Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

I also have to ask the same about 35018... beginning of the year it seemed to be reported of various swaps with parts from 35009 but nothing seems to have happened unless 35018 secretly entered the works without anyone knowing!

 

To be fair there is a rather pressing overhaul/repair of another Pacific going on at Bury.

 

Last I heard, 35018 was still at Portland.

 

And on a similar theme, what of 34058? Has it moved to the Mid Hants yet?

 

Most of it has, including 2 x PMV vans full of spares.

A long term project methinks.

Regards
Chris:

 

True and whilst that would halt work on a further Pacific, surely it shouldn't stop it from moving there at least?

Was 35018 moving to ELR and swapping parts with 35009 ever officially confirmed anyway? I know it was in the magazines but i never noticed any other announcement?

 

Sir Keith Park's boiler was reunited with its frames on Tuesday 22nd November:

Southern Locomotives Ltd | Latest News

https://picasaweb.google.com/116839141471298057728/Restoration2011#5678280770572948178

 

Excellent news! Looking forward to the unveiling.

 

34058 moved to the MHR some months ago.

 

I'd like to know this two.
Also, are any of the Merchant Navy locos at Ian Riley's Shop Inside and being Worked on?

 

As of my last visit to Baron street, early Sept 2011, 35027 is being worked on, 9 and 22 largely untouched, although 9's frames have been reunited with pony and bogie wheels

 

Well, from the magazines and general info that I've heard, it would seem that Mr. Riley himself did state his intentions to do so. And parts from 35018 had been arriving at Bury, whether the whole engine is there or not I cannot say, but from the info I've heard, there does appear to be a general belief that it's there.

Personally I think that if Ian Riley states his intentions to do something, then most likely it will happen, once he gets his mind set on something theres no stopping him! His obsession for getting his engines steaming as quickly as possible, is only matched by his obsession with black paint! I'm telling you, if he had Jeremy Hosking's collection, he'd paint every single one of them black! Imagine it, Black Royal Scot, Black King Edward I, Black Nunney Castle, etc. Not that I'm complaining though, black seems to suit most engines...

 

Is anyone happy that Clan Line's destination for it's next run is Dover?

 

Well I think that is his plan for 35018 to paint her BR Black with early crest (as it is on 44871, 45407 and when he owned her 76079) although 35009 is going BR Blue like 35005 back in the late 90's which I thought looked stunning and Black will look good as well.

As for 35028 I see she is down for a Steam Dreams from Waterloo to Weymouth on July 9th on Steam Dreams website which is quite exciting.

 

When were three Battle of Britains last under the same roof? 34070 Manston, 34053 Sir Keith Park and 34072 257 Squadron are all currently at Herston works. Some photos here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/116839141471298057728/Restoration2011#5684593724781180834

Manston is in the workshop temporarily for repairs to the valve gear, which suffered damage in October. Sir Keith Park is in the last stages of restoration; the boiler is on the frames, the cab is back on too, and pipework which was removed for the boiler lift is being replaced. 257 Squadron awaits overhaul, due to start in 2012.

 

Wasn't the smokebox door put on prior to the boiler going back in? Where did it go?

 

Yes, the smokebox door has been repaired and was fitted. The smokebox was "loosely" attached to the boiler when it was put on the frames as the smokebox can't be place over the flange of the boiler unless it's off the frames. The door was taken off to simplify handling and access and will be replaced when everything that needs to be attached to (or via) the smokebox has been (superheater header, elements, etc.)

Both wind deflectors were also fitted at one point, but they get in the way of other work, so are removed at present.

https://picasaweb.google.com/116839141471298057728/Restoration2011#5653943776518703762

 

Thanks for the update, Nick.

 

Fans of Bulleid and his loco's will find the January 2012 issue (out tommorrow) of Steam World interesting. It has an article on some of his "what might have been" designs with some excellent drawings and paintings by John G Click who worked for Oliver Bulleid. Rather interesting is a picture of a Q1 in airsmoothed casing. I wonder if the NRM could be persuaded to turn 33001 out in this guise? The mag is also worth buying for the free calendar which features a superb picture of 34105 Swanage racing through the snow near Pirbright in 1959.

 

I remember seeing in books the proposed designs for the Leader's which included tank versions of his airsmoothed pacifics and of the Q1. They looked quite nice actually.