30120

Can anyone shed any light on what the situation with this loco actually is?
I read on the Swanage postings that the loan deal with the B&W has been terminated,
and the loco has been loaned to the Swanage Railway till the end of the year

Several things give me cause for alarm,
1 the report says, the NRM is keen to see the engine RETURNED to operational Condition
So has it failed, and what is the nature of the failure

The Swanage railway already has a problem with locos needing overhaul and raising the funding for it, it, has the second U, and very soon 31806 will be out of ticket 30055 needs an overhaul , then theres the T3, to wrorry bout,
If the T9 is to move homes, i would hope it goes to either the Bluebell, or Mid hants, nothing against Swanage but it cant properly look after its own 4-4-0 at the moment because it has nowhere undercover and another engine that will need funds to be raised may be to big an ask
The engine was formerly on loan to the Urie Group, and i am thinking this may be an option, if it were to be gifted to them, rather than to The MHR, as they as former operators, might be better placed to raise the funds to overhaul it.

 

I think 30055 needs a bit more than an overhaul! It was scrapped over 50 years ago

The Bluebell has neither the covered accommodation nor a slot in its workshop programme to undertake the necessary repairs on 30120 and the Mid Hants is currently working on 75079, 35005, 34105, 828, 399 and 30506 while probably beginning work on 850 soon, so not much hope there either. I think that, as is often the case with news like this, we are only being told part of the story. My guess is that some discussions (which are rightly being kept confidential at this stage) are taking place between the Swanage Railway and the NRM with a view to repairing the T9 under Swanage's auspices. Happy to be proved wrong by more knowledgeable people, but this was how I read the two articles in consecutive issues of Steam Railway.

 

The T9 is ideal for the length of the Swanage Railways service trains and gradients.

 

Time for a bit of humble pie from me here!

 

I don't think it's true to say that Swanage has no undercover accomodation, when last I visited 31625 was in the shed at the former oil terminal and there's oceans of room there to extend that facility or build another,. OK so it's basic but it's secure and under a roof . I was thinking 563 would be in that shed for the winter.It doesn't look asif there's room for two locos so 30120 is another to be concerned about. I don't think a shed is that big a deal anyway, most railway's locos spend all thier time in the open.

 

the T3 and the T9 on show together would be quite attractive

 

Gosh it's all conspiracy theories isnt it? Just lety the groups get on with it all cant you?

 

499 & 506 are under restoration by the Urie S15 group
828 is being overhauled by Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society.
All 3 loco will have their boiler work completed by Mid Hants boiler shop, when there is space. Both societies have done all the stripping of their boilers.

Cheers, Neil

 

I don't think there's anything to be alarmed about Martin.

30120 has failed I believe with a leaking cylinder block. It will remain at Swanage to access whether/how this could be repaired, and if the NRM are happy to proceed with the repairs. If it can be repaired, then perhaps it will see out the last two years of its boiler certificate, or perhaps it will make sense to do a full overhaul instead. Once properly accessed then I'm sure an announcement will be made of the future use/home of the loco. Until then we'll just have to keep guessing.

I'd say there is zero chance of it going to the Bluebell or Mid Hants. They both have enough on their plate already, and a shortage of space. The Mid Hants decided to end their previous loan period of the loco, as it was entirely unsuitable for the line. When the Bluebell had it, they considered returning it to steam, but they had too many other locos taking priority.

Personally I think Swanage is the best home for it. Entirely suitable and approximate for the line. No undercover accommodation at the moment, but plans are being formulated for this. Ok they may have a few locos out of use awaiting overhaul, but what line doesn't? There are far more locos in the overhaul queues at the Bluebell and Mid Hants, so your argument doesn't make sense.

All we can do is watch this space, and be assured that the NRM will do whatever is in the best interests of 30120.

 

Wasn't the Cylinder block repaired at its last overhaul by nickel key stitching my understanding is that the block and drag box are both life expired and will need need replacement We knew it was getting weak when it was based at Ropley, and that had it stayed, a new casting would be needed, and at the time it would have not been possible under the rules then that concerned loan engines from the NRM , i think that was why it was given up, not because it was unsuitable, plus there was politics at work, a large engine policy that saw smaller engines sidelined.
Im hoping that 120 is repaired, but do wrorry for its future,

 

Yes cylinder block was repaired at last overhaul, but it seems repair has failed.

Makes you wonder what will happen with 30587 too, if the NRM are not happy with Bodmin.

 

I expect that this thread will be heavily plagiarized for a story in the next SR, as the basis of a story about how much enthusiasts are concerned about the activities of the NRM and the relationship between the NRM and Swanage, so make sure your posts are good ones....

 

The fact that they have taken the T9 away from them implies that doesn't it?

And I did say if.

 

You obviously haven't read the Steam Railway article.

 

With the tone of SR's (or at least one of its contributors) reporting about the NRM at the moment, if they stated that the NRM was based in York I would be inclined to seek confirmation of that from an alternative source....