44871

Reported on the official SVR website as arriving on the SVR shortly as cover for Santa operations, and presumably post-Xmas operation until timetable finishes on 6th January.
Looks like the SVR have an as yet unspecified failure that makes the service fleet too tight for comfort given the intensive Santa schedules.

On a positive note if 42968 makes it to the end of its ticket, could be a bit of an LMS flavour on the SVR for a few days, ie 43106, 42968 and 44871. ( subject to the usual disclaimers....!)

 

Yes! Standard tank last year and now a Black 5 - fantastic!

 

I am tempted to mention that the SVR has an out of ticket Black 5, 45110, currently stored at Barrow Hill. A suggestion was made a while ago on the SVR forum about starting a "Friends of 45110" organisation along the lines of the "Hagley Hall" group, but sadly it appeared to fall on deaf ears.
This is not intended to be a "GWR versus LMS" comment, far from it, but I do hope the SVR's Black 5 does find its way into the restoration queue in the fullness of time.

 

Yes it's very disappointing that nothing has been done. I wrote to the owners earlier this year with a suggestion along the lines of the 'Hagley Hall' group and offered to make some effort to set something up. I never received a reply.

 

Rostered for Santas 22/23 December then not listed for Festive service, next trip is ecs Bridgnorth-Bewdley on January 4th

Severn Valley Railway - Latest News

Patrick

 

I must admit, the post-Christmas roster has been something of a surprise. I was expecting 44871 and 34053 to be in use for much of the period. Still 42968 is being given a good send-off, so that's something to look forward to.

 

Problem with 45110 is, it doesn't help a Loco shortage in the here and now, if it entered Bridgnorth tomorrow I doubt it would re emerge until at least 2015, does anyone know what it's mechanical state is like ?, I know the 8F was "tired" at the end to put it mildly.

 

Of course it wouldn't. What engine that the SVR has could be turned round in a matter of months? None probably. The point is that if you don't plan and start to put in place money then you'll never overhaul anything and be left without a decent locomotive stud. The chaps involved with the Hall have the right idea.

 

The "Friends of Hagley Hall" group have raised money towards the overhaul, as indeed have the 42968 people, hence I think there wont be too much delay in getting underway with that one.
The problem with our Heritage line engines is that they are regarded as good for ten years when they emerge from a heavy general. In an ideal world they should be following Ian Riley's practice of an intermediate at around five years so that you are not doing the whole engine at one go, and hopefully not finding the component parts totally shot.
Problem is I suppose that a Heritage line doesn't easily find £500k every ten years or £250k every five years either, hence you have useful locos out of use for considerable periods on lines such as the SVR and the Bluebell, awaiting their turn.

The absence of 34053 and 44871 from the post-Christmas service probably reflects the fact that the "home" engines dont attract a specific steaming fee. Was hoping for 43106, 42968 and 44871, but two out of the three is fine, particularly as 42968 comes out of ticket in January.

...and that 43106 is so noisy...!!!

 

I think the intermediate overhaul at 5 years will become more common - the NYMR have started down that road with 75029 and 76079 (and aim to continue with 45428 to follow once 76079 is finished, I believe) and it looks as though NELPG are having it forced upon them in the case of the Q6, by virtue of its firebox cracks appearing just 5 years or so into its ticket. What remains to be seen, however, is whether there is the manpower to keep going on the major overhauls in the background whilst turning the intermediates around quickly.

 

I seem to remember the 5 wasn't particularly bad on the bottom end, and a considerable sum was spent on its boiler at the last overhaul, meaning that it should be in pretty good shape.
The stanier mogul fund certainly have a good system in place but it is probably fair to say that, in having an active and (relatively) affluent support group, they are the exception rather than the rule. Expect the mogul to spend little time in one piece following withdrawal.

 

I believe there is a plan afoot to do a five-yearly on 43106. Something relatively minor has cropped up that will entail a boiler lift and it is planned to reset the clock on the boiler whilst they're about it.

 

(You're right, it's in SVR Winter News. The engine drag box has fractured and is to be replaced, the boiler would best be removed and and proposed is an intermediate examination and partial retube to get a new ticket from scratch).

Since then 2857 has suffered a copper steam pipe fracture and 34053 failed 23/12. 7812 continues her valve & piston repairs and 7714 's cylinder problems might affect its return to traffic date? I don't know if this affects plans but I do worry that going into the season with 1501 5164 4566 and 34053(?) would be squeaky bum time!

Patrick

 

I would expect 7812's valve & piston to be complete by mid February, Patrick. I'm not aware of the nature of 34053's failure but assuming that it is not a long lay off we could reasonably expect to start the season with 34053, 7812, 4566, 5164, 1501 with 43106, 2857, 34027 & 7714 appearing at various stages during the year (probably in that order).

 

Thanks Andy, apologies to all for going O/T

Patrick

 

SVR engineering on Twitter says 44871 is in use today and tomorrow instead of 42968.
Also it is likely to be use at the weekend.

 

44871 oln diagram FS2 (saturday) and FS1 (Sunday) Severn Valley Railway - Latest News. Visiting 'Black 5' locomotive No. 44871 arrived on the railway in December for use on Santa Special trains, and is being used on Festive Season trains on both days this weekend.

On Saturday 5th it will be used on the 11.00 & 3.00 from Kidderminster and 1.30 & 4.30 from Bridgnorth.

On Sunday 6th it will be used on the 10.20 & 1.40 from Kidderminster and 12.10 & 3.30 from Bridgnorth.

The loco will be returning to its base at Bury on the East Lancs Railway on Monday 7th January.

44871 shares with our own 45110 the distinction of being one of the four locos used on BR's last steam-hauled special in August 1968.

SVRA forum reports she will be turned at some point.

Patrick

 

Visiting 'Black 5' loco no. 44871 returned today

Patrick