City of Wells for sale - now purchased by the ELR

I see Wells is up for sale. ELR trying to raise funds to purchase it.
https://www.preservationforgenerations.co.uk/a-home-for-wells

I've always seen 34092 as the "northern" Bulleid. It would be nice to see it stay.

 

I hope the appeal is successful. I approve of the purchase price £340920. By my reckoning that puts all gwr stock at the bottom end of the market

 

Whilst I totally agree with the sentiment, if acquisition of suitable working loco is deemed an ELR priority a stronger case exists to buy 76084 in my opinion. I make that comment even though 'Wells' is a personal favourite, an icon of the preservation era and a fabulous loco but I would be concerned about the strategy for keeping it running long term, especially when it falls due for overhaul around the same time as 13065. Maybe I am unduly pessimistic and the regeneration of in-house engineering at Bury will provide all that is necessary for a prosperous future.

 

I've donated.

 

Where it belongs

However, does that mean I could buy the Stirling Single for a tenner?! ISTR a similar thing was done with the price when the DPS bought 55 009 and 55 019 - the prices were £15500.09 and £15500.19?

 

Splitting hairs: I don't think, from reading it, that £340920 is the full purchase price, just the part of it the ELR are trying to raise via donation.

Sorry if I'm ruining the fun.

 

Interesting package names for donations I thought, especially as the most expensive one is the one named after a loco now withdrawn for overhaul loco!

Time for a euromillions win and locate it with its sisters at Swanage.

Remember summer comes soonest in the south because Bulleid's take you there!

 

Let me know what Tyseley say when you offer them £50K for Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. Reckon they'll go for it?

 

I might make an offer for 813 although I think I can only hope to afford "Prince of Wales" or "the Earl".

 

i wonder if either Ian Riley, or Hoskin may be interested in it, I could see IOS being very interested in a unrebuilt, thats not long been overhauled and has a very good reputation from its past glory days

 

It does make you wonder about the £300K asking price for 249 Squadron a few years ago....

 

Mr Riley already has 35009 to keep him busy once 47298 is completed, but a couple of people have mentioned on this forum that Jeremy Hosking would like to add a "flat top" to his collection. While you can't always take what's posted on here as gospel, the individuals concerned seemed to have good evidence for their claim.

However, the big question is whether 34092 is actually on the open market. For all we know, the current owners may want the East Lancs to have first refusal in which case no other potential buyers would get a look in, whoever they are, unless the East Lancs can't stump up the dosh.

True, but I'm still hoping that at the 11th hour, someone may take on poor old 34073 (or what's left of it) and give it a working future. if 34092 does end up being bought by the East Lancs and Mr Hosking really does want a "flat top", buying 34073 is his only chance unless Tangmere's owner(s) want(s) to sell - or the NRM decides to decommission 34051 next

 

Hillaire Belloc said "the whale is not a table fish" and I think the same sentiment really applies to Bulleids when it comes to preserved line running - too big and expensive for most. I agree that 76084 would be a better buy, but what are the chances of the ELR raising the money for either?

 

thats why in part i wonder if Ian Riley may buy a controling share in it, i know he has 35009, but has showed little interest in it, where as 34092 is in full working order and the addition of an almost go anywhere 7p as a second string to his 5's plus the modifications make it as strong as its larger cousins, so may not be such a bad idea, plus it would still be availible to the ELR ,

 

The owners probably see ELR as a preferred bidder as it is on their doorstep and would enable some retained connection?

 

Clearly a loco of 34092s calibre 'belongs' on the mainline but if that opportunity does not present itself it is a very attractive proposition for a line like ELR. I suppose the dream scenario would be a new owner committed to ELR but with resources to see it get some railtour use as well. ELR could then seek another loco and funding, preferably the 76 being locally built and latterly shedded.
That seems a trifle WIBN though!

 

It would be surprising indeed if that figure was the actual sale price for a working loco of this size not long into its ticket. Most overhauls are now more costly than that. Articles in the press suggest that this is the amount the ELR want to raise NOT that this is the purchase price. On the other hand there is a realisation that these mainline locomotives are very heavy on coal use and in reality a loco like 76084 is probably a much better long term proposition.

Not sure of the relevance of "your reckoning" in the unnecessary second part of the post.

 

Erm, he means that, by the same logic, you could buy your namesake for £601,030 and any ex-GWR loco for less than £100,000... Or am I being dim? (Quite likely)

 

I don't know how many points you get on NP for quoting Hillaire Belloc, but if I could virtually shake your hand I would...
As to the sentiment: http://www.national-preservation.com/index.php?posts/1914872
Although, I also think the KWVR will be a poorer place without it. Why did it leave?

 

Doubt it Andrew. I should know .... I have whole years like that! If Aberystwyth fancy a quick fundraiser along those lines, I could really push the boat out and and give "Llewellyn" a good home.

Perhaps a whip round'll be needed for a sensible sized turntable down there before it's wall to wall light pacifics? I've got a pickaxe I can donate for the construction and it only needs a new handle.