N7 69621

I was on a charter dubbed '69621' farewell last weekend on the CVR owing to the fact that the locomotives boiler ticket expires in June/July. Does anyone know what the plans are for the loco after this - will she be overhauled or put on display?

And for anyone interested, a short video is included below:

 

Hiring the N7 out is one of the EARM's main sources of income, so I'd be very surprised if the overhaul did not commence more or less immediately upon the engine's return to Chappell.

 

The financial situation is a little more complex but it is for the parties concerned to reveal more; suffice to say that a quick return to service is not expected by some.

 

Lovely video, the charter looked good.

 

It was - but disappointing for the organisers that more photographers couldn't support the charter.

 

Perhaps the idea of a GE suburban tank in deepest Staffs didn't appeal.

 

It'll be more appealing one day. Plans are in motion to fully install signalling at Cheddleton, with research currently ongoing into installing NSR Lower Quadrant signals.

By sheer coincidence, NSR Signalling is Mk2 McKenzie & Holland Signllling, the same used by the Great Eastern Railway Company!

There is also a further connection between the 2x companies as the NSR first named express service operated to Cromer from Manchester running via the CVR, called The Eastern Counties Express.

 

May have been the short notice of organisation ( I only heard about 3 or 4 weeks prior to the event that it was being held ), and also the competition of that day. Charters on weekdays are usually quite well attended due to the lack of local or even national railway events, while this one was held on a weekend which automatically competes against other events. Add in that the 12th had No. 46115 down the Cumbrian Coast, Deltic No. 55002's mainline railtour debut to Aberdeen and the SVR's members and shareholders weekend which intself is quite an intensive gala, an N7 on parcels always had some tough acts to beat.

 

The other side of the coin is that weekend charters do not require people to take leave but I'll grant you that the competition of other attractions that weekend was intense. N7s are synonymous with suburban workings, although they did other things of course, so perhaps a parcels train didn't inspire the photographers.

 

The Charter on the 12th was only dubbed its farewell charter as so far there has been no further interest shown. If people are up for it though, arrangements can be made for additional charter(s) with the options of either a Full Day or a Half Day following morning services both available.

Serviceable sets we have at CVR are;

- Maroon Mk1

- Parcels set

- Mixed Goods (minus the open wagon)

- Ballast Train (there also a Bogie Bolster that could be added)


Could also mix it up and just have the Prototype GUV with a Couple of Mk1s or whatever. We're happy to work with what people want! Can also arrange to have staff involved too, Porters, Shunters, Operating Crews etc.

If there is anyone interested pm 'Chris Meadowcroft' and he'll arrange suitable dates. You do have until the beginning of July when her boiler ticket expires
http://www.national-preservation.com/members/chris-meadowcroft.7689/

 

IMHO the best place for it is the NNR.

Usually there would have to be an appeal for overhaul funds, and perhaps this can be done with the NNR appealing to their supporters, and tying in the engine to the NNR for a period after its overhaul.

But it also depends on the NNR's own future plans regarding engine availability.

 

Thanks for the comment on the video, I enjoyed the charter thoroughly!

Although not a 'correct setting' , I went to see the loco while I had the chance, and I got what I wanted! Thanks again to the organisers and crew for the day, some photos below:

 

IMHO the best place for it is the NNR.

IMHO the best place for 61306 would be the NYMR. Doesn't mean either will happen though!

 

69621 used to be at the NNR but spent more time out of traffic than in traffic!

In 2 years it would seem that it has done more miles at the CVR than in the last 4 years at the NNR!

 

The N7 would have done more miles at the CVR, because 1 it's longer and 2 it was at one point the only running steam loco on the CVR, I know in 2012 the N7 was put in the NNR's Souvenir Guide, that she was going there for a while because of the J15 and b12, sadly never happened. The NNR has got the N2 at the moment which is doing some running at the moment, it does look nice of the quards, it's a shame the N7 hasn't been in a while but we have had the N2, let's hope she's back again some day.

 

The CVR only run 3 days a week June to August though.

 

Whilst it is the romantics ideal home, does NNR truly need it? They have B12/J15/WD as home locos, with hire agreements agreed for 76084 / 44767 / 5619 and the return of 92203?
Why spend their money on somebody else's loco when they have enough to look after?

 

From postings on a group it seemed to give the impression 5619 has left? Not sure if this has been confirmed though or whether she will return or not.

Plus wasn't 76084 just for a couple of years?

Another reasonable location for her would of course be the EOR.

 

Any updates on the N7? Will it stay on static display at EARM for the forseeable future?