6023

This is such a shame and I've refrained from posting and have digested instead. I've been financially supporting this project for a couple of years now and I feel heart broken by it now. I was emotionally turned seeing her move for the first time and now read these stories it's horrible. The last piece I read in the Echo, which in the latest edition is a small paragraph towards the end was that the mechanical works were complete and that the specialist welding was to be done / letting of contract with the specialist contractor.

James

 

I was up at Didcot last Sunday, and there was no sign of any vandalism/graffiti. Of course it could've been painted over/removed by the time I saw it. How long ago was the vandalism reported? I am appalled that someone would consider doing such a thing. Let's hope there is an announcement soon re: how much work there is left to do and a rough timescale.

Here's hoping the GWS don't have another moron attempt this, one would hope the book is thrown at anyone who dares attempt it!

James at SVN

 

How does the GWS work with all its different projects and interests: are there specific groups that have their own management and structure that, in a sense, operate as a completely separate entity within the Didcot site? Are they allowed to set their own procurement and contractors standards?

 

i suspect the "vandalism" was probably chalk...I've often seen witty chalkings at Didcot, one I recall was a guards van labelled "not to work down Dogger Bank".

Its a sad situation, I was in Didcot recently and always I am so impressed with the standards and the progress being made, but once personalites clash n any organisation it takes a very strong Mangement to pull things round (or knock heads together) .

I suppose all the parties involved wouldn't meet up for a pint if I paid would they?

 

Each project has an engineer / leader.
Up until recently, when a restoration project co-ordinator was appointed, many of the projects did their own thing within their own budget constraints.
This occasionally led to problems such as "why didn't X tell Y they were having such and such cast from the pattern they had made 'cos we needed one too".
Hence the project co-ordinator.
However the 6023 team appear not to be part of this.
As I said above,... It's as if 6023 no longer belongs to the GWS. But that's only my feelings.

That aside, decisions have been made by the GWS Council in the light of recent happenings which will shortly become apparent.

The sad thing is, whoever is at fault, 6023 belongs to the GWS, so what ever happens in the future with the loco will reflect on the GWS not the individuals.

 

Just heard a rumour it's sitting outside the shed at Loughborough?

 

Had a text from a friend yesterday who said it was sat outside the shed at Didcot awaiting a lorry movement to the GCR. A bit later, 6023 had gone, so is on its way there now for finishing off and testing.

James at SVN

 

Certainly looks like Quorn to me!
Excellent news for the GCR...

Allelys Heavy Haulage DAF 95XF W958RWP & 6023 King Edward ll | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Allelys Heavy Haulage DAF XF95-530 BU04MHK | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Steve (not my photo's)

 

Good news day!- though typically I'm about to depart to even warmer climes so can't pop over to see her.

 

So now the cats out of the bag, I wonder how long the King will be staying for? No update on the GCR website or 6023 website yet. I understand keeping things quiet whilst in the 'negotiation' stage but a big blue thing arriving on a low loader is a pretty big giveaway!
Steve

 

When 5029 was finished we spent a very happy month midweek putting the miles on her/him..... now must find the video that was on Local TV of the testing.

.....Ian H

Happy days

 

Well as steve says the cats out of the bag. At the moment we are not sure how long we will be with 6023 at the GCR as this depends on how long the approved boiler contractor will take to finish the job off. We hope to finish off the mainline wiring as although it looked as nothing was going on with 6023 we were quite busy sorting this over the past couple of months. Obviously once the boiler is finished off then we will be doing a bit more running in to prove the boiler work.

 

And without its brass safety valve bonnet ?

 

LOL Once bitten,... and all that!!

 

Originally Posted by ADB968008
And without its brass safety valve bonnet ?

Reminds me of the Manfred Mann song " Haha said the clown as the king lost his crown " .
Glad to see the King being finished ,should be an impressive sight and sound on the 60mph test runs.

 

Be nice if it was still there early next year for the winter gala...

 

So excited!

 

Hopefully it won't be long before shes back in steam and hopefully the plan is still for her to go mainline.

 

My Uncle saw 6023 on the move the other day, he's not into steam locos but said that it was a blue loco, named King Edward II and had green wheels?

 

Im not in charge or connected with 6023 in any way, but in my view with all the troubles that have been going on I can't help thinking that packing 6023 off to Tyseley ASAP would of been a better bet.
Their knowledge of mainline workings, GWR four cylinder machines and reputation are second to none when its comes to professionalism.
I think many heads and investors heads would nod in agreement and would of given the 6023 team huge credibility to pass it on to Mr Meanley to take the king to the next stage.

Just my thoughts as we all want to see her on the mainline ASAP