6989 Wightwick Hall

Courtesy of the 7200 Trust Facebook page, Wightwick Hall has apparently become the 150th Barry loco to steam in preservation.

Photo can be found here https://www.facebook.com/7200Trust/photos/a.228429620503146/2233891339956954/?type=3&theater

 

good old facebook. saw this earlier on on the Buckinghamshire Rly Centre group.

 

Thanks for sharing. I Absolutely agree with the question in the text at the side of the caption - "Doesn't she look great?" Yes indeed and congratulations to the owning group who have been plodding away for many years.

 

Congratulations to all involved.

 

Fantastic! Congratulations to the team who have restored what some might say is "yet another Hall." Perhaps a visit to the GWSR to meet up with Foremarke Hall might be in the offing one day?

 

Even better if the GWSR runs a double header with the pair during the visit.

 

I'd put money on it happening at some point!

 

Wonderful to see! Can remember her slowly inching closer to steaming as a kid at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, so probably a good 20 years knowing 6989. Fantastic news. Wonder what the plan is for her now? Surely a bit big for BRC...

 

A fantastic sight. Well done to all involved.

 

It is currently listed to be in use at the following events at Quainton Road:

• Launch weekend 2 & 3 March https://bucksrailcentre.org/product.php/52/wightwick-hall-launch/24d85cc8b6cb0e9350443ea3418e3d3b
• Steam Gala 26 & 27 May https://bucksrailcentre.org/product.php/5/steam-gala

 

I've never been to Quainton Road. About time I did. Now I have a good reason to go.

Congratulations to all involved. Now we need a 72XX in steam!!

 

Fantastic news, I first saw this loco in 1987 when I was only 4 years old, I last saw it 2 years ago with my own daughter who would have been a similar age! I live a long way from Quainton these days, so hope to catch up with it somewhere where it can have a good run!
Well done all, brilliant achievement, it looks amazing.

 

Fabulouss to see another of barrys l9ng restorations coming to an end and steaming

 

Brilliant news, always good to see a restoration completed.

 

I'm full of admiration for this team and can't wait for the launch date in the spring.
Having viewed the images in SR488 I have a question regarding the letter spacing used on the nameplate. Is this correct?
The spacing seems wrong to me based on what I deem to be a standard 5'8" backing plate. Maybe some names had different letter spacing but in my view the letters were spaced to give 5 3/8" gap between the H of Hall and the preceding letter, K in this instance.

 

You could be right.

Compare this photo of the (presumably replica) plate:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...e_Railway_Centre_Wightwick_Hall_Nameplate.jpg

with these photos of the loco when in service (you'll need to zoom in a bit):
http://www.wightwick-hall-6989.com/....pond/swindonworks290353anon.jpg.w560h339.jpg
http://www.wightwick-hall-6989.com/...ilderpictures/BackingoutofPaddington26961.jpg

The original looks better spaced to me.


Keith

 

I agree. The replica plate looks all wrong. Ha'p'orth of tar problem.

 

GWR plates had a 5 foot 8 inch backplate and letters were spaced evenly with 5 and 3/8 inch gap between the word and Hall (assuming two words). The gap between the first and last letter and the beading on this replica looks a little tight too imo.
in SR488 it describes the group visiting one of the real plates and taking a rubbing?
Anyone who has "Locomotives on Public Display" by Ian Wright can see a b&w image of an original on page 106 taken at Wightwick Hall Education Centre near Wolverhampton.

 

I'm sure there's a rivet missing somewhere as well...

 

That's as may be Jim. As I say, another superb restoration and no criticism , more of an observation that is really noticeable to me as a nameplate freak & OCD pedant