35009, Shaw Savill

Going back to 35009 I remember reading that with the 3 MN's on site that Ian would like to do his MN in BR blue when he gets around to it if ever.

 

Its a shame about 35025 & 35011 because with them being at sellindge really the closest feasable heritage railway for them to go to (or at least one of them) would be the bluebell especially as they opened the line to east grindstead and its not like an engine the size of MN can't run there bec

 

It will most likely be a blue moon when paint comes into the equation for 35009.

 

Even With my limited experience working on merchant navies I can't see how they could hope to restore these locomotives in what is a basically a field. Do they have any cranes to lift the big items?


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And herein is why the youth of today can't get a look in.

Just look what Churnet valley did with a tkh Polish 0-6-0 on a shoestring and on a loco not in best condition. Possible because of the price.

Consider what they could have done with a Pannier or Prarie in not much different condition, sadly the starting price for those, (a few years back), was a whole "0" bigger just because of the BR logo it once carried.

 

nope any heavy lifting means getting in very expensive cranes they used to be able to get use of a hiab to lift things like cab sides , tanks etc. i dont expect either of these engines to steam in my lifetime, nor i expect yours young man,

 

The only way I can them returning is a heritage line taking them on board once the locomotives current owners pass on. You never know with this wonderful hobby of ours things happen that no one expects.

 

As restoration to steaming is unlikely in the near to very distance future, it would be good to see one restored as a static exhibit, but not cut to be pieces as 35029, and displayed somewhere like Norden on the Swanage railway, as a “gate guardian” if you like. So people can get, safely ,close to a large loco, This would only be likely if the loco was gifted to the railway concerned, even a static restoration will costs many thousands. Unfortunately the only value for these locos is what the scrap man is willing to pay.

 

Hmmm me thinks the best thing is for the locos to be gifted to more successful society… for example I would imagine that the MNLPS would give there right arm to get given access to a spare boiler (to overhaul whilst the other is in service) as well as spare cylinders, wheel sets etc….. would be a shame for the scrap man to just cut these parts up for scrap.

 

if an engine were to be gifted to MNLPS , then i would think they would prefer to overhaul another engine over the steaming ticket on 35028, so that when 35028 goes out for overhaul they would have another one to take its place then should they be lucky enougth to have 2 in steam at once they have a spare in case of wash out repair etc, plus possible loans to certain preserved railways that they trust to look after it, plus manpower permitting they could do more non vsoe work such as future special southern events such as 2 merchants running to weymouth

 

My initial thought would be the SLL? Possibly the best society when it comes to Bulleids and have been missing a Merchant Navy since they sold Port Line.

 

no they sold their 2 because they were thought to be too big for preserved line use how many railways would want to hire a hungry, coal munching fireman draining merchant navy

 

You learn something new every day

Saying that the Mid Hants and the GWSR will have a Merchant each for exclusive on preserved lines if they prove popular you never know.

 

If there's one thing that this thread has shown us, it's that if you want to succeed in preservation, you need perseverance.

(I assume your spelling checker did that to you? It was a good one, if so!)

Noel

 

I think you are underestimating the growth of costs of that would come from running two engines…. my point was if the MNLPS had a spare boiler they could have it ready overhauled (waiting for tubing) and as soon as the 7 year ticket expires have another boiler ready to go! I believe this would work for them as they manage to undertake most chassis/loco maintenance work during their off season (I believe having chatted with her support crew that when 35028's ticket runs out soon, all that is required is the boiler work)

 

I didnt notice got to love FireFox for changing spellings ... very true tho

 

I blame auto spelling on FireFox and not proof reading. I have edited it now.

 

Isn't there small differences between the boilers on MN's. So if MNLPS wanted another boiler they would need to use the boiler off 35025 and not the boiler off 35011.

Thanks

 

They were more than likely swapped around quite a bit so that later batches got early batch boilers. Only 35018 had different fittings, and they were mainly superficial (but no excuse not to replicate them in its current restoration).