Current and Proposed New-Builds

On the standard gauge, the only Cambrian locos other than 0-6-0's which made it to 1940 were a pair of 1866 vintage Sharp Stewart 2-4-0t's GW Nos. 1196/7 (ex-Cambrian 58/59), both of which lasted until April 1948. If memory serves correctly, I believe their usual haunt was the Tanat Valley.

 

An original Davies and metcalfe VoR tank? God help the crew....

 

..... not forgetting the poor old fitters! IIRC, valve gear was actuated between driving wheels and the outside frames.

The only original VoR loco I'd love to see reconstructed would be No.3 "Rheidol", a Bagnall 2-4-0t (think "Polar Bear" on steroids) originally built with a huge spark arresting chimney, for a Brazilian line of 750mm gauge (and named "Treze de Maio"), but never shipped, was regauged by Bagnall to 2'-3" and renamed "Talybont" for the short lived Plynlinom & Hafan Tramway*, which ran from Llanfihangel Station (later the now closed Llandre Halt) north of Aberystwyth, via the heaving metropolis of Talybont, to Hafan Quarries (where lived a smaller Bagnall 0-4-0st). Following closure of the P&H, along with several of that unforunate line's open wagons, it was re-gauged to 2ft, sold to Pethick's for construction of the VoR and subsequently bought into stock along with said wagons. Wooden dumb buffers were removed prior to a repaint around 1908 (when it received double lined black livery). It acquired a new steel cab in Cambrian days, but was withdrawn by the GW before it's allocated number (1198) was applied.

"Rheidol" tended to be used on the first light (mail) train up to Devil's Bridge, usually one or two coaches plus brake van and a wagon or two in tow, and as pilot loco on heavy double headed trains. It was also the only VoR loco allowed on the Harbour branch, which was largely disused from 1924.

Here it is (then named "Talybont") to the left of the John Slee monstrosity "Victoria" in P&H days. This photo is shown as from forum.e-rail.fr, but it appears in a 40 year old volume by the late Ted Wade in my possession, which is why I know the location is Talybont Station.

And again, in VoR days, lurking behind No.1 "Edward VII" at Devil's Bridge sometime between 1913 and 1922 (this one is from Wikipedia):


* A recreation of the P&H's one and only carriage runs on the Launceston Railway ... and jolly nice it looks too! This image is from the Launceston Steam Railway's website, so I doubt they'll object to the quick plug!

 

The Holden F5 site reports the pattern for the motion bracket has been delivered to the foundry. Steady progress appears to be being made.

☆☆The F5 Facebook page contains a WARNING concerning links to video clips, some of which may be virus infected. Some deletions are evident, but best be on the safe side folks☆☆

http://holdenf5.co.uk/news/

 

Quite serendipitously, came across this interesting film about a couple of US new builds - though as they are getting on towards 40 years old now, they are historic in their own right!



Bit more info here: http://cprr.org/Museum/Replicas/ - interesting to see they were built with $1.5m (at late 1970s values, so a lot more now) of US Government money. Can't imagine Mrs May coughing up to fund replicas of UK locos of equivalent historical significance!

Tom

 

So, what has happened this month in the new-build circuit:
-2999's boiler is fired up out of frames for the first time.
-The F5 motion bracket pattern has been delivered to the foundry.
-The frame assembly of 72010 is started (no pictures yet)
-The Royal British Legion withdrew its support for 5551 Unknown Warrior
-The County Group is suffering from lack of parts/material sources and Crewe dropping the firebox & boiler barrel contract
-The Darlington P2 group is still making progress.
-6880 is having cylinder cladding fitted.
-4709's wheelsets are complete.
and the flues are being put in 32424's boiler.

 

I couldn't find anything new on either of the B17's either!

 

And 5551's builders have announced that they have a new boiler contractor

 

Which is very good.

 

The 82045 group just uploaded their November 2017 update. The Left and Right tanks are almost complete.

 

I know Lord Faringdon did more miles than the P2s or Merchant Navies! Probably used more coal too!

 

What about a Furness 0-6-0?
But then again, one already exists...200 ft underground...

 

Source? That seems unlikely in the MNs case.

The P2s seem plausible given their short working lives.

 

1,107.000 miles, can't remember the source of top of head. Says 'Top Link.' to me.

 

Have to admit, I have a guilty pleasure for the 9F subclass Nos 92020-9, the ones experimentally built with Franco-Crosti boilers:



I mean I know some people think they are ugly, and maybe they are, and they didn't deliver any significant savings to justify the complex design, but I kind of like them. Its that smokebox... it makes it look like some sort of surreal spaceship or other...

I propose either the derelict 92207 or 92245 be converted into one, rather than, you know, rusting away for another couple of decades...

 

I suspect that the owner of 92207 who has invested thousands of pounds of his own money into restoring his (non-derelict) loco would not share your enthusiasm for such a proposal.

I would further suggest that the owner of 92245 would prefer you didn't make proposals about his loco!


Keith

 

I also admit my GUILTY pleasure into wanting to see a Franco-Crosti 9F. Would be nice to see one.

 

Well you do have a few spare BigBoys kicking about doing nothing over there Aron. Hows about you convert one of those to a Crosti? ..... and in return, we'll turn a Merchant Navy around into a cab-in-front, which would cure that drifting exhaust issue once and for all!

I'll get my coat .......

 

Most of the Big Boys are static exhibits. Only one (4014) is currently being restored to operational conditional at Union Pacific's shops in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

 

I know .... I follow updates at up.com as they come out. This is a restoration which has grabbed my attention ever since I first heard the possibility being discussed. There's literally nothing small about those remarkable locos.

Assuming UP follow their usual practice, it'll be fascinating to see 4014 haul it's first revenue earning heavy freight train since 1959. If Cheyenne can stick to their timetable, we could see the BigBoy and Callenger in steam together in about 5 years. Definitely something to look forward to.