46233 Duchess of Sutherland.

Oh well, never mind

 

I might actually get to see her in green then - I missed her last year, although my wife & nephew saw her at Scarborough, when 46233 was on one of the trains from Crewe. I suspect that photos don't do her justice; I wait to see the 'real thing' for myself

Mark

 

Interesting that they are doing this with the name-plates in situ. I'd have expected unnecessary bits to have been removed first, but that's because I'm a very clumsy painter.

BR green on the Duchess seemed even more like camoflage than it normally does. Even in good light, she hardly stood out against the moors and fields. For that reason alone I'll be glad to see her back in rich crimson. (Or maybe she's going blue... ;-) )

 

Well it will make a change from NRM bashing and throwing down gauntlets!

 

46233 will work down To Derham on Thursday 18th July and back to Crewe on Monday 22nd July.

http://www.mnr.org.uk/calendar/events/steamgala/

 

I do like that green paint job. Bring on Bahamas.

 

Wanna see it in green? Come to the MNR gala. We really appreciate every single bit of patronage....

 

Wanna cab it? http://www.mnr.org.uk/calendar/events/steamgala/index.html#footplate

 

Happy 75th birthday, Duchess! 13 July 2013

Duchess owners PRCLT are celebrating the anniversary this weekend by throwing open the West Shed at Swanwick to view their manifold railway treasures. On the hottest day of the year so far, the Duchess was running on Midland Railway - Butterley trains to both ends of the line from Swanwick Junction, and Patrons and Friends were allowed free rides in the fine ex-LMS Inspection Saloon and Royal Saloon owned by the Trust. It was a pleasure also to see certain other vintage locos in fine condition.

See 26 photos at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p565916228

Peter, early on a sunny Sunday morning in Manchester, with another scorcher coming
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Lovely shot of the Duchess on page 23 of The Guardian today:

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

It that the "radical plan for rail in the north" mentioned below...? Steam?

 

Is it the tunnel between Manchester and Sheffield? (Nothing to do with steam I recon - or trains)

 

The trains would be longer...it would solve over crowding...jus sayin'...

 

Fr0m an email received from PMR Today : -

Duchess of Sutherland update
The Duchess is currently undergoing major repair work at the West Shed. During the 'fitness to run' examination prior to a main line trip scheduled for 18th November, a crack was discovered in one of 46233’s flue tubes. The locomotive was promptly returned to the West Shed for remedial work to be carried out. Unfortunately, on further investigation, it has been found that 21 of the 40 flue tubes are cracked. As this requires significant work to be carried out, the decision has been made to take the opportunity to carry out additional major work on the boiler to enable 46233 to gain a new boiler certificate now, rather than waiting until it is needed in 2021. Due to the labour involved in the work required we are estimating that the Duchess will be completed and ready for action around June/ July 2018. The locomotive will be repainted into LMS Crimson Lake livery before returning to the main line to operate trips for rail tour companies including ‘Steam Dreams Rail Co.’ and ‘The Railway Touring Company’.

PMR Tours trips

Unfortunately we are not yet able to confirm any ‘PMR Tours’ trips with the Duchess for 2018. Whilst we had originally intended to run several of our own trips, this has become increasingly difficult due to various obstacles including:

• A growing shortage of main line steam drivers available to be provided by West Coast Railways, our Train Operating Company. WCR is understandably prioritising the operation of its own trips rather than third party organisations such as ‘PMR Tours’.
• Less availability of coaching stock for hire from WCR due to heavy demand from tour operators who operate on a regular basis and so get first priority.
• Increased costs involved in operating a main line trip, e.g. hire of diesel locomotives and coaching stock.
• The disruption to Derby railway station from late July to mid-October while it is re-modelled.

Added to this is the unforeseen work now required on the Duchess which means that she will be out of action for the first half of 2018. We will update you as and when we have more information.

 

21/40...bad batch of tubes or???

 

News from the West Shed facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/PRCLTWestS...07520000.1530090928./2125303887682823/?type=3

Knut

 

Several new pictures from the West Shed from their well updated facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/PRCLTWestShed/posts/2139607716252440

https://www.facebook.com/PRCLTWestShed/posts/2142535999292945

regards,
Knut

 

Thanks for the heads up on this. Any idea of timings please as I couldn't find it on RTT, thanks.