6023

True. All new locos are eagerly awaited, but 46100 will look nearly identical to 46115 and 35018 will be identical to 35028. 6023 will be on the main line in a livery not carried by a King in over 60 years. Also. it will have a single chimney, making it different to 6000 and 6024. I addition to this, there is great interest in how it will perform and sound. Wouldn't it look fantastic heading a rake of Mk Is in blood and custard (carmine and cream)?

 

6023 is only vacum braked, so it will only operated by West Coast, therefore it is unlikely it will haul The Royal lScot set.

 

Hey don't forget about vt's rake.

 

Successful annual boiler examination in steam yesterday and also passed the initial VAB examination for mainline running (from Didcot Facebook feed) so progress being made.

 

6023 wouldn't have run with Mk 1s while in BR blue. Now, if anyone wants to repaint the SVR's GWR set into blood and custard, I'll chip in a few quid

 

Sir, your a brave man for even suggesting that!

 

A few quid? - think millions if your suggestion is at all serious!

 

Will be keeping a watch on when 6023 does go out and hoping to get a run with her when she does go out, VT Said a while ago that they hoped to run a King of Seafood train in the future and aswell as her im excited about Clun Castle's imminent return to action. Even if 6023 isn't out for long we will have 6024 as she's due back from overhaul either later this year or early 2016.

 

I wouldn't call Clun "imminent" & 6024 has no chance whatsoever of running to the timescales you are suggesting.

 

Clun's expected back early in 2016 as the boiler's hoped to be refitted in September but 6024 is hoped for 2016's Torbay season.

 

I've seen that being done on the pit road at Ropley - 60019 Bittern, I think.

 

I woulden't keep to such rigid expectations where overhauls are concerned, though 7029 is starting to look more like a locomotive again.

 

Has anyone read the July 8 update. Things seem to be going good. The pieces of the puzzle are getting closer by the day.

 

Link to update : - http://www.6023.co.uk/news/news.htm

 

More positive news from didcot shed.

http://www.6023.co.uk/news/news.htm

I have seen on one of the Facebook pages pictures of the scale pan's being installed.

I've seen she's been removed from the Pembroke run and now it's the late September Cotswold express she is rostered for.

I see a few people on hear are mentioning a preserved line for running in, so I'm waiting for something official. Maybe the great central again after her previous visit? Who knows.

I'm just keeping a keen eye on didcots roster to see if she is included in, they have one of there galas in a month or so.

James

 

I just read the news for this month and get the sense that it shall be any month or weeks from now. Didcot, tourist line? Tyseley,? Mainline

 

I do think the same as you Mike1522.

What gala's are left though this year? SVR and MHR would be a no for her?

Maybe as a running in, a l/e move up to tyseley in the wee hours of a sunday morning, to de-risk any possible disruption, a few loops on route to inspect her, oxford, banbury, aynho...

I'm keeping September's possible run free in my calender...and my visa card is poised..........

James

 

Here's some interesting FACTS.
6023 won't be going anywhere that involves a low loader. Don't want any more broken springs rocking a double red engine on and off low loader ramps. It took the first half of this year getting replacements and spare ones made.
Please watch the GWS & 6023 websites & FB page, not tour operators wish lists. 6023 has not yet been booked for ANY tours as there is still work to do (as it says on the various "official" sites).
http://6023.co.uk/news/news.htm
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Didcot-Railway-Centre/161421647218065