Main Line B12?

The latest issue of the Railway Magazine has a story in it saying that the B12 61572 may be outshopped to ML condition so that she can work from the NNR up to Cromer. It would be great to see this wonderful loco out on the national network again and there would definitely be plenty of work for her to venture a bit further. She was certainly very popular on Steam on the Met in 2000.

 

I suppose regular useage would justify the expense and all the associated Main Line gubbins as opposed to the occasional outing but i can see two sticking points to which the answer is easier said than done:

1) Isn't the crossing at Sheringham on the priviso of a limited number of crossing per year ?, certainly less than the number needed to break even i'd have thought

2) Cromer platform being so short meaning short formations would make it hard to get enough Passengers on board to not run at a loss without having ticket prices so high as to put people off.

Good luck to them if they think they can pull it off, but looks tricky on the face of it.

 

ARAIK, It is just having a really good overhaul bringing all components to main line standard. I don't think it means all the OTMR gubbins and what have you that is needed for mainline running.

 

Haven't heard this, all I know is that it has been delayed and will be november time when it is finished.

 

Lol, where do people get these ideas from?

 

I suspect this is just another case of people hearing that a loco is being overhauled to mainline standards and thinking that means going mainline. Its a lovely idea, but i'd be surprised if it happened anytime soon.

Chris

 

SuperG speak to Alex G he can bring you up to speed. I think you'll find that the M&GN Society are having all of the work done to mainline standards with a view to the NNR running to Cromer when the time is right. TPWS would be required to run to Cromer, but OTMR exemption as per NYMR to Whitby would be sought.

Steve A

 

Thanks for this info.

 

So the work is being done to mainline standards, but TPWS will be required in addition, or is TPWS included in the current work?

Either way, I doubt running to Cromer will happen any time soon.

 

At this time the B12 is not having TPWS or anything else fitted to it to make it main line available.

However, The M&GN Society, yes they own the engine not the NNR as the railway press make out, are doing everything they can to keep all options open.

AS for any additional work rumoured as being done, none is associated with mainline running.

As for when it will be ready, the M&GN Society have never committed to dates as it would be foolish with this type of overhaul, so can we please leave that particular speculation alone. She will be in service when she is ready.

Alex Galpin
M&GN Society Secretary

 

Thanks Alex. Sorry if I started some speculation off by putting the story on here. The RM are usually pretty reliable.

 

At least she already has air breaks.....though single pipe