45699 Galatea

Re: Galatea

Off topic, but I used to know some people at the railway consultancy AEA Technology Rail (formerly BR Research). Their Derby offices in Pride Park, Derby was called Jubilee House (it was built 2002), and somebody had the clever idea to name the meeting rooms "Kolaphur", "Leander" and "Bahamas" - unfortunatley they had overlooked "Galatea".
AEA.T.R. was sold off many years ago, became Delta Rail and is now a very much smaller concern. Jubilee House was taken over by Rolls-Royce.

 

Re: Galatea

Not so much when it would run, but people are interested in it's progress. As I said, most other people are proud to "show off" their achievements.

 

Re: Galatea

I agree, let Mr Smith get on with it in his own time. I am sure we will not be disappointed with the end result.

As an aside, I recall that Galatea was bought for spares, mainly the boiler/firebox, for one of the other Jubilees, possibly 45690, but it was then found that these engines were carrying slightly different types of boiler so were not ready interchangeable. Maybe the "straight throatplate"/ "sloping throatplate" difference, which gives a different firebox size . Hence Galatea was not broken for spares.

As an ex-Bristol Barrow Rd engine that I used to see regularly on the South-West/ North-East expresses on the Midland, I cannot wait!

 

Re: Galatea

For those of you who cannot wait, 45699 Galatea is featured on B & R Video/DVD No 94 Steam North of Swansea.

 

Re: Galatea

Tantalising, isn't it? I wonder how reliable SR's source is? Test runs before the end of the year? Who knows...

Personally, I don't mind Carnforth's secrecy. It adds to the anticipation. It's a bit like when a favourite band is rumoured to be working on a new album, except with Galatea we know (more-or-less) what she'll sound like and what colour the cover will be!

 

Re: Galatea

My comment on this has got buried somewhere, but it was as confirmed as it will ever get by the train manager on the WCRC Lune Rivers Trust tour that things are looking good & they're still hopeful for a test run before the end of this year.

 

Re: Galatea

This thread makes interesting reading re. ownership of 5699.

http://railways.national-preservation.com/steam-traction/19969-carnforth-overhauls-5.html

 

Re: Galatea

Dont you ever get bored of the same old script!!!

To qoute TBirdFrank's on the link you posted------SNORE SNORE SNORE!!!

 

Re: Galatea

Made sense to my simple mind! I don't know why there is all this fuss about 45699 and West Coast's lack of information. OK, they don't give out press releases or shout about things but, if you talk to people involved, they aren't exactly secretive about it and it is not kept locked away and hidden from the view of people attending Carnforth for whatever reason.

 

Re: Galatea

I think it would be really good if one morning, in the not too distant future, the crowd awaiting their special pulled by 46115 find it arriving behind 45699.
Keep up the secrecy Mr. Smith.

Bob.

 

Re: Galatea

yep, that I agree with. What a buzz you'd get if you were that person booked on the train! A bit like a Cop really....

 

Re: Galatea

Reminds me of a main line trip in Germany I made several years ago. Advertised as a run with a Sachsen 38 but unbeknown to passengers and crew it was actually booked for an 03 Pacific to mark the driver's forthcoming retirement. Was a wonderful surprise for us all. So yes, I think a surprise appearance by 45699 would be very nice indeed.

 

Re: Galatea

Indeed, unless you go at 2am, there's no chance it won't be spotted.

 

Re: Galatea

The call for information on private activities seems to be fairly unique to the railway heritage world, I wonder why? I know a number of people who possess wonderful collections of vintage model railway equipment - truly impressive layouts, rare and even unique items, and of course they are always adding to, altering, selling off, parts of their collections and layouts. There is a large vintage model railway fraternity out there, but they don't expect people - even people who regularly exhibit their models - to keep them abreast of developments.

The same can be said for cars, buses, aeroplanes. There are plenty of quiet souls and little companies out there looking after wonderful historic items and they aren't criticised, even lambasted for being cagey about telling people about their possessions and business.

I suppose we are used to most heritage railways and companies like Rileys and LNWR being fairly open, to the extent that we have come to expect it from anyone involved in the movement, and those who don't - WCRC for example - have come to be thought of as a bit odd, and even, unfairly, viewed with suspicion.

Yes, WCRC is a large - in our little pond - business, and I am sure that we would all like updates on what goes on in Carnforth sheds. But we have no right to that information, and they have no duty to provide it.

 

Re: Galatea

I don't think the call for info is so loud, more that some parts of the heritage railway world seems to be so secretive, and you're active in "our little pond" so tend to notice it more. Compare it to politics or the media - could you imagine the reaction if MPs were so secretive about what was going on in the house of commons or if MGM refused to reveal the reason behind delays to a film release?

Now substitute those things with WCRC or the 6100 and 4472 blackouts, give it a forum and Hey presto! you've got natpres. You'll always get people interested in the nitty gritty of things, it's human nature

 

Re: Galatea

It seems loud enough on here from time to time, but perhaps that is due to just a few vociferous voices. But my point is that there is nothing wrong with a business being secretive - it's their business, literally and figuratively.

Politics is a poor comparison - MPs are elected by and are the representatives of the people. There is clearly a duty on their and the Government's part to be open to those who give them the mandate to govern, even if they seem to forget that sometimes. The Media, well ok, people would mutter a bit if a film were delayed, but they wouldn't get every detail out of a studio - it's the studio's business, and anyway it'd just crank up the excitement for the eventual release.

Yes, you'll always get people interested- I said in my post that I'm sure we'd all like to see more news come out of Carnforth. But my point is that we have no right to it, and they have no duty to provide it.