A cloudy forecast for Sidmouth

February's News update from SLL - http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/News/news.html - indicates that 34010 hasn't got much of a future under their ownership and they are willing to sell to assure its future.

So that's 35027, 35022, 80078 and 31178 all sold on, you would think that Sidmouth would provide a great pool of spares that could be rotated to the other members of the fleet.

 

They should donate it to the East Somerset Rly for restoration..

 

Sadly this doesnt come as a surprise. With the amount of Bulleids coming into traffic in the next few years. I personally think a source of good spares is where this will end up. Which is sad I know but its the way of the world and we cant save them all.

 

I'd say everything bar the frames and boiler is already in the spares pool. there are just too many Bulleid's around, hopefully one day ...

 

Martin, I am happy to report that the sun is shining on EX10 this afternoon.

 

Well, I always said the Buillied Pacific, was a rich man's Pannier Tank.

Why not use the frames and boiler as just that, and when one comes out if service, a quick swap of fittings, motion, tender and you'd have Sidmouth, ready to roll in half the time as a normal overhaul.

 

Considering there are 20 BOB/WCs around it is not surprising that at least a couple would be used as spares. In that 20, 16 are currently under overhaul or are in operation. There is far to many so it doesn't appeal to anyone to donate to restore Sidmouth or any other Bullied light pacific.

 

Something tells me Southern Locos will regret disposing of Sidmouth when they have a boiler needing a complete re-build in the future!

 

I blame spellcheck.

 

Personally, I think the NYMR was very short sighted to sell it in the first place. There are strong indications that they may have to revert to 8-coach trains before too long on some services, and another class 7 loco would be well suited to these heavier trains. Too late now though. Unlike other depots there never really has been an appetite for Barry restorations there.

 

"a cloudy forecast for Sidmouth" Whats, he back on the Cider then, or something

SLL have a lot of locos that are going to be coming up for overhaul, in the next few years and probably no money for Sidmouth,, plus a reduction on the Swanage railways Need for their loco's with 2 moguls, that are suitable for most of the lines traffic once 31874 re enters service, they will only need maybe the standard tank,and 1 Bulleid.

 

How dare you Sir! You can never have too many Bulleids ! I wonder what Kent Yeti will say when he sees that comment!

 

Yes now that 31806, 31874 and 31625 have arrived there is a reduced need for SLL locos at Swanage. There is also less workshop space for SLL now that 31874 is in Herston. That's why SLL are looking for another site where they can start dismantling 34028 for overhaul.

I'm glad it's Sidmouth they have decided to sell though, not 80104. That would probably have got them kicked off the railway altogether though!

 

The reason Eddystone will go off-site for dismantling is because Herston works is totally unsuitable for water blasting of frames, etc, and has never been used for that purpose. Eddystone will return to Herston for overhaul when that step has been completed.

 

So what's a Barry wreck worth these days?

 

I didn't think the NYMR owned it? I thought it was Mr Walton-Binns?

Keith

 

Didn't NYMR have to buy it from him as a contractual obligation?