4496/60008

I just realized that it will never run again as we U.S.A. folk will never restore it.

 

"Never"? Bold, sir! Who expected to see a BigBoy run in the 21st century? but one has!

 

Fair, but that is a U.S. icon rather than "some train from overseas"

 

So name something home-grown Dwight D Eisenhower and we'll have the A4 back!

 

I believe that there are people in the UK with chequebook ready if it ever becomes available.

 

I believe some of them made an approach during its visit to the UK in 2013 but the owning museum rejected all approaches.

 

How people don't see a wind up merchant at work, is an education.....

 

Or the Flying Dutchess (sic)?

 

What about a non-working replica? It would be a fair bit cheaper than the substantial sum I believe was offered to the Wisconsin Railroad Museum. I understand that the US didn't really want DDE when it was offered to them in the first place.

 

Noting that these two are located in Canada which may have both different attitudes / policies relating to their preservation and potential restoration.

 

It seems to me that there are a good number of allegedly preserved locomotives in deplorable condition in this country, and it would be appropriate to pay more attention to those than to locomotives adequately cared for overseas. Especially as the overseas examples would doubtless have been scrapped had they remained in the UK.

 

Yep, you have a very good point, Jimc, and I don't disagree. I do think, though, that folks will give to whatever takes their fancy, even if it may not be the most 'deserving' case and not to everyone's taste. I have been involved from its earliest days as fund-raiser and publicity officer with the 82045 new build project, which again doesn't perhaps fit the bill for many people (I must admit I was doubtful at the outset, and some of the gratuitous nastiness we've encountered along the way showed that there was a fair bit of antagonism towards it). However, the support we've had from the hobby fraternity has exceeded all our wildest expectations, and I wonder if we'd have had the same response had the subject been an ex-Barry loco. I suppose it would have depended on the engine concerned, and there are one or two sad jobs knocking around that I would love to have a go at, once 82045 is up and running [suggestions, please, but don't let's forget that this thread is about Dwight D.Eisenhower!].

I'm not even all that wild about the A4's, just felt sad when DDE and DoC both went back into exile after being in the UK and having a splendid makeover apiece. I would only take exception with your comment about their being 'adequately cared for', as neither of them was in a good state when they arrived, in fact they looked bloody awful and unloved, and I see no reason why one or both shouldn't come back to Blighty and be properly looked after. The idea of a replica seems far-fetched, I know, but is a serious suggestion: when you look at the strange, almost-Britannia creation that was produced for the recent Tom Cruise film, you can see what is possible. I believe it cost seven figures, by the way - but it was self-propelled, something that would not be necessary for an engine apparently destined to spend eternity stuffed, mounted, neglected and a couple of thousand miles from home. I've got my work cut out with the Standard Class 3 tank, but if anyone is willing to work with me, I don't mind doing a bit of spadework to explore the possibilities. Get in touch if you're interested, chris.proudfoot045@btinternet.com

 

Well that's kinda my point really. Properly looked after is one thing, but how many unloved and even partially dismantled locomotives are sitting in head shunts gradually returning to Barry condition? However tatty those two may have looked they're a hell of a lot better cared for than a good number here.

 

But by the time you've paid for the replica, the transport of 60008 back to the UK and an overhaul to working condition you would be well on the way to the cost of a new build, I'd have thought! Perhaps something that we don't already have an example of - a Thompson A1 or A2 ..............?

 

W1? ..... or go the whole hog and recreate the U1. If wishes were horses, eh?

 

All good points, and made with courtesy - greatly appreciated. If anyone wants to re-create the U1, good luck to you but count me out.

Thompson Pacifics: well, I always rather liked them, but again that's for someone else to take under their wing, and I can't see that happening. Back to 60008, all I would want to do would be to establish (a) whether the Wisconsin folks would be willing to play ball; and if so (b) to do some costings around having a replica built and bringing the real thing home, and if feasible to kick off a fund-raising plan to do those two things. Beyond that, I wouldn't want to be involved. And I still stick to my point about their not being cared for over there, even if they are under cover.

My main inclination is towards LM and BR engines, as these are the ones I grew up with in Cheshire. There are a few of these desperately in need of a champion. Remember, nothing is impossible if the will is there and the approach is right.

 

It's really very simple. Leave the Dwight D Eisenhower plates in Winsconsin, with a suitably impressive display of photos of the loco, carrying that great man's name and Golden Shuttle plates can be refitted to the A4 when it gets home. Surely, given their vital contribution to the liberation of Europe, an S160 would be the more appropriate memorial to the General, this side of the pond.

For the record, I merely jest. The loco owes it's survival to it's status within the USA, is safe and secure, plus being a fine advert for the UK and it's railways. If you don't believe me, consider the fate of Nos.12 & 13.

 

Or you could go and make an L1, and a few of them. Perfect for preservation and a type of engine railways will need rather than some massive mainline monster that will be limited on where and when it can go.

 

Can't claim the L1 as a particular favourite, but the point is well made. I'm gleefully anticipating the appearance of the F5, G5, 82045 and 84030. With the two pre-grouping designs, it'd be nice to think their appearance might spur restoration of some period appropriate stock currently languishing under tarps across the land.

Be it known, as much as Garratts interest me, as far as the UK Std Gauge is concerned, the only one I'd genuinely want to see in steam would be the industrial 0-4-0+0-4-0 (BP 6841 of 1937) William Francis. Rest assured, any mention to the contrary I might make, from time to time, is strictly light hearted.