Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

35005 might not available but should that chance of steamable MN's arise, 35027 could possibly be back before 35028 is withdrawn (2016 isn't it?). But its hard to tell with 35027 as news is very quiet on that front since her move to Bury (not even sure how far into her overhaul she was at Southall before the move).

I hope that when 35018 returns it gets a go on the Royal Wessex/Bath and Bristol tours that start at Three Bridges. It'd be nice to see 34046 occasionally on them as well as whilst I like Tangmere its nice to get a break from her every once in a while. Although there's a Royal Wessex due in 2 weeks time I think that's meant to be 34067 so not sure whether it'll be her.

 

Well, I should think there is a good chance for 35018 to show her paces at some point- 35005 laid down a gauntlet when it ran over the S&C...
Anyway, probably better in the 'What's Going On' thread, but the current situation of the pools as I see it:

'Scottish Pool':
62005
44871
45407

'Northern Pool':
46233
48151 (of limited value as a Class 8 due to low top speed)
60009
60103 (when finished)
46115
45690 (when finished)
45699 (who's to say this won't move south when 45690 is finished?)

'Southern Pool':
6024 (when finished)
60019
5029
34046
34067 (when fit)
70000 (when fit)
44932 (although might head north for the August season)

'Free Radicals' (moving between pools):
71000 (when overhauled)
70013
61994 (flits between Scottish and Northern pools)
45212 (presumably used in a similar fashion to 44871 and 45407 when finished)
45231

'Occasional Use':
6023 (when certified)
60007 (when available/not on NYMR duties)
4079 (when finished)
61264

'Very Rare Use or Vintage Trains Only':
35028 (VRU)
5043 (VT)
7029 (VT when finished)
4936 (VRU)
4965 (VT)
The Panniers (VT/9466)

'Not Used by WCRC'
2007 (when complete, assuming the situation between A1 and WCRC hasn't been resolved)
60163
61306 (certainly not at the moment)

'Remains to be Seen':
35027
46100
72010 (when complete)

So there is a preponderance of Class 6 and below in the north with two Class 8s and one Class 7 generally available. However, considering the nature of some of the routes and the high loadings experienced, unless 70013 is based at Crewe/NRM, there is no Class 7 coverage should 46115 fail. This means that there is a high reliance upon the Class 5 fleet, with inherent limitations on loadings and speeds.

Down south is a different issue, and it is one of fleet availability. However, on paper, the glut of Class 7 motive power is more than adequate to cover needs when 75 per cent of them are fit to run. As such, I'd place 35018 in the 'Free Radical' pool to go where it is needed...

 

I am sure you are right that 05 won't be back before 28 goes out of ticket, however the clan line boys have prepared for what will be a quick overhaul by already doing a lot of the works to the loco it now just needs the boiler work! So I imagine we will see 05 and 28 together when 28 gets back into steam following an over haul.

 

With 35018 I expect it will depend where the support crew is based and how far they are prepared to travel. Who actually owns it West Coast or John Bunch's inlaws or someone else ?

While I agree on paper there is a glut of motive power down South ( when they are fit to run) availability of support crews is of greater concern.

 

i should imagine that 35018 will be operated by the same people who operate Tangmere, either on behalf of West Coast or as part of some pool, this will enable both locos to to be rotated and allow time out for washouts ,maintaince etc, who knows, the plan could well be for 35018 to replace 34067 whilst she has work done, i think you will eventually see a pool of 34016, 34067,35018 and 73096 based at Southall, operated by west coast

 

That will be a brilliant pool of Southern loco's.


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From what I gather, 35018 is WCRC-owned, but whether JB has a financial stake in it, I'm not sure. I seem to recall he was in close contact with the previous owner and had a hand in the sale to WCRC, so its not beyond the bounds. Shame if it does spend all its time down south, as there's plenty of interesting options for it elsewhere.

 

....and going a lot further back, here she is at Barry in April 1974

 

The thought of having a number of Merchant Navies lined up in steam does really excite me, though I'll be most intrigued to see how they turn out 35018 back in service too, considering her unique history.

From what I know, 35018 was the first MN to be rebuilt, and as a result was little different then all the ones rebuilt after. I'd personally like to see it restored in that form, complete with early BR emblem, would certainly allow it to stick out from it's classmates and be recognised for it's historical significance.

Though lets get her running first though, shall we...?

 

Very interesting and heartening to see 72010 in the mix from Mr BP - though its a good few years away . it will be at the upper reaches of class 6. 4472 however will be in the mix ( As a free radical?) in a couple of years (FC) but will be closer to a 7 than an 8...

 

I too would like to see her in that form. Or at least with an early crest as no Green MN has carried it in preservation (one of the things that surprises me is how small the crest was on the tender). The early crest is authentic for 35018 and 35022. Not sure about any others though.

 

Oh, I'm an optimist... To be honest, its been so long out of service, I forgot about 60103. I'd say it'll be predominantly a 'Northern Pool' loco and used on the Scarboroughs throughout the summer, with the occasional long-distance stint in the south to bookend the summer season.

 

35010 and 35025 were also early cresters in rebuilt form. 35011 was an interesting one, as it received a cut-down tender with a late crest whilst in original form, whilst 35028 was coupled to a full-height tender with late crest prior to rebuilding.

 

You can clearly see the different style of the forward sandbox, which is rather more boxy and has a much more substantial filler tube than the 'production' rebuilds.

 

Now that you mention it I think I saw a picture of 35025 rebuilt with the early crest and pictures of 35028 in original condition with late crest (she was the last to be rebuilt wasn't she).

 

Yes, 35028 was indeed the last to be rebuilt.

 

That arose because of a tender swap with 35020 "Bibby Line".

At the time of rebuilding, 35020 received a cut-down tender but it was swapped for a high-sided one in connection with controlled-road trials with a dynamometer car, since the coal raves gave better protection to the cables that trailed from the loco to the dynamometer. Because the pairing was moderately long-lived, the tender was repainted with panelling to match the loco and (judging by the photo in the RCTS volume) an early crest. Once the trials were finished, 35020 got her cut-down tender back, and the high-sided one was passed to at that point still original 35028, but without repainting - thus having an original loco with horizontal lines matched to a high-sided tender with panelled lining. The result was apparently not pretty!

Tom

 

See attached pictures.

 

Although 35020 didn't survive, it'd be nice to see an MN restored with that tender arangement - it suits it very well

https://www.flickr.com/photos/31514768@N05/3847701829/in/photolist-dfSgMa-6S1tGH