35018 British India Line

Somewhat belatedly, considering these posts date back to three weeks ago; you may be interested in a fascinating feature in the February issue of "Steam Days" magazine that chronicles in some detail the loan arrangements for WR, LMR and ER motive power that were made to cover the period of inspection and replacement of MN driving axles following the Crewkerne incident on 24th April 1953 involving Merchant 20 on the 16.30 Exeter Central-Waterloo. I won't attempt to precis the article, but amongst other topics covered are V2 performance on the Bournemouth Belle, and programme extensions to cover temporary Light Pacific withdrawals, and Eastern Division operations as well.

If you haven't seen it, well worth a read........

 

what did the WR loan? Britannia's ?

 

Yes.

 

Five Britannia's from WR sources, (plus a further two LM allocated examples).

 

Getting back to 35018, i for one will be happy to just see it working, i would prefer it were in Br Express green, But equally, wouldnt be to upset if its red, black, blue, its only a tin of paint, whats important is that it will be back in steam and working .

 

INDEED

CHRIS

 

I usually try and avoid livery debates as inevitably the only responses are usually either very subjective opinions or "the owner can paint it what colour they like".
Where a loco (steam or diesel) has carried a variety of liveries during it's working life. as almost all have, then during the preservation years that ensue that variety will hopefully be reflected.

The only occasions I do get annoyed is when "false" liveries are applied, either in the sense of an entirely fictitious livery, or a scheme never carried by that type or class of locomotive. Given that it the owner(s)/shareholders decision which ultimately carries the day then may I make one simple plea, choose your favourite only from amongst those which are historically accurate. Preservation should be just that, not an opportunity for inappropriate invention.

 

Any recent news on 35018?

 

It's a West Coast Railway Co locomotive and they don't say anything about what they are doing, probably the first we will know is when the test run times turn up on Real Time Trains. I can understand their policy there have been a lot of disappointments in the past when for various reasons a loco's return to traffic has been delayed.

 

I'm sure someone (RTC?) has it advertised for a tour! I have to say this is something West Coast are right with doing though. How many false starts have there been with loco's like 6023, 46100 and a certain A3? I rather like West Coast's 'it'll be ready when it's ready stance' it does seem to get a fair old bit of froth excited!

 

to be fair some rsailtour operators were scheduling 46100 for tours when it was up in the air minus wheels, so you have to take it all with a pinch of salt, it will be ready when its ready, hopefully not much longer to wait now, but theres a world of difference between being steamed and running up and down the yard, theres all the mainline stuff to be fitted, theres paining, theres testing everything works, hopefully it will be this year

 

Update in the latest issue of Heritage Railway magazine, has been painted black

 

As magazines publish earlier and earlier these days, is the April edition?

 

Mixed Traffic loco, should be black shouldn't it?

 

More BORING Black.

 

The m7 looked good in SR Black, so why not 35018..?

 

Did you ever see a lined black MN?

 

If this report is true, it will be interesting to see what it looks like in mixed traffic black i'm assuming its going to be lined out black , will it put people off traveling behind it if your in a market that needs bums on seats, are you not endangering your income, or that of the operator for example given the choice of a black 35018, with WCRC, with possible losses on people booking, or going to DBC and getting 35028, and a full take up of bookings, what would you do?

 

I don't think it will do that but it certainly would look a bit meaningless taking part in the 50th anniversary of the end of Southern steam celebrations in the summer.