What Locomotive ?

If you could have any locomotive at any preserved railway, what would it be and why?

 

As Ralph said. Best locos I worked on were the BR Std 4MTT and Ivatt Class 2 tank. Ideal for most preserved lines. Good steamers, comfy cab, good visibility, easy to prep and dispose. Happy days . Of course you could add to that the new BR Std 3 MTT currently under construction. Never had a go on the Faiburns but they're probably handy too. Southern and LNER didn't really have any modern smallish tank engines although the V1/V3 might have been interesting, and I don't get on with the GWR Victorian cab ambiance.

 

a 5AT fantastic project with an incredible potential alas victim of the indifference of the most of british railways enthusiasts :better maybe to built a "grange" or a "county"!:deadhorse:

 

Yes indeed. Though you won't find much support for it on here I fear, (many have enough trouble accepting Tornado). We've not considered a tank version thus far, though there are plans for an 8AT freight type for foreign parts too. Lots of good Chapeleon and Porta stuff in the design of course

 

Putting aside the possibility of 'new' steam, I'd like an Aberdare on the SVR. Whilst no doubt a bit of a sod for crews with all that inside motion, lever cut-off and very open cab, it would look really nice and be of just the right sort of strength and size for the line's current operations.

 

Gresley V4 "Bantam Cock",possibly over engineered for the job required but from the little that is availiable to read about them they were an excellent duo, an unsung masterpiece from Sir Nigels team? Not oversized and with 5'8" drivers good on the inclines.

 

For me it would be the J69 or E4 at the Mid Norfolk. Both non-runners at the moment but would be great back on GER territory. The E4 is tucked away at Bressingham at the moment.

 

Lion in steam or failing that FR 20 with its Manchester origin at Liverpool Road.

Regards
Duncan

 

Time for your medication now Martin

 

A Jersey Lilly at the GCR

 

WD 2-10-0 or WD 8F at NVR, would be 'British' yet look at home with the Continental stock.

 

Very boring but a Standard Class 4 or 5 based somewhere like the Severn Valley, Mid Hants, East Lancs, K&WVR or NYMR. Not necessary my favourite locos but if I had to think about them earning their keep to some extent then fairly ideal for both a preserved line or on the mainline and whether running chimney or tender first. Might have thought about a Manor or a Hall but obviously restricted on routes and tender first running not great in rough weather

If money no option then a 14XX. Not really that pratical as a workhorse but would look great with one or two coaches on many of the lines we have preserved. Also reminds me off my dads model railway layout as a kid

 

For 'Heritage' Lines, im also for 'Bantam Cock' if potential new builds to be included. Otherwise the Lanky 2-4-2 tank to be restored and run at KWVR with a couple more l & y coaches ( believe theres one at embsay and one at Butterley ?)...

 

A Midland/LMS 2P 4-4-0, not the most efficient of locos but would look really at home at S&D, Peak Rail, Worth Valley, Butterley, Wirksworth etc. etc., and could be turned out in various liveries including S&DJR blue. I was told that the Midland 1F Half-cab group nearly bought one but it was too expensive and big given the small number of preserved lines at the time.

Dave

 

North Stafford No.2 back in Staffordshire on the CVR, the last extant NSR loco on genuine NSR line and preferably with the 2 NSR coaches currently being restored at Foxfield.

The North Staffordshire Railway is one of the oft overlooked pre-grouping companies.

 

Don't forget the Battery loco! I wonder if we could see a return to use for it? Would make an interesting demonstration loco.

 

All depends on the line I suppose. A newbuild GCR 9N would be ideal for most longer lines, or a GCR 9K for the shorter ones. Somewhere like the NYMR the NER T3 would be a great beast to get running again.