WELSH PONY 2013

I think I am right in saying that to restore Mountaineer is going cost more than just a few bob and also I recall that there is something about what happens to her if she was ever to leave the FR, may be Andrew T could tell us more I know of one other line that she would be more than suitable for if it could be arranged.

 

The plans for 2013 (150th anniversary of steam on the FR) are complex and, as yet, not set in stone.

 

The cost wouldn't be astronomical but it does require a fair amount of work to make it good again. A new tube plate or possibly whole inner firebox is required. Also a redesign of the piston valves would solve quite a few problems. Not to mention the fact its had the bare minimum done to keep it going for a long time now. The loco gained a lot of fans particularly among the loco crews during its last stint. So hopefully there will be plenty of support when the overhaul does start. It would be a shame for it to miss its 100th birthday though in 2016

There is another 2-6-2t we would all much rather send to Devon by the way.

 

I thought Mountainer was earmarked for the eventual restoration of the Bryngwyn branch? Or is that not common knowledge?

 

No it isn't. Mainly because it will never happen.

Palmerston, Prince and Pony could happen. And sooner than people might imagine. Princess is beyond economic repair, but that does not preclude her playing a significant role in the run-up to 2013.

 

What's the Bryngwyn branch when it's at home?

 

Try Festipedia for starters: http://www.festipedia.org.uk/wiki/Bryngwyn_branch

 

I thought that these engines were considered to be too underpowered to make them worthwhile as a restoration project. Perhaps the politics has changed ...

Personally I'd like very much to see 'Mountaineer' back in service.

Regards

 

If decisions like that were made purely on what's best for services on the FR/WHR when you'd have nothing but Double Fairlies and Garratts powering trains, luckily there's a bit of sentiment/enthusiast mixed in with the business head.

I agree Princess should be left alone as being 'authentic' Pony is different in being a Larger England but Princess woulden't offer anything that Prince/Palmerston can't.

 

How is Princess beyond economic repair......i was under the impression she was in a better state of repair than welsh pony.....but i personally would rather see welsh pony out rather than prince who looks like hes on steroids.

I would be willing to donate to princess or welsh pony.

 

It's not beyond economic repair. There is a lot more of princess and welsh pony than there was of Palmerston. Princess is just a victim of some over sentimental nonsense about being the last loco running when the railway closed. It's not really authentic anyway. Plenty of bits have been repaired, replaced, stolen or borrowed over the years. At least it will no longer be taking up valuable pub space.

 

Palmerston was surely beyond economic repair - but a few people didn't care about the economics and did it anyway!

 

Sooner or later every part will need replacing....

Once welsh pony is restored.....then there will only be one more to do

 

There seems to be some confusion here between 'preservation' and 'restoration'. Princess is a museum piece reflecting its condition at a certain point in time. There aren't many such items left. So it is reasonable, since there are others working (and quite possibly containing bits of Princess!) to keep at least one of the little chaps 'preserved' as opposed to 'restored'. Restoration of a seriously worn out historic engine to running order may be fun, but it destroys some of its value as a museum piece for study by future generations, and seems especially silly in a case where others of the same class are already running.

Welsh Pony, on the other hand, is simply derelict, and would need a significant amount of work to make it an acceptable museum object (except perhaps for those interested in what sea air can do to a big piece of metal) so there is no real loss if it was made a runner - either way a fair bit of it would be new.

 

I like 'Princess' where she is, she adds to the ambience, and I always try to sit nearby when I have dinner at Spooners.

Regards

 

If I had the money (big if) I would be looking at purchasing the cob records storage building in the car park and extending across from spooners to it. Windows out on the road/railway from there would be great for a new cafe. Then spooners gets more space as it is extended into the current cafe and the shop would perhaps get some more space too.

princess would be moved to the new museum at minffordd like the engine house at the svr for locos and heritage carrs/waggons and an education centre.

 

Very well said.

 

Princess is hardly in as found condition because she has two two repaints.....Green and then Maroon....

 

And has a cab made of pop-rivetted biscuit tins.

 

Huntley & Palmers???