

Regards
Chris:

 

Quite honestly, all this talk of going on the main line is just talk. It is fair to assume that Cheltenham will be used in the same way that City of Truro is at present. Travelling the country's heritage railways giving a lot of people plenty of enjoyment.

 

I too would love to see 925 out on the mainline. However, there are (at least) two parts to the question of mainline running. The preparations (TPWS, OTMR, extra inspections and paperwork) are only the beginning of the story. Once you have your mainline ticket, you then have the challenge of actually running your loco. This is just thinking aloud, and I don't claim any special knowledge or insight, just thinking what might be involved...

You need to recruit and train the support crew, pay for extra insurance, agree with MHR operations when the loco can be spared from local duties, buy or hire and restore/maintain a support coach and all the equipment you'll need, negotiate hire agreements with operators and make sure you get your money when it's due, schedule and pay for the extra maintenance required, arrange and pay for all the extra regular inspections, arrange and pay for coal and water when out on tours, and probably several dozen similar things that I'm not aware of. With Lord Nelson, that's what ERPS did. With 777 and 70013, the 5305LA takes care of it. I don't suppose the MHR will want to take on that additional work themselves. Maybe there's a role here for a new society (The Friends of Cheltenham, perhaps?) but it would need to be made up of people with proven experience, good contacts with both the NRM and the MHR, and a very sound business case.

It's not impossible. There's lots of time to get organised before 925 is ready to haul trains. Get a team together with the right skills - engineering, operations and business; talk to similar groups and societies; talk to the NRM and MHR; come up with a proposal. Maybe aim for mainline work 2 years after an initial return to steam on the Watercress Line, in similar fashion to Braunton or Sir Nigel Gresley?

However, the biggest stumbling block is likely to be the terms of the existing agreement between MHR and NRM. Does it actually allow for the possibility of mainline running, at any stage? I don't know, but I expect that the MHR will have calculated the cost of the restoration, maintenance and hire fees against the income from running the loco, on the basis of exclusive use (apart from occassional visits to other preserved lines). If someone else is wanting to use the locomotive for extended periods of time in the relatively harsh environment of the mainline, that makes a significant difference to the sums.

So chaps, anyone going to put their money and reputations on the line?

 

It seems that wont be the case, at least to begin with, because of an agreement with the MHR to overhaul he. That said, City of Truro proved successfully a similar concept to what is being suggested in this thread for limited mainline running.

Chris

 

I agree with what you are saying about the Mid Hants having a running agreement with the NRM for ? years, but I would expect Cheltenham to visit many heritage railways during the tme of its boiler ticket.
When was the last time Truro ran main line?

 

Truro ran a number of tours at the beginning of its current ticket to celebrate the supposed 100mph run (in partnership with Vintage Trains if i remember correctly).

Chris

 

Being a 4-4-0 is about the only thing 925 has in common with 3717, Schools are more recent and a more powerfull type (class 5 ?) and more realistic contenders for Mainline operation than Truro.

 

I was part of the gang that looked after Cheltenham at Bold Colliery all those years ago.

See if you can pickout whos who in the attached snap?

Not in photo order, Ian Wright, Alan Crotty, Niel Cameron, Roger Cruise and 'The Bear' (whose real name has slipped my mind).

The man in the cab is a Liverpool Driver Ossie Finn, When I explained to him that one injector didn't work and the other would only go between 180 and 210psi he said

'NOTHING was going to stop him driving this loco in Rocket 150!'

He may not have used such polite words as this though.

Alan

 

Good to see Roger looking as cheerful as ever.

 

And thinner Ian!

 

That's a great picture, let's hope that there is a similar one taken in a couple of years time.

 

The Bear - Jerry Dearmer? ( I might be thinking of a different Bear.) Was he in Trin Planning?

Cheers, Neil