Pre grouping locos

And it was probably due to the fact that they survived longer in service on BR (thanks Hayling Island), and due to Butlins putting some on display. The southern region inherited more pre-group locos, and kept many of them in service for longer than elsewhere. So when the Bluebell and KESR went shopping they could buy such locos out of service. And coaches to go with them. As for the other early starters, the DVR went for highly appropriate GWR tanks, which were also available, and the Severn Valley seemed to acquire larger GWR and LMS tender locos. The KWVR is a bit off my radar (must correct that one day) but from photos I've seen (and the Railway Children!) had quite a mixture, with some early gems amongst them. I suspect that the north/south divide had more to do with availability and need rather than anything else.

Steve B

 

I'm not sure there actually is a north-south divide! It's true, the LNWR is poorly represented in preservation, especially for such a major pre-grouping line. But in pure numbers terms, there are for example 36 preserved pre-grouping locos from those companies that ultimately made up the LNER. That is rather better than the number of preserved pre-grouping Southern locos! Of course, the early set up of the York Museum played a part in that success.

(Source: http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/preserve_pres_lne.htm)

Tom

 

Something else he learned at Swindon?

 

Ah yes, thanks, I'd forgotten the LNER. (After all, I was only brought up within spitting distance of the GNR main line in North London). Again, the survival of such locos perhaps reflects the way they were kept in service for longer than on the LMS, and the NYMR provided some of them a home quite early on.

 

Although I have doubts about.many of the new builds and conversions, really only Lady of Legend and the 4700 get me excited, I do think it's a pity the war memorial new build wasn't a replica of the Claughton "Patriot". It really would be interesting to see the performance of one with just a few modifications (piston rings, grate, heavier frames) and in good fettle. ... But just dreaming!

Sent from my HTC One mini using Tapatalk

 

Please bear in mind that pre-grouped locos are often difficult to restore. Consider the amount of riveting that is required in frame and structure?

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In fairness, the thread isn't about restoring them (although I don't see why they would be any more difficult to restore)....it's about future replicas.

 

Doesn't seem to have stopped the Bluebell from having an impressive pre grouping line up.

 

I'd love to see the elegant Edwardian Cambrian Sharp-Stewart 4-4-0 on a rake of 4 wheelers pulling out of Oswestry. That's one for when I win the lottery.
Practically speaking the boiler is not much larger than a big traction engine and with the advances in poly patterns even complex inside cylinders become possible. Ah well back to reality. Or should I start a Facebook page...