Next New Build to be completed

Indeed they will.

PH

 

Speaking of Lyn, she's finally steamed for the first time today!

 

There is plenty of film on YouTube of Lyn's first public steaming this week. Looks great, a real tribute to everyone involved.

 

If I should guess I think that no 6880 "Betton Grange" seems to be the next new build steam loco to be completed.

Knut

 

Considering the number of 'old bits' added from other locomotives they did have a bit of a head start, although I'm still not sure if you can call it a 'new build' with all them old parts . . . . . . . how's the other "Gas Works" amalgamation's doing at Didcot they must be getting close too?

 

I think 2999's not far away latest edition of Steam Railway shows it being ready for action. Think the boilers already had it's steam test.

 

And a photo from Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/DidcotRail...421647218065/2185565851470291/?type=3&theater

 

Thanks a lot my friend! I was not aware of their facebook-page. I`m really looking foreward to see the Saint! With their big driving wheels they look a bit mighty

Knut

 

Yes, I was in doubt should I refer to it as a "new-build" or a "rebuilding" maybe?

 

I'm not sure whether or not the GWR "New Builds" should really be categorised as "GWR bits arranged in a different order" locomotives...

 

Probably depends on whether it is being done on the capital, revenue or renewal fund

Tom

 

Tom's exactly right I think.
But typically on the GWR, according to my current understanding, a renewal was most often a replacement for an existing asset, which might, but need not, be constructed using secondhand parts that were usable, often, but not invariably from the predecessor. The original Granges were, IIRC, renewals (with a degree of betterment) of 4300 2-6-0s, and around half of a 43 (not necessarily all from the same 43) went into each Grange.

I submit that Lady of Legend is clearly a renewal of Maindy Hall.

Betton Grange is a bit trickier since its all its parts donors have either not been broken up, or else (Willington Hall) are being renewed as another locomotive.

I suppose, logically, then, Betton Grange is a genuine new build, as an expansion to the preserved GWR fleet, and what is more she is the first new new Grange, all the GWR ones having been renewals!!

 

The Saint, whether you want to class it as one or another, is still a thing of beauty.

I went and had a peek a few months back and only managed a glimpse of the beautifully restored tender with new tank and flush rivets.

I remember seeing it in 2007 when it wasn’t much more than a new chassis, a boiler and the unrestored tender. It’s now looking every bit the thoroughbred the original Saints were.

This coming from a dyed in the wool LNER man, but I’m really looking forward to seeing the saint.

 

Oh for a summers day at Arley with the SVR's rake of Churchward Toplights!

 

Any up to date info or photos?

 

Is it just me that thinks the early straight-framed Saint is butt fugly and that they're barmy not to have gone for the later curved-frame style?

 

...and then it would just look like all the other GWR 4-6-0's. Viva la difference!

 

It already does look like all the other GWR 4-6-0's...
(Please excuse me while I run for cover)

 

Possibly, but to me the straight frame has an 'earlier' look that has its own elegance. I believe the 4-4-2 option is also an aspiration which was originally only trialed on the early straight frame locos.

 

Its not ugly, but the drop frames were far more elegant. Lady of Legend will however still be an absolute knockout, a long legged, high stepping Edwardian beauty, the like of which no-one as seen this past half-century