Which NRM locos would you like to see running?

Come, come, now. They're not exactly swimming in money or resources down there. Most of what's in that siding isn't owned by the CVR, so they can't really be blamed for it. Yes, I'll admit there are one or two 'niggles' there I'd sort out before I'd give them a loco (undercover stabling, to name one) but then this is a hypothetical thread don't forget.

 

I'll second all of that!
Henners

 

In fairness to the CVR, they are not a long established line like a SVR & KWVR so it is a little unfair to expect them to set similar standards while they are still growing.

 

Batteries carried in an accompanying wagon is the logical way to go - but putting electric string up at the Tanfield would be interesting, to say the least!

 

What do you do when you get to the end of the line and need to run round for the return journey?
Going slightly OT (well, way OT), I've always thought that it would be feasible to put a suitable genset in an EMU and run it. Perhaps need to sacrifice a few seats to accommodate it but it would enable the unit to run on heritage lines at 25 mph and, as far as driving and travelling is concerned, you wouldn't know the difference.

 

Well I'd like to vote for my namesake, the large boilered Atlantic #251. We already have a nice representation of pre-6 cylinder express power with City of Truro and the Schools. Henry Oakley has run in the 1970s- perhaps in 1980? I do understand that it would take a lot of tube work to be done- (installation of correct size tubes to compensate for the removal of superheat at time of preservation).

That, and I just adore atlantics.

Best Regards,

Joshua

 

Propel the wagon containing the batteries - no reason why not; after all, there are many photos of diesels doing just that on the 'big railway' with brake tenders...

 

Getting back OT - does anyone know why the Spinner's working days were cut short after the Rainhill festivities in 1980? I don't recall seeing her about after then. I'd love to see her in operation again - gorgeous machine

 

York considered allowing 251 to steam for her centenary, but in the end decided that it couldn't be allowed as it would destroy the engine's historical integrity. I'm pretty sure they've reached the same conclusion with 990. A great shame because, as you say, she is a beautiful engine, and the lack of a working Atlantic in preservation is a major gap. It's a shame the second GNR Atlantic boiler discovered in the 1980s has now been cut up; perhaps this could have made a restoration of 251, or construction of a new GNR Atlantic, possible.
Still, at least we can look forward to the day when Beachy Head steams. She's not quite an Ivatt Atlantic but she's pretty close!

 

So rather like a Hampshire or Hastings DEMU?

 

Isn't the spare GNR Atlantic boiler being used to build Beachy Head, it's boiler is described as being from a GNR Atlantic? Since the LBSCR Atlantics were designed by a man - Douglas Earle Marsh - who had been an apprentice to Henry Ivatt they are largely copies of the GNR ones.

 

As I understand it there were two boilers, one salvaged and now slated for Beachy Head and the second, broken up for scrap. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

D.E.Marsh was indeed an apprentice to Ivatt. I suspect he had permission to build them for the LBSCR although also copyright and patenting laws weren't quite so rigid then, as I understand. No Apple suing Samsung for creating a rectangular piece of white plastic with a screen for instance.

 

A new smokebox with the chimney moved forward would allow the superheater to be reinstated and make the loco a lot more useful than when it last steamed. That and fitting piston valves in place of slide valves that were fitted when it was restored.

 

Has to be the Midland Compound for me. Get it double-heading with Leander with a rake of Blue/Grey Mark 1s and wait for snowfall on the S&C to repeat a railtour they did in the early 80s.

 

Slightly biased but 30245,30737,33001,34051 and 35029, all in BR livery would be nice.

Just to show I'm not quite completely blinkered I would also go for MR 1000 and 42500.

 

Writing in the late 1960s (i.e. at a time when he would have been able to speak to people involved in Gladstone's preservation and restoration), HJ Campbell-Cornwall wrote, in "William Stroudley, Craftsman of Steam":

Writing at a similar time, DL Bradley, in "Locomotives of the LB&SCR" broadly confirms that account, except to note that the boiler was one of the 1901 - 1902 Vulcan Foundry series, which were Stroudley pattern replacements for the original boilers. Bradley also notes the price paid by the SLS - £140! - which viewed through today's eyes looks like the bargain of the century!

Bradley goes on to say:

It is entirely feasible that many of the men in Brighton works who worked on her were the same men who had built her in the first place. It is also probable that the paint finish is one of three genuinely historic Stroudley finishes, painted by men who new how it was originally done, using original paint - the others being "Boxhill", also in the NRM, and the model of "Como" in Brighton Museum. I think the arguments put forward for Lode Star being a time capsule of Swindon practice apply equally to Gladstone, but they are a time capsule of what is essentially pre-grouping practice.

Tom

 

Unfortunately, the engine has been repainted twice since her initial restoration: first when she passed into BTC ownership, and again in 1977. However, I would agree with you that in other respects she is a time capsule and should be left as she is.

However, if we want to see an 0-4-2 tender engine running again there is another possibility. The Avon Valley Railway has an LSWR T1 boiler, and I understand they have a long-term aspiration to use this as the basis for a new-build project. However, the T1s were apparently almost identical the A12 class ("Jubilees"). Would be feasible to use the T1 boiler to recreate an A12? Since we already have three LSWR 0-4-4Ts preserved an A12 would arguably fill a bigger gap; and surely, such a plan would also find support from those who want to see 563 restored! Just a thought...?

 

Great Central Railway Robinson 4-4-0 506 Butler Henderson on home territory on the Great Central Railway 62660 Butler Henderson - YouTube

 

For me it has to be the beautifull Secr D 737, assuming that she is restorable, i wouldn't want to see an engine that has already been steamed in preservation returned to steam at the cost of one that hasn't, but is in suitable condition for a return to use either on the mainline or preserved railways, the only one that i would change my mind over is 6229 because an streamlined dutchess at speed has to be an awesome sight ,and she is different now that how she was last time she was out

 

Thanks for the information about Gladstone gents, fascinating detail... Got to say I'd still love to see it in steam, but that's me being fairly selfish ;-)