Green Arrow

Does any one now the state of the last remaining V2,and is there any prospect of it steaming again ,?

 

Unlikely - believe it needs a new cylinder block casting

 

Where has it been said that a new cylinder block IS needed? We all know the unique monobloc requires serious repairs, but welding techniques have improved even since the V2 last overhaul. Who's to say it can't be repaired? Also with Poly-patterns proving successful for numerous projects, the costs associated with a new casting have been considerably reduced, so even if it did need replacing its not a big task as it once was.

The NRM though have plenty of other locos in steam elsewhere atm (30120, 0298, 777, 30850, 925, 70013) with 44027, 49395, 4472 & 63601 all under restoration. 4771 has been in steam for 2(?) tickets, so it only fair to let other locos have their turn in the limelight. I'm sure one day the V2 turn will come again.

 

49395 is still at Bury. I believe that it is going to Shildon later on this year. Does Mr Coulls know what is planned for the Super D?

 

63601 is stored awaiting overhaul, not quite 'under restoration'.


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4771 is the 4472 lookalike, given the mountains climbed to get 4472 to work, I doubt they would be seeking to give it a competitor, from within their own ranks so soon !

we've had pushes for 46229 but looks like a no go for some years, and 42500 which seems to have faded to the back burner for a while, 3440 dropped out when it could have gone on longer with some effort...

Maybe 4472 has drained the appetite for a while or they are leaving it to independent groups with whom they trust locos for a while ?

The NRM collection does have some retirees coming soon 777, 850 even 70013 in the not too far future. 49395.. i'll believe when I see it.

 

3440 has had a good innings; it's time to let her have a rest. 6229 will rise again, I'm sure. I suspect that 2500 will reappear once 4472 is operational. As for 49395, I seem to recall Pete Waterman saying that she's only really in need of a boiler overhaul, & he was keen to see her have another 10 years in service

 

I'm sure that 2500 will have no shortage of work

 

Well, it's what the NRM said when she last came out of traffic, and as far as I'm aware they haven't updated their position since. I agree with you that, given the recent developments you mention, it might well be worth taking a fresh look at it at some point. Equally though, I agree with those who say that we should let some other engines have a turn in the limelight. I eagerly await they day when we see 6229 in steam alongside 2007...two "lost" 1930s icons side-by-side at last. And would anyone else like to see the Midland Compound in steam again? Or maybe even Hardwicke?

(Ok, I've no idea whether the NRM would actually agree to let Hardwicke steam again, but there's no harm in asking, right? )

 

But where did the "NRM" say it DOES need replacing? As far as I can remember it was one of the mags that first mentioned it, and then everyone jumped on the bandwagon so to speak. I don't know myself as haven't looked at in depth, and tbh I doubt anyone will be able to tell for definite until the day comes she is stripped down. But the NRM only stated it was well worn and needed repairs, they never actually said it needed replacing.

I do agree with the NRM policy though of letting other locos have their turn in the limelight, just wish 4771 was better positioned to have a look round as she's probably my favourite loco of all time being the first loco I remember as 3yr old (I think) climbing the S&C!

 

I'm pretty sure there was an interview in SR shortly afterwards, in which Andrew Scott and Richard Gibbon confirmed that it would need replacement. Unfortunately, I don't currently have access to my SR back-catalogue so I can't confirm which issue it was.

 

you can't always rely on the content of the Beano!

 

My understanding of the NRM policy is that the 60800 / 4771 cylinder block is unique and is part of the locomotive hence any repairs to / replacement of that block will only take place in terms of it remaining as part of the locomotive. The NRM still held to that view even when it was mooted that the cylinder block could be replaced by the standard redesigned unit as fitted later to other class members by BR thus leaving the original block available for display purposes; it seems that the NRM is wedded to the idea of keeping the unique block as part of the locomotive whether in a working or display mode.

 

I bet Anthony has a quiet chuckle to himself when he reads all these posts.

 

But at least it informs him what people actually think rather than what they say !

 

I'd say it was the other way round. People say things on this Forum, not think them.

 

i take offence at that remark.!.. (so its probably true)

 

Not quite sure what you mean - the original block must remain in use? or only a new one piece block could be used? If Green Arrow is stuck with the original block and it is irrepairable, then the V2 is stuffed.

 

If the NRM ever want to run Green Arrow again (and if somebody put up the cash), I think there's the potential for a good win/win situation. A new monobloc casting (or even separate castings as used later on) could be used for working on the loco (potentially making use of polystyrene patterns, etc), and the original could be kept for display. You could argue that the monobloc's uniqueness is wasted a bit as nobody can see it on the loco! To me it seems like there's also some interesting interpretive possibilities if it was used to illustrate how components wear out over time. As I said, it's very much the NRM's loco to do what they want with, but I do wonder whether one day that might be a useful compromise...?


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