Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

IMHO, I get the feeling that all 5 loco,s will move on the same day?

We shall see in 2 years time as what i said above is pure speculation.

Regards
Chris:

 

I wonder if anyone would take all three Southern moguls on?

 

Who knows Lee?, though the "N" might go to the NRM?

Regards
Chris:

 

With any luck Chris if the NRM are in the market for purchasing 31874 maybe we could retain the loco at Ropley or move it to Eastleigh for overhaul.

 

With West Cost Railways now purchasing 35018 from Richard Heather would they want to buy another Bulleid? Also how many steam locos does WCR want or need on their books?

 

It depends on whether the powers-that-be at Carnforth are in the market for collecting the set of Bulleids. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility, though, so let's wait and see.

I was on the Mid Hants yesterday; a really enjoyable day out with 31806 and 45379 in steam. What struck me was that the volunteers were really taking an interest and engaging with the passengers, which is excellent as it enhances the experience no end. As such, it is a railway that has really improved its outlook since my last visit five years ago, and is a credit to all involved. However, it really is surprising how grotty 34016 has become after only four years in storage. 34007 was in the yard, and 34105 was in bits as expected. No sign of 34058, but I believe this is currently stored down the Alresford headshunt.

 

That would be one hell of an overhaul Lee.

You are talking about replacing/renewing just about everything. Boiler barrel, the frames, the tender, you name it and it is knackered.

regards
Chris:

 

Maybe the future of 31874 will be as a static museum exhibit... At least its getting a new coat of paint for the gala in September. Better than the garish Jimbo the 'crimson-hued engine' scheme it currently has.

 

I personally agree with you there about 31874 being both as a static exhibit and about the livery too, though someone might want to restore it when the agreement is up.

Two years is a long time to speculate

Regards
Chris.

 

Maybe not another Bulleid but 73096 would be very usefull, its the only class 5 that can run at 75mph and is almost as strong as an W/C it would be an go anywhere haul anything loco and as such ideal for when one of their larger engines isnt availible as regards 34016, she actually dont need that much work , her boiler was repaired last time round to be fit for a 20 year life with not much needing to be done at the 10 year mark mechanically though i dont know ,

 

Boiler barrel? i didnt know about that, the firebox has a patch that is life expired and will need new copper sides and probally new half sides as well as crown stays full retube new superheaters etc, tube plates , I thought the frame problem was a crack behind one of the drivers i imagine this would be a welded repair?
I for one would love to see the N join the NRM, she is after all the last member of that class the only question i have is that given the past history, would the members of the MHR dig deep enough to pay for its restoration if it was thought theasable or would it end up at Bodmin because if the NRM were to have 31874 i would imagine they would jump at the chance to get an maunsel mogol

 

The N class has a very important history to tell, being along with Urie's creations on the LSWR one of the very first truly modern locomotives in Britain - outside valve gear, superheat, taper boiler etc. You've got the Woolwich connection as well, although I don't think 31874 is a Woolie? Still, a future on static display in the NRM wouldn't be a bad thing for such a loco, especially if particularly tired mechanically, although Martin's second post may give a glimmer of hope. And with so many U-boats around, which are almost identical, it would not be too great a loss.

 

Yes Martin, i believe the work described is what needs doing, the firebox needing a lot of work. As for the frames you are indeed right, i am led to believe that the crack is behind one of the rear drivers and was poorly repaired by BR back in the early 60`s.

I am also led believe that she will need a new drag box and cab substructure, just how bad all this is, will i suppose only really be known once the loco is taken apart.

Someone at Ropley told me that it could be as bad as having to do a `Bittern` repair and hack off the rear 3rd of the frames on both sides and weld in new material!

 

I think 31874 is a Woolwich built loco. I am pleased it is being a bit of a spruce up cosmetically, the line up outside Ropley doesn't look particularly attractive as you view it at close quarters! Sir Frederic Pile is tucked away in the headshunt at Alresford and not easy to see. Interesting that 45379 was running last weekend in preference to Wadebridge, hope 34007 will be back to full health for the gala in a couple of months.

Moguls at Ropley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

View attachment 5074

35008 Orient Line - sans plates at Waterloo late afternoon on 8th July 1967, the day before the last rites - with all the excitement of the 45th anniversary of steams demise on the Southern , thought this may bring back a few memories to some , who like myself experienced it - this was my last trip from Southampton to Waterloo behind a Merchant non stop.

Cheers Richard

 

Following on from Swanage's post, its going to be one hell of an expensive job, given this do you think JB will sell, after all that is the great unknown, if as rumoured, 34016 and 73096 are going to be sold to West Coast , then that leaves just the three mogols, 31806, which has just had an overhaul and 31625 and 31874 both needing work , if he was to sell up then 31806 will sell very easily tickited maunsel mogols are not exactly ten a penny, that would pay for either or the other two to be given contract overhauls.
one side issue is this, the owner is not active with in standard gauge railways now, he i believe drives for the welsh highland and is operations manager for Tangmere, now if as expected either 34016 or 73096 come part of WC's fleet, then he would i immagine be operations manager for these as well giving West Coast a southern based stable of 4 engines that fit all routes in the south , plus of course British india line he might well decide that thats all he wants , of course, who knows what might happen with either 31806 or 31625, i would not bet against one of these joining tangmere at Southall at some stage

 

Once again NP gives you the facts lol :thumb:

 

If being operations manager for Tangmere - and part of the support crew at times IIRC - isn't classed as being active in standard gauge railways then I don't know what is.

 

Anyway, the topic is starting to turn to wibble...

 

Only if you're wearing your underpants on your head and a pencil up each nostril.