Matheran 740

Can anything be said yet?

 

Okay, I give in. I can't keep the secret anymore; Matheran's going to be a contractors' loco on HS1...

 

Superb!
Although it happened more recently than you might think:

 

I think you mean HS2 but I heard they where using it on HS3 as it had more hills

 

Come on, someone must own it now, surely?

 

From Steam Railway Magazines facebook page.....

 

At least in safe storage not sure how it stacks up against criteria set out in the bid process

 

South Tynedale really are making a statement of intent at the moment, big stuff happening all the way up there!

 

I'm not with you - the sale page http://irps-wl.org.uk/about/mlr740 doesn't list anything untoward
IMHO with what is proposed by the South Tyndale - or is there further conditions not listed on the sale page?

Do I detect some sour grapes here, and before you say it whilst I live in the south of Cumbria I have nowt in connection with the STR. . .

I would have thought the STR is one of the few NG railways that could make good use of the locomotive - good luck to them I say - certainly better than sitting in bits hidden on a semi private railway as was the case.

I note the intended restoration livery (white/blue) is that when first withdrawn from service, however the sale page listed above shows a more practical ((black/blue) can anyone point me when the mainly white version was introduced?

 

The South Tynedale Railway is a great location for this loco - it will be great to see her running in some appropriate scenery, even though not quite as dramatic as the Neral - Matheran line in India.

Launceston would be even better for me - I speak as a Southerner, who however doesn't need too much arm-twisting to make his way to Settle -Carlisle country and places nearby.

John

 

Well I am sure all will become clear when railword actually formally announce the winner with the reasons behind the choice.

 

Will they - it's entirely up to them, I note that your still trying to rubbish their decision in a round about way, yet the sales page does not appear to have any conditions that will not be met by what is proposed by the STR. So can you please enlighten us all why you think it does not stack up against the bid process or is that too much to ask?

 

unfortunately it is not within my Gift to supply you a copy of the bidding documents. Am am sure now that the process is over there should be no problem with them being released , to you if you ask them for a copy. I would like to note that i having nothing against the STR, and i hope to see the loco return to service soon.

 

It was you that put up the mischievous posting that the bidding process was not met and then put up nothing to substantiate your statement. I have no wish to see the said documents - only the reasons for your feelings, so you've now hinted that the tendering documents do have further requirements - in simple terms what are they.

I can't see why you posted in the first place and keep us all hanging, life's too short for such silly games. . . .

 

So it sounds like they had a list of preferred bidders who they wanted to be the buyer, but for some reason this never happened. So they had to try to find another buyer to take the engine on. The whole thing seams cloak and dagger to me.

Closing date for the bids was 30/06/14 so something didn't go to plan.

 

Regardless of what's happened, at least 740 is safe and at a good, suitable home

 

Hi Guys is it just me or has this loco disappeared off the face of the planet, does anyone know where she is right now?

 

It moved to South Tynedale Railway in 2015 and was meant to be overhauled after Naklo steamed, but it's all gone very quiet.

 

It could be that the subsequent arrivals of the big battery electrics at Tynedale are evidence of a change of direction, and having three other steam locos (in better condition?) 740 is way down on the to do list. That is pure speculation on my part. Their website stocklist (albeit dated May 2019) says of 740, "dismantled awaiting rebuilding." In 10/2016 it was reported as being "inside the second shed".

 

The South Tynedale had financial issues prior to Covid, iirc, and the Covid itself, which may have affected plans and progress.