John Bunch & his locos currently based on the Mid Hants

What would you call it then, as the NRM can"t afford to buy it!

 

Sorry do you work for the NRM accounts department! If you do work for them maybe you could enlighten us on what they can afford to purchase?

 

Touchy tsk tsk......

 

Thanks for the write up, will pass that on to my Dad. For some reason I had decided to go off and play cricket that day so it is my brother who is in the last clip with my Mum and my Dad filming.

 

I would call it a loco not going to the NRM. Some have suggested it would be nice, that is all.

 

Totally agreed Chris, the amount of money needed to restore it would probably mean that someone of say Jeremy Hoskings calibre would be required.

We can live in hope that maybe he might offer JB an offer he cant refuse, but I very much doubt it.

Incidentally the link with 31874 and the NRM was mooted years ago.

If my memory serves me correct, one of the national railway magazines ran a story claiming that an approach had been made to JB and was rebuffed. It was around about 1979/81.

Have a Happy New Year Chris and keep up the good work at Ropley C&W.

 

This is quite an extraordinary thread because I'm sure the man himself is reading it and having a good christmas chuckle at all the innacurate speculation. But what if he isn't? Perhaps he might even be contributing himself using an alias, though probably he isn't..... Perhaps he is me...... Perhaps he isn't.
The point is that while most of the threads on this site concern groups, or locos, or organisations, I don't think it is healthy or polite or fair to run a thread concerning the personal intentions and actions of an individual who is unable to respond himself by forum convention and protocol (and simple common sense), so should we bring this thread to a close?
(btw I am not JB - Last time I saw him (some years ago) he still had a fine head of hair , while my alias indicates I am deficient in that department).

 

Why is 31874 considered to be a hopeless case beyond the abilities of heritage railways? New boiler barrels aren't exactly the most difficult or expensive things to produce and several locos have already had them. Similarly, large chunks of frame have been fitted to several and the amount of new builds with new frames shows that even this is not difficult or hugely expensive, especially if you.ve got all the add-ons.
Any ex BR loco that has gone through two 'ten-year' boiler periods and well-used is likely to need expensive repairs of this nature.

 

How can i put this, As a person, i have no problem with JB, i always found him ok to get on with, but i was just another member of the loco dept , this isnt about him as a person, its about his engines, in hindsite, what went on only hurt everyone there was and can be no winners in that, but time moves on, the persons involved have i hope moved on,, yes there is speculation and a lot that we as mere spectators do not, and should not know that might be happening, in time i am sure all will be revealed , As a foot note, the last time i saw JB and John gibbons was at folkestone whilst watching Tangmere, they did actually remember me, Life as they say moves on.

 

Thanks for posting that Ashley as it brings back memories of very Happy Days on the ML with the MHR Daylight Railtours. That trip was one of the few that I didn't go on but 73096 was always on top form.

 

"THings" yes, but individuals I think is inappropriate. JB himself is not "In the Public Domain" - his locos are. He is a private individual. There's nothing wrong with discussing the condition of individual locos but a forum is not really appropriate to discuss the actions or intentions of an individual who is not in a position to correct errors and fallacious statements that may or may not occur. Would you like it?

 

I think that JB is probably having a chuckle or two if he is reading this thread.
Now I dont know the gentleman but I would like to think that he has no problem with this thread as it is mainly speculation. Also it has not become personal...which is good to see...

Also I dare say that he has a good idea or know what is going to happen to said locos when their agreement expires with the MHR...be it that they might stay or move to pastures new.

 

heres one for sale

IRISH Railway Photo: 2-6-0 Class K1 number 382 on CORK Shed. | eBay


Ok just a postcard, but still

 

I am not saying it isn`t beyond the capabilities of any established heritage railway to restore 31874.
I am actually very optimistic about the N`s future unlike some of the doom laden forum members who post that it is a basket case/hulk.

In fact if the loco was staying at the MHR beyond 2014, I am sure the boiler would already be in Ropley works as we speak and as for frame repairs whats being done to the front end of 30506 at the moment, shows that the MHR could tackle that as well.

However the work will not be that cheap and it will be revealed in the fullness of time whether or not the current owner can afford to put the loco through a new 10 year overhaul.

 

Ialso think that it will steam again one day, but you must wonder about your last statement, i would actually agree with you it looks that way, but we can only speculate but the repairs needed to any of the locos inquestion are well with in the capabilities of Ropley, but if i was a betting man i think that we might see 31874 and 31625 ending up at herston,

 

Gentle reminder, can we keep to the engines.

the individual and his family are not really appropriate.

 

the 3 southern locos will be going to swanage whilst bodmin is going mainline and 73096 is still unconfirmed

 

Catch up......see this thread
https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/john-bunchs-southern-moguls.300451/