The 45170 Appeal - Preserving Scotland's 8f

In Maude, 419, Morayshire and 80105 the SRPS have an enviable fleet.

 

Issue with 80105 is that she is privately owned (as you say) by LOGS and she could be returned to service within a year but unfortunately certain members of the group are taking it upon themselves to do a complete stripdown to the bare bones which will increase the times she is out by at least another 5 years - which is unfortunate as standard tanks are just fantastic machines!

I would like to think so! With funds not going to the 8f and considering the fact she had a heavy bottom end overhaul between 2010 and 2012 (I think Steam_Mad will correct me if I'm wrong) it is mainly boiler work with some bottom end attention. Plus there's the fact she is a dream machine to fire and does look the dogs b*****ks in her new livery. I for one will be massively disappointed if she ends up sitting in a museum for 4 or 5 years... (although that is nothing compared to Maude's 13 years!)

 

It's that conflict in all support group between those that enjoy working on the loco and those that enjoy the loco working. If an owning group is more engineering based than operational it is probably frustrating to hand it over for others to break!

 

Any loco that is having a heavy general done is stripped down completely. What do you think needs doing to get 80105 running within a year?

 

I worded what I meant incorrectly. I was speaking to a director of logs who was saying that the work needing done would be a retube of the boiler and new pistons - the pistons have been made. However one member (who basically claims the loco as his) has decided that the wheels are going for turning and A through Z other jobs are to be done.

Can't make money with a loco that is just sitting gathering dust though! The majority of those that enjoy the loco working are the same people that worked on the loco during her restoration from barry condition, its just that over time certain egos have grown and are getting in the way - based on what I'm told, the members I speak to have been part of SRPS/LOGS for longer than I've been alive!

 

So the axleboxes and hornguides don't need refurbishing after 10 years work then? That includes pony, bogie and drivers. I have no doubt that a great deal of re-bushing will need to be done, as well. Have the tubes been removed from the boiler yet to enable the boiler inspector to thoroughly inspect the boiler and firebox?. I could go on and on.

 

Ultimately, the more thoroughly you do the job, the more reliable the loco will eventually be.

 

Sure, but couldn't that balance be different for different groups? If the owners group as a whole enjoys doing the engineering more than running the loco, and don't have any other projects waiting that they wish to work on, then why shouldn't they hit every last detail if that's what gives them satisfaction? It is, after all, essentially a hobby...

 

After ten years on a short preserved railway at low speeds with light loads?

 

Yes.

 

In that case it makes a good case for Austerities and Lord Roberts, no bogies, no pony trucks, no superheaters, no tenders to have to do. Cheaper to do and quicker.

 

It appears that the appeal is back on according to the SRPS steam website. They could make excellent use of a heavy hauler for steam railtours.

 

http://www.srpssteam.com/news/news2014-08-20.htm
http://www.srpssteam.com/news/8F Appeal.htm

 

The word is that the SRPS are looking to proceed with the purchase. Discussions with the present owners are likely to progress and reach a conclusion.

 

Does anyone have the latest news ?

 

Hopefully some news in the next week or two, everything is being prepared as we speak!

 

Updates will be available on the facebook page once the appeal has been formally launched - https://www.facebook.com/45170Appeal

However for those without facebook we hope to set up a website to keep you up to date!