6023

Railway touring company should stop advertising 6023 until the time being. Maybe it is a hopefulness on their part. I am just thinking about it at this point in the terms of where further testing shall take. I guess Great Central can be ruled out. It would be good if the King would not have to venture to far from Didcot for tests.

 

Mid Hants?..........

 

Bugger, no low loaders so not GWSR.

 

The SVR is not to far and a direct route

 

Probably the closest with a rail link, but would need a reversal to get down to Alton. Seems unlikely though

 

My Severn Valley visits would be stacking up; ASG, Tornado, 4472, now maybe this!

 

Never say never........... 10 miles of up hill & down Dale can give the loco a serious shake down - 70000 being recent "proof of the pudding"!

 

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Plus track that can get 60mph dispensation for testing.

 

That's what I was referring to - I would love to to "do the alps" at 60!

 

Recent attempts to get large GW locos to the MHR by rail have run into gauge problems, though, haven't they? Much as I'd like to see her working over the alps, I'd have thought a visit to the SVR, possibly via Tyseley for a short consultation with Dr Bob, is more likely. But we'll see what we see, when the time comes...

 

Mainline access to the Mid Hants may be problematic ? SVR or WSR seem more likely.

 

My understanding is that the new draughting arrangements need to be tested under load.

 

But subject to weight restriction I believe that would rule out running-in.

 

6024 has run at the SVR - is there a weight difference between the sisters?

 

I'm pretty sure they'd be little or no weight difference between them. Plus the SVR has a tendency to overlook these supposed weight restrictions when dealing with visitors, especially if their copper capped ones...

 

What weight restrictions?
There is a weight restricion on double headed trains with only certain combinations allowed. The SVR is an RA9 railway and can accomadate any loco. Any loco with a wheel diameter greated than 6' 2" is limited to 20 mph because of the curvature around Highley/ Aveley woods and the area around trimpley.

 

They were also meant to have 5322 and 93 as well, but that didn't happen. Last Didcot visitor was 3650 in 2012. Before that, ummm.... A few locos have gone the other way on visits (1501 and 1450 earlier this year), but Didcot locos rarely visit the SVR.