3855

Following some very extensive repairs and renewals (it would have been easier to build a new one) 3855's tender chassis was rewheeled last week. It is intended to construct the new tender tank insitu over the next few months. Whilst to the outsider little appears to have happened with the loco itself since acquisition from Blaenavon, the acquisition of missing parts, when available continues as does the manufacture of new ones where appropriate.

3855's tender is actually the one that went to Barry with 2874 is there anyone out there who can tell me what its number is?

 

Good to know this loco actually has a purpose in that siding!:dance:

Hope not to open a worn tin here, but is there a possibility of her staying at Bury?

 

every i hope one day to see it doublehead with 7229!

 

Do you have enough Coaches at Bury to weigh that down, or do you need to stick the entire Diesel fleet on the back for added weight ? :becky:

 

Excelent! As long as you can guarantee, at least, half of that double heading, I'm a happy bunny

 

Ahhh GWR freight heaven!!

 

Did I read somewhere that whilst in service this loco rescued the Blue Pullman after it failed (The Birmingham Pullman I believe).

 

In the Barry scrapyard books i seem to recall it was the Pines Express twice in the same week! Nice claim to fame for a freight loco.

 

Indeed. In a book in my collection on the subject of the Banbury and Cheltenham Railway, there is a wonderful photo taken (unusually due to wartime restrictions) in June 1945 of a 72xx leading a 28xx on a long goods train on the line near Dowdeswell Viaduct towards Cheltenham. It would have been great to see it - perhaps we will see something similar soon!

 

Jees somebody better tell the Pway gangs!

 

Don't think they bothered with routes during the war. I knew an old driver from Aberdare who told me of things that went on during the war, if something was needed to be sent from A to B it went and with no regard to routes.
His particular thing was what was sent over Crumlin viaduct during the war Bill told me that it could be really scary I forget the details of what happened but but he was well used to going over Crumlin in normal circumstances.
Perhaps someone else out there casn remember.

Cheers Dave

 

The Cheltenham & Banbury Line was a "Blue" Route; the weight limit being dictated by the 2 steel girder viaducts at Hook Norton on the Eastern end of the line. The rest of the route could take "Red" category locomotives. When the GWR took over the MSWJR in 1923 it upgraded the line to some extent. It is likely that the 2 GWR locos photographed in June 1945 (Nos 7246 and 2867) hauling a large goods train had come over the MSWJR from Swindon. Would love to post the photo but since its in a recent book I don't want to infringe any copyright.

 

Is this the GWR tender that is being done at Ludborough?

 

Yes....

 

Thanks; wondered which one it was when I was up there the other week. They're a good bunch up there.

 

I was doing a little search on-line regarding 28xx/38xx and this thread popped up, just interested how things are going with 3855 two years on.

Also noted some reference to 7229 on the thread, I assume in her case no news is bad news in terms of any potential restoration.

 

3855 still consuming time and money!

 

Thanks for the succinct reply - consuming time and money is what steam locomotive do isn't it!

One final question (and feel free to ignore if you cannot or don't want to answer), I noticed that the tender is at Ribble now, are there plans to move the locomotive there for restoration - only ask as its my local railway and one thing north Lancashire needs is a heavy freight to complement the Hall there now!

 

Fitting with air brakes etc to use on the bitumen train through the tunnel and out of Preston to Lindsey? Bring the whole job in house for RSR, forget Colas.