6023

I wonder if one option now is to fix the minor niggle that its had, use that as worthwhile experience and then shove it out somewhere like the SVR or WSR to give the new draughting a good test (that might not be until next summer because we're now fast approaching the winter maintenance closure period. Once they know that works they can then go for a retube and new certificate. No point retubing just to do draughting tests on a preserved line - might as well use the rest of this ticket for that and then have the full use of the next one. That said I have no inside knowledge on this so this is only guesswork.

 

I really do hope we see this loco on the main line one day, but it seems an awful long time coming.

 

Bit of an understatement there @Kylchap

 

Good grief, talk about half empty glasses. There was a time when it was never believed this locomotive would ever be able to leave the scrapyard. She's now back in one piece and running. That's the important bit.

And another thing's for sure: the next ticket will be a hell of a lot easier to get than the last one.

 

Surely there will be an announcement of 6023 going to a preserved line for load testing soon? We keep hearing rumours about a trip to the SVR being imminent. If that happened, it would surely be quite a big attraction. Bewdley to Kidderminster with twelve on would be a good test and probably look and sound great.

 

Some months ago it was supposed to be going to the WSR for testing. What became of that plan?

 

At an uneducated guess, needed at Didcot to run services, and needed at Didcot for the team to complete fitting all the bells and whistles for mainline running.

 

Only speculation, but Bewdley to Kidderminster is cleared for 50mph test running - not sure any part of the West Somerset is cleared for above 25mph? Royal Scot was tested on this section last year. Maybe why SVR now being considered?

If 6023 does arrive and is used on service trains I will be over like a shot. Apparently the SVR is after a hire loco for santa trains, but this one might be a bit OTT..

 

Exactly. Bewdley to Kidderminster, cleared for 50mph test running. Perfect proving ground for 6023 with its new draughting arrangements. Quite a few of us would be over like a shot if 6023 was used on service trains....

 

There seems to have been problems getting it passed for Mainline running, but I am surprised it hasn't run more at Preserved lines ? Any ideas why it hasn't ?

 

Didcot have been rather short of working locomotives of late, hopefully a thing of the past with 2999, 4079 and 'Trojan' all due in traffic in the not-too-long term?

Chris

 

Talking of Didcot, the 1014 website hasn't been updated for 4.5 months now, I hope the project will not slow down to a halt.

 

There is a 20mph speed restriction over Falling Sands Viaduct at the moment. See http://svrtrust.org.uk/our-projects/falling-sands-viaduct.html for further details.

 

The 20mph over falling sands has been there for years. I started in 2009 and it was there back then and 50mph testing has occurred on a few occasions since (met 1 and 46100 off the top of my head).

 

More likely an indication of those involved having their hands full of spanners etc working on progress rather than computer keyboard and mouse to update the website. That and sometimes there isn't a lot worth saying - there's only so much you can say about painting frames or boiler cladding sheets etc.

 

There is always a fairly decent write up of the progress of each project in the GWS Echo which comes out 4? times each year.

 

Never mind an update on 1014. What's the state of play with 'Lady of Legend'? No recent updates there either.

 

Slightly Freudian perhaps, but am I the only one who's gone to check progress on the Saint and Googled 'Lady of the Night'?

 

Now that would be a good name for a Saint/47xx hybrid.

 

Yes, it doesn't look too good at the moment. Sadly a stalwart member of the team passed away a while ago and the group has also been very frustrated by the long lead in times for having parts made for the loco and tender. At least that's what I can deduce from the last couple of updates.