Repton

I agree with you to some extent, but the outstanding work required on the out of service engines I listed is comparatively minimal. All of them are either well into their overhauls or are undergoing life extension repairs which are progressing nicely.

 

If we look at that list carefully, there are quite a few which are very very unlikely to be working the main season next year:
29- I don't know exactly how far the work on the new cylinder has gone, but I don't believe it has arrived at Grosmont yet, in which case there is still a huge amount of work left to do, I expect the best we are likely to see is the end of 2018 and even if it was earlier, it isn't able to work the peak service trains.
825- there haven't been many updates on this, however hopefully it'll be back next year, but at what stage isn't very clear at the moment, it probably can't be relied upon to make most of the main season
926- yes I think we can rely on this one to be running including Whitby
5428- again should be running including Whitby next year
34101- like 825, hopefully next year but there will still be a huge amount of work to do once the boiler returns, and with lots of winter maintenance to do as well, at what point it will be ready is difficult to predict
61264- should still be around next year including Whitby
63395- should be back by next year
76079- should still be around next year including Whitby, although the huge mileage accumulated over the last 4 years is going to mean there will probably be quite a bit of maintenance needed to keep it the reliable performer it has become
80136- should still be running next year
80135- again by no means definite, there is a huge amount of boiler work needed, and will most probably not make the main season even if it is back next year.
60007- also has a lot of work left to do, and probably isn't a serious contender for the main season
65894- hopefully it will be around, and hopefully we can make use of it, but probably not for the very busiest trains in summer

Overall, I count 4 Whitby locos and 3 non-Whitby (including 65894 which isn't really suited to the busiest summer trains). With the possibility 825 and 34101 back to help at some point during the main season. That leaves 29, 80135 and 60007 which I feel are very unlikely to make any serious appearance next year. Whilst this is a better picture than there has been for quite a few years, I don't think we'll be hiring out Repton anytime soon!

Note: I very much hope I am wrong and all of the 11 locos you mention are in service by the start of the running season. I am just saying there is an massive amount of work to do to achieve that, and even with the tremendous efforts and work rates we have seen in the last few years I doubt it is all achievable.

 

To paraphrase someone we all know well - that's just WIBN dreaming

 

The Moors seems to have suffered some bad luck in recent years - 75029 withdrawn 3 years into ticket, 61264 wheelset problem with protracted repair, issues with paperwork(?) meaning 63395's boiler being re-done a couple of years after heavy overhaul at Crewe, contractor delays with 80135.....

Things do sound more positive now but it's surely going to take time to get properly on top of things. As has been pointed out 76079 and 61264 in particular (as Whitby locos) have been worked very hard so far this season and it would be no surprise to see them needing extensive maintenance at the end of the season. Echoing the comments upthread the loco dept has worked wonders to keep the service going while simultaneously outshopping Repton and keeping 5428's overhaul moving forward/

A long-running debate has been whether it is better to have multiple hire/ contract locos or a large home fleet- I would imagine this year if a suitable hire loco or two had been available then they would have been welcomed with open arms. Hopefully 63395 and 825 will add balance to the fleet in 2018. I've not heard if 825 is planned to be passed for Whitby this time?

Jon

 

The Essex Locomotive Society has its own website featuring regularly updated information on the progress of the boiler work.

https://www.elocomotive.co.uk/

I should just clarify that I didn't mean that all of the engines I listed would see service next summer, but that I expect that with the possible exception of the A4 they should all be out at some point during 2018.

 

So how about this as more conservative prediction for 2018?

926, 5428, 61264, 63395, 76079, 80136: available all year, barring accidents.
65894: available in spring, on hire elsewhere in summer.
825, 34101: available in time for some or all of the summer season.
60007: available in time for the autumn gala if it comes back at all.
29, 80135: available in time for the Santas.

 

I don't think 75029 or 80135 will be back next year, and I also think 34101 is possibly questionable but 5428, 63395 and 65894 all look as though they will be finished this autumn. 75029 is now being given precedence over 80135. All we know of 29 is that its cylinder block has been, or is about to be cast. The experience with 76079's new cylinder was that it didn't take long to fit because it was machined to a high degree of accuracy following laser scanning. It shouldn't need much else doing to it as it was barely into a 10yr ticket when withdrawn. 60007 and 825 are being overhauled away from the railway, but both seem to be progressing well and with no other distractions for their owners will hopefully return next year as well.

 

I'll go along with pretty much all of that as the likely state of things.

 

I can confirm that 928 will most likely be green...... if that helps.

Loco now off its wheels, first time since BR. Main axlebox journals need a skim/polish. Bogie needs minimal work.

https://m.facebook.com/V-Class-928-Stowe-541470399255215/

To help achieve three schools in traffic in the UK for the first time since BR please consider joining the MLS. We need your support.

http://www.maunsell.org.uk/pages/society.htm

Regards

Ben

MLS

 

While I think its a good idea, what I cant get an answer to is the practicalities, namely would a large 4-4-0 be able to haul a big enough train to make it economically feasible and are there any particular issues with running a 4 coupled loco on the National Network.

Based on City of Truro's last main line outings, the answers may be that it might work but can anyone contribute to that discussion?

 

There is a world of difference between City of Truro and a Schools. They coped with the gradients on the Hastings line and on the western section I've heard that a lot of drivers preferred them to a Lord Nelson.

 

The Schools' work on the Southern was legendary, with some pretty hefty loads. I'm just about to start digging into Richard Hardy's book "Steam in the Blood", which I'm pretty sure will have references to the Schools class.

Richard.

 

Schools class is rated as a 4 , so should be capable enough to cope with most of the current tour loads, the biggest issue would be distance of water stops, the Southern standard tender is normally 4000 gallons or 3500, i for one would love to see a schools back on their stomping grounds, especially if that included a tour Victoria to
Eastbourne then dragged back to Hatings, and then returned via the Hastings - Tonbridge route.

 

About 31 years for a start....

 

So, on the face of it, no particular reason why you cant have a Schools on the main line then?

 

Yep, the Schools were 12 tons heavier and nearly 30 years newer than the Cities. It would be a very sad state of affairs if they weren't considerably more capable.

 

A D49 is a much better idea...

 

They weren't the most successful of Sir Nigel's locos, very rough riding I think

 

I know they might not have been his most successful design, but then not all of his were. However, looking for an 0-4-0 from the Eastern region Id plum for that idea.

Got to love how comparing a Schools with a City is a way of trying to promote the formers success. If anything it shows how good the Western Region design was, and highlights areas of Southern design which were behind in thinking compared with other regions.

But if you like an engine, as many here like a Schools, then your happy with your design and to see this one return.

 

Totally agree a V on the mainline would be lovely, perhaps on the SSE hoping to promote NYMR. Schools were 5P in BR days.
Does 926 have increased water capacity?