Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

I hear today that the sale of 35018 has not been completed and is still owned by Richard Heather.

 

Does not look too promising does it for 35018? 1 year on from the railway press reports and still no sale.

 

Looks as though Richard will have to continue with his day job for now:

Regards
Chris:

 

Oh, well, there we are then. Shame. Moving on... I wonder how long before 35006 moves for the first time? It seems to be within a gnat's crotchet of completion.

 

does this have any thing to do with ian riley possibly getting another 5 , seeing as he was the supposed purchaser of 35018 the only way that 35018 is going to be restored now is if another purchaser comes forward, but i expect that the price that Mr Heather would want will be too high for what is now going to be a very expensive engine to restore , could the MHRPS offer to purchase it, given that there are still people with in the group that could act as middleman between the owner and MHRPS to get over personal issues that may still linger on?

 

Why would the MHRPS want it? They've already got 35005 and these engines are excessive for working the five coach trains that are the norm on the Mid Hants.

 

I wouldn't be too surprised if the hire-operational agreement for 45212 also has a knock-on effect for 35009, so its beginning to look like plans for these MNs have been shelved. I hope I'm proved wrong in due course...

 

It depends on if its true like the 35018 story (which also originated in SR). Also I'd have thought that Jeremy Hoskings would want to have 35027 back soon but I guess it depends on what takes the places of 8572 and when she's ready 4472.

Why were 35027 and 35022 moved from Southall? Because Bury seem to have a lot work going on and they could'nt be moved to Crewe because they have a lot of locos under going work there.

 

As you say, there is no way of knowing what the plans are for Crewe or Bury's next locos in for attension are, But if as expected 45212 is coming to Bury, I would expect that it will go to the head of the queue unless 35009 is far enough advanced to be able to be slotted in after 35027 , Why did 35027 and 35022 leave Southall ? probally because JH was probally advised to do so by his people who manage his locos for him

 

Hmmmmmmmm, there is some speculation going around that Richard Heather could not afford the storage fees at Portland so JB stepped in and paid them.

Because of this , it is alleged that the buyer pulled out because he was unsure of who now owned it.

Of course this is just hearsay.

Regards
Chris

 

City of Wells steamed in Haworth Yard today for the first time for some 20 years. More details and photo here: KWVR - "The Volcano" re awakens - 34092 City Of Wells.


John

 

City of Wells

Ohhhhh! This is great to see.
I have heard that she puts on quite an exciting show when out on the mainline!
That boiler looks nice and pristine. It is so great to know that City of Wells shall eventually be joining Tangmere out on mainline excursions.

 

Has that actually been announced anywhere? The KWVR report doesn't mention mainline running...


Keith

 

Where have you gleaned that info from? IIRC many years ago when the overhaul began, that was not the intention.

 

I just got a little carried away.

 

Good news, and welcome back 34092! I don't think it was the intention to put her on the mainline, certainly not yet, at any rate. There were, however, the usual murmurings in the railway press a while back saying that it may make a return in the second half of her current ticket, but I'll believe that when I see it.

As for news on all things SLL, work is concentrating on the boiler cladding of 34053 (which is quite difficult on a rebuild, particularly getting that 'shoulder' around the steam manifold valve to look right; it seems most groups restoring rebuilds have had difficulties in this area). The superheater header has been attached, and the main steam pipes are now being fitted. The chimney from unrestored 34010 has been repaired and will be fitted to 34053 in due course, and final hanging of the smokebox door has already taken place. Funds are still needed at this critical time (particularly to pay for the boiler tubes), and I am sure all donations/share purchases will be most welcome. Repairs to 34070's combination lever assembly are in an advanced stage, and 34028 is currently undergoing winter maintenance in Swanage goods shed. The 0-6-0 saddletank 'Norman' is still performing well on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway. Finally, it looks like the overhaul of 34072 has got off to a good start with the frames for its tender being machined and assembled at the Avon Valley Railway, and when complete, they will be transferred to Herston. Two new tender tanks will then be constructed, as the one on 34028's tender needs replacing. I'm sure NickT will post this on the SLL website in due course, but this info has come from the most recent SLL shareholder circular.

 

The KWVR has made it clear that there is much to be done before 34092 is ready for service and that it is the owners' decision as to whether she returns to mainline duties. She had such a successful time on the mainline before she was withdrawn that it would be a pity not to see her back on the S & C again. I had a wander down to Haworth yard today and forgot to take a camera. She was still in the open with a fire in the firebox but there is clearly a lot of work still to be done - boiler cladding and air-smoothed casing to be fitted, much work in the cab, no smoke-box door, numerous small-bore pipes running along the frame but not yet connected to anything....... 2013 may still be a reasonable estimate for her to return.


John

 

Now its officially been announced by the SVR, and mentioned on the 'Newsy News' thread, 34053 is going on a long holiday to Bridgnorth...

 

Excellent news, my very first experience of footplate work on a Bulleid was on '92 at Worthrail (I loved the steam operated firedoors!); well done to all involved.