Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

Clearly 5029 is starting from a more complete point but once running it is probably quite route restricted as well as absorbing maintenance resources that might otherwise support a MN.
Thr 'gubbins' you mention, air pump, electronics etc, could be reused from 5029 on a MN.
Then there is the history of 5029 as a somewhat indifferent mainline performer?
It seems unlikely there will be a shortage of main line Castles either whereas the significantly more useful MNs, or 'lights' for that matter, are pitifully under-represented.
All said, its each to their own and if the owner of 5029 wants it running that is that.

 

That would be great, I've missed the random choice of direction when departing behind a Bulleid.

 

With 5029 I am sure the locomotive running gear was overhauled and in good order shortly before the boiler was failed, therefore it should be a simple boiler overhaul and minor attention to the loco to get it back in service.

 

SLL (owners) do not wish to their locos to go main line I believe. No doubt @nickt would clarify/confirm.

 

SLL use the same engineering standards as applied to main line operating locos, however we do not fit all the electronic stuff which is required to haul a train on Network Rail. Our locos are registered with NR and can travel on the main line in light steam; the last time was when Eddystone and Manston went to Eastleigh-100. Hypothetically Sir Keith Park could go to the KWVR Gala this week by rail, though it's actually going by low-loader. There is no current intention to operate 257 Squadron to Wareham.

 

Is it simply that the business case isn't there or is there any other reason for SLL not going mainline?

 

Support crew, or lack of, would be an issue, as it would mean that work on the rest of the fleet would have to stop. I'd imagine the business case for any mainline locomotive is fairly marginal due to limited steaming periods. This would preclude charging a daily rate, and would necessitate a high hire fee, which is equally constrained by what promoters are willing to pay.

However, an operation similar to the NYMR crewed by Swanage crews would be an interesting proposition, although the moguls would probably be eminently suited to this task.

 

Also. What other mainline work would there be for another Bulleid, maybe more? Unless you are a solely mainline loco, think Clan line or the A1. I know the latter does heritage but the support crew are full time. It is a massive strain on resources and time.

 

There would probably be enough work for another two class 7 and maybe even up to three class 8 Bulleids, but this would eventually be at the expense of some of the class 6 and below locomotives out there. However, the ongoing steam availability crisis means we are not in a position to even test the market saturation point at the moment. The other problem is that they are not necessarily based in areas of the country where they are most needed, and again we go back to volunteer manning and supervision in getting to the start point.

 

As far as I can see, SLL seem to have no problems finding operators for their locos when they are in traffic - given that fact, what advantage would there be swapping the relative certainties of a hire agreement on a major line giving a high number of days in traffic if wanted, with the uncertainty, inconvenience and extra cost of equipment of mainline running? Not to mention the fact that, if required, a major line can probably give them large numbers of consecutive days in traffic which must be better from a firebox point of view than the irregular steamings on the mainline.

(Disclaimer: I'm not an SLL member or connected with them in any way).

Tom

 

That's more or less it. You need very deep pockets to run on the main line as the technical and commercial risks are greater than on heritage lines. We have plenty to do keeping six locos serviceable and restoring Sidmouth along the way. Nick

 

For those who missed the latest CanPac post on the MHR website you can find it here

http://preservation.watercressline.co.uk/blog/entry/eastleigh-september-update

 

Happy to report that 34072 257 Squadron's boiler repairs are finally completed and today it got its boiler certificate. http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/

 

Excellent work!

 

How long before a return to traffic?

 

in time for July 2017 ?
Just out of interest, are there any preserved bulleid pacifics that that made it through to the end? i guess blackmoor vale may have as she was purchased straight out of service as was Clan line, so out of the number now preserved which locos made it through to 1967?

 

That would be obvious wouldn't it?!

 

What was the one the MNLPS was after originally? Was it 35018? Didn't that survive till the end?