Current and Proposed New-Builds

The day it is announced that it shall be built like this

https://i.imgur.com/ZQjgKpG.jpg

they will sell five pencils more and have Englands best looking pacific when finished

 

Yes, like this

http://www.davidheyscollection.com/userimages/0001-colour-rail-BRE1561.jpg

 

I like that blue - but the dark GER type blue with the red lining out was far better, including the blue cylinder covers. It really was a magnificent looking machine when built, IMO. Added a real sense of utilitarian purpose to the front end of the Gresley Pacifics. Imagine if it had been built with its intended Bugatti front end though. I doubt there'd be quite so many naysayers!

 

The P2 doesn't really look quite right in any of its forms, in my opinion. 2002 as originally built would have been the best looking of teh bunch if it hadn't had to have extra smoke deflectors grafted on. I don't think turning them into A2/2's actually made them uglier.

If we were going for a Thompson new build I'd want an A2/3 - it's the most pure representation of what he was trying to achieve.

 

Please no Thompson dogs dinners. Sir Vincent Raven made one of the most beautiful Pacifics. Perhaps too far fro. Memory, but a decent if basic engine.

 

How much technical difference between A2/2 and A2/3.
Whelbase and grate area was the samme and mass also?

 

I presume no colour photos of it in this condition?
I've seen a couple of B&W, a model and a painting, but never a colour photo.
Contemporaneous colour LNER photo survive, including a good number pre-war. They are absolutely wonderful.

 

Not sure on the specs, but the footplatemen favoured the A2/3 apparently, & they should know!

 

I find the Raven's very ugly with their low footplate and straight lines. Victorian styling on an engine too large to carry it off. I'd have the A2/3 every time out of those two.

But if I had the necessary millions there are many other contenders, including a second A3 or a Kylchap V2. Plus lots of older engines - one of the several Baltic tanks, a GWSR Big Bogie, a Davy Jones West Highland Bogie, an L&Y Atlantic - the epitome of straight-laced Victoriana. And several others.

Edit: In reality, a lot would depend on what drawings could be found.

 

A Raven A2 City of Ripon was given a Gressley boiler in 1929.
https://photos.smugmug.com/LNERStea...Pacifics with an A1-style taper boiler-XL.jpg

If one can cast a new V2-like Uniblock cylinder-group and give it outside valve gear we are not straying to far from reality 1930 post Chapelon.
I find that the Thomson rebuild of B16 into B16/3 improved the look.

 

Ok, not a new build steam loco, but the Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society have posted a promo video on their thread, if anyone is interested.

 

Some Pre-Grouping Ideas:
Since Jones Goods No. 103 is locked up at Glasgow, why not build a new Highland loco, like a Drummond K, know as a "Barney"?

Or a new NBR A (LNER N15) Class 0-6-2T?

 

I rather like the look of the latter.

 

Very similar to the preserved LNER N7 no 69621 in my eye.

Knut

 

NBR Drummond R Class 4-4-0T anyone?

 

Something a bit larger.
An A8
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...h-2359458-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg?1539594339956

 

Unusual with the plate wheels at the front bogie. Why not spoked wheels?

 

My inexpert eye thinks it looks as if it might have been quite light at the front end. Maybe they wanted a bit more weight on the bogie?

 

an A5 would be nice

 

Having looked at Henry Oakley on Saturday, in the absence of either GNR Atlantic ever running again it'll be nice to see Beachy Head running