Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

Even if its only under consideration, this is excellent news!

 

Does it mean cannabalising Eddystone to make Sidmouth though?

 

Ho-hum... So not only are new-builds frowned upon because they divert resources from restoring ex-Barry wrecks, but SLL is not allowed to consider restoring another ex-Barry locomotive on the sacrilegious off-chance one or two components might be swapped with an out-of service locomotive in the short-term.

As a shareholder who knows about SLL's track record of going around the houses (in a good way) with their restoration projects (correct-pattern BFB wheels for tenders etc.), I doubt it would mean that at all, and I'm sure 34028's numerous supporters amongst the shareholders would be consulted if it did.

 

The provisional plan is for Sidmouth to use Eddystone's boiler as it's a known quantity and likely to be available sooner. Sidmouth's boiler would then go onto Eddystone. There's also a plan of how to lift Eddystone's boiler and keep the bottom end under cover. SLL has most of the parts to build Sidmouth; some missing items will be borrowed from Eddystone, and replacements made when required. Other parts, e.g. the cab will be built from scratch. No new tender is planned. With the completion of 257 Squadron's new tender we will have four, and there's no realistic chance of all five locos running at once.

All the above is contingent on SLL's shareholders and other supporters stepping up to the plate. The easy option would be to leave Sidmouth to rot, but we want to "kick for the corner" (to use the rugby metaphor) and make sure that none of fleet is a "no-hoper" in the future.

 

Was not meant to sound negative just a question. Will be good to recreate a picture of Sidmouth leaving Swanage from BR days and bring another loco back from the dead.

 

Not at all. It's a fair question. Borrowing implies a return when required, which is what we will do. Cannibalise is a bit more final!

 

So what is the overhaul list now Sidmouth, Eddystone then Manston I am assuming.


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Yes, though some thought is being given to parallel processing.

 

Reading the article, the word "may" is used twice and the emphasis is that a final decision won't be taken before Christmas. It does seem, however, that there's plenty of goodwill to tackle this final SLL restoration, sepecially as some work was undertaken before 34053 jumped thre queue. I just hope the goodwill converts into hard cash! It may (and probably will) mean a longer wait to see Eddystone back in action, but that's a small price to pay if another Bulleid will be given a working future.

Also, as a minor point, am I not right in thinking that Sidmouth is the only rebuilt "WC" apart from Bodmin which actually carried a crest above the nameplate in BR days? (34027's and 34046's have been added in preservation, so I believe)

 

Thanks John. Yes, Sidmouth had a crest: https://picasaweb.google.com/116839141471298057728/1034010Sidmouth#5594421300519714370

 

To raise another question this year we had Wells and P&O return to service, which will be the next bulleids back in service?

I would hazard a guess it will be Braunton followed by Clan Line but then which one will be next?

 

Sir Archie should be back in traffic in the second half of next year.

Tom

 

I don't think we can really count P&O; it still hasn't got its third connecting rod on yet! I suspect it will be the first restoration completed in 2016, as it's supposed to be in service for the beginning of next running season, definitely!

 

35018 perhaps? Then as Tom says 34059 is due back next year and 34072 and 34081 could be contenders next year as well.

 

STILL????

 

I forgot that the boiler is at Crewe being worked on, is there any work to do to the loco or is it drop the boiler on and away he goes?

 

I know, I know! I can assure you the first I see mention that it'll be on service trains I shall put it here!

 

Well, I don't suppose anything is ever quite as easy as that, but metaphorically yes, just drop the boiler in. Unlike the Standard 5, all the running plate and lubrication runs are supported from the frames, not the boiler, so very little was disturbed when the boiler was lifted, and with any luck, there is very little to reassemble once the boiler goes back in. So hopefully the time between the boiler being returned and entry into service should be much quicker for than it was for Camelot.

Tom

 

Correction, 34081 will be back next year.

 

Icons are still saying December 2015 for Braunton.