GWR 'Dean Goods' no. 2516 - suggested restoration in Steam Railway issue no. 401

when you say you have "found" a boiler, do you mean you have acquired it or just know of it's existance?

 

We are currently debating choices of number for the loco and artwork for the project in the group if you wish to voice your opinions on those,

That's where you began o lose credibility with me!

 

Likewise, that and the discussion on the Facebook page about if it should have a name. Such matters are surely insignificant until much further down the line? Much as I would love to see a Dean Goods out and about I can't help but feel this is another fly-by-night FB project (but feel free to prove me wrong )

 

"when you say you have "found" a boiler, do you mean you have acquired it or just know of it's existance?"

Know of its existence - I am one for saying things how they are, and that is how it is, we have found one, rather than acquired it.


"That's where you began o lose credibility with me!"
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"Likewise, that and the discussion on the Facebook page about if it should have a name. Such matters are surely insignificant until much further down the line? Much as I would love to see a Dean Goods out and about I can't help but feel this is another fly-by-night FB project (but feel free to prove me wrong )"

That's entirely fair enough, nobody has to agree with me/us or support us, here! The only reason we initiated discussions about names and numbers was because we had originally planned for the name and/or number to be part of the project's identity. Since then we have changed this and have decided that, for the same reasons you give, the discussions should be dropped. Do remember that this is baby steps for us all. Despite working with the likes of David Bradshaw and some of his team, the people actually directly involved in the project have not done this before, and so are all of course learning as we go. Nevertheless, if the circumstances were any different - i.e. we didn't want the number or name to be part of the project's identity - it wouldn't have been mentioned once - we like to think we have learned from the mistakes of other Facebook based groups.

I do hold my ground on the artwork, though, as we need to create a identity for the project, which will of course need things like emblems, logos, etc - things to put on merchandise for fundraising.


Thank you all for your opinions.

 

Hmmmm Not being a GWR man myself and being particularly cynical with new build groups picking the paint via Facebook I do actually think a Dean Goods is a cracking subject of a new build. They were a common site for well over half a century and the GW scene is much the poorer without one of these big domed open cabbed machines chuffing around. I am surprised nobody hasn't actually had a go at one already considering the commonality of parts across the range.

Is this the group to do it? Is Stuart Reader (or whatever his name was) involved? Is this another nameplate going in Dad's shed? Only time will tell....

 

Can't say I've even heard of Stuart Reader, so no he certainly isn't involved! And we were quite surprised nobody else has gone ahead with something like this already, too.

 

Exactly my sentiments! However, I still think though that more schemes need to be finished, or at least be at "the end of the beginning" stage before a single new one is started. It is far more sensible than most though.

P.H.

 

Just curious...can you tell us the average age of those involved?

 

:doh: oh no...

 

It is far more sensible than most though.

This is what we want to be hearing - thank you!


Just curious...can you tell us the average age of those involved?

Well no, not really - if you include all the members of the Facebook group the ages must vary from early teens well into 40s and beyond. I myself, along with the vice-chairman, am 16 - make of that what you will but personally I believe age is, in this sense and many others, absolutely no object, and am nothing but wholly determined to prove those who are skeptical or doubtful - due to age or otherwise - wrong, and we are all endeavouring to do exactly that.

 

I for one wish you every success with your aspirations.

However from past experience on here don't let those who will take enormous pleasure in patronising and belittling your dreams put you off, old supporters of the movement started out as young supporters.

If you don't want to support them fine but they are not seeking money or anything at this stage. ... let the project grow!

 

Many thanks indeed! We know full well exactly what you mean, and appreciate it!

 

We get many posts on Nat Pres questioning the future of steam and heritage railways as the original dreamers get older and fade away yet we are quick to condemn the young and enthusiastic who essentially seek to follow in their footsteps. Railway preservation essentially started with youth and enthusiasm, and little else.

 

I can only echo and agree with your comments, Steve, and of course thank you also for posting them in the first place - only the truth, which so many nowadays ignore. The amazing thing that has become the Great Western Society as we know it today, with so many locomotives and supporters to its name, one of the best known and respected groups by far in the entire preservation scene, was started by 4 humble schoolboys who disagreed with the lack of a 1400 Class in preservation.

 

Forgive me if it has been explained before but what is the Bubble Car Project? Another suggestion for livery, number etc How about either Manchester and Milford Railway Dean Goods Numbers 10,11 or 12?

 

The Bubble Car Project is a totally separate project which I am also chairman of, and was also recently founded, the goal of which is to acquire and run Class 122 Bubble Car E55012.

With regards to the livery and number, we anticipate that the Dean will end up running in pretty much every feasible livery (i.e. every livery the class actually wore) and will see a variety of different numbers. We are most definitely open to helping recreate different scenes from the fantastic history of the class including with changes of livery. Doing so is only suitable!

 

don't get me wrong, I'm just trying to gauge how your group will pan out.

Certainly something should be done to utilise this boiler and a GWR 0-6-0 out and about would be great.

I would think your first steps should be to find out if the boiler is availble and have it inspected to ascertain it's condition.

 

The boiler is indeed for sale and it should be in pretty good nick as it was until relatively recently being used as a stationary boiler after being replaced as the boiler-to-be for 9629 - though having been converted first for use on a 5700 and then for use as a stationary boiler it will certainly require conversion back to Dean Goods condition at least. How much they want for it we will hopefully find out soon.

 

Are you sure it was converted to 57xx before it was converted for stationary boiler use? First I've heard of it. Ray.

 

a word of caution about stationery boilers, i recall hearing of one being cut up somewhere and how many wheelbarrow loads of scale came out of it,noone ever,it seemed, washed out the wash out boiler! Not sure I follow the chronology of the conversions there....was it not a stationery boiler BEFORE it was acquired for 9629?