2999: Lady of Legend

Indeed. 28xxs and others also had the square front framing at first until Mr Holcroft "softened " the profile. I always understood that it was this class of 4-6-0 which marked a total step-change in GWR loco design/performance etc. However, compared to what the LNWR was building at the time (4-4-0s) the GWR locos were expensive to build. Given that this loco was a major development in the evolutionary tree, it really does deserve to be recreated (I know an original one wasn't but this is the next best thing). It looks that we will soon achieve that now. I've caught the 21st Century illness, I think, in that I want it now and too soon isn't soon enough! (Of course, I'm not paying the bills or doing the work!).

 

Yes, the 2-8-0 tanks also had the square framing, and quite a few of those retained it into BR days.

 

4277 being one example. Seen here at Toddington in 1989 after we bought it from Barry Scrapyard. The paintwork was nearly all my own efforts so don't look too closely! Note the Midland Railway lamp post from Gloucester Eastgate Station which, because it wasn't the correct GWR type, moved around the GWSR stations and I believe, ended up at Winchcombe. I think the Autocoach is No 169, which ended up at the WSR and is now being lovingly restored.

 

I don't have time to look, but I think 7229 is an example of a square framed 72xx

 

What is perhaps rather unique to the Saint (and I say this based on my own experience and observations) is that it has interest past just the GWR circle. I'm LNER through and through but seeing the new Saint is high on my wishlist.

Why? You could argue reasonably there's very few engines like it (aware of the irony of that comment!) because it is a much older GWR design and the founding father of all the modern two cylinder 4-6-0 machines across the country, arguably. Without the Saint you don't get the plethora of GWR 4-6-0s and you certainly do not get the Stanier Black Five.

It is also astonishingly pretty and I am also very taken with the idea of seeing it as an Atlantic as well - making it Britain's earliest design Atlantic and potentially (dependent obviously on the Beachy Head boys) the only Atlantic in steam.

All in all it's a fascinating recreation and a rather well thought out and authentic one.

 

Yes, I like it too, as an LMS fan. The GWR seemed to be unique in building and running such advanced designs at such an early date, almost as if, say, the LNWR or Midland had put Jubilees or Black Fives into service in the early 1900s

 

it seems a 2018 visit to Didcot should be on my list.

 

My understanding is that the Saints and the 28s were pretty much designed and developed together. 2818 alongside 2999 would be a worthy image since 2818 also has straight frames and no external steam pipes.

 

.... had they done so with inside valve gear. (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

The 29's undoubtedly do cross the normal recognised tribal boundaries.

 

When asked by the great western board why his locos cost four times the price of a lnwr one, his reply was "because one of mine can pull four of theres backwards!"

 

I think it was twice not 4x in fact

 

The upshot of which was a series of loco trials in Aug 1910. Experiment 1471 'Worcestershire' ran on the GWR on the same turns as 4003 'Lode Star'. 4005 'Polar Star' went to the LNWR to run in comparison with 1455 'Herefordshire'.

Churchward's confidence was not misplaced...

 

There are variations on the quote. I think it was two GWR locos for the price of 3 LNWR ones in most versions. Most versions also include Churchward's favourite sanguinary adjective.

 

Yes I left that out.

 

The "colourful" version endears GJC rather better IMO.

 

I'll be 120 by the time we get a single 72xx working.

 

Yes but I'm sure the mods wouldn't like me saying bloody....

 

Well 7200 and 7202 are both quite well advanced, so unless you've already had a birthday card from the queen, I would say you'll be ok.

Keith

 

7202 I recall just after arrival from Barry when I was a youthful volunteer and I was really impressed with it then, so I'm looking forward to it being finished. I think there are more problems with the boiler than they anticipated though. 7229 is making strides by all accounts