Steam Locomotive Restoration of the Decade 2010-2019

Some fairly clear winners from that exercise.
Glad to see the amazing work of the RPSI (and HRI) getting the recognition!

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On the matter of 4942, HAD It required frame sections, wheels and cylinders etc, then Provided that they were made specifically for 4942 from 'New' materials then IN MY VIEW, it would qualify as a restoration, as per No. 27 on the Bluebell. Had components from an existing locomotive been used then,again in My view We would be looking at some kind of different description.

 

I hate to say it, but you seem to have missed the 7 likes for the nomination of Gervase!

 

What about L.Y.R. class 23 752 turned out in B.R. black bands round B.R. number 51456, and thus when the axleboxes were stripped they were found to be in very good condition.

 

The one there has been footage of from the ELR this weekend? It looks very smart, and I'm looking forward to seeing it at the spring gala (I presume, anyway)

 

Is the class 23 on a joint loan running agreement with the K.V.L.R. and E.L.R.? or have Riley Engineering just carried out the overhaul work for 51456?

 

Nothing to do with Riley. A joint project between the owners the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Trust and the ELR.

 

752 was moved from the K&WVR to the ELR in 2016 as it's base. That's maybe where @Davo has got WVR from.

 

Last time I saw 752 in steam, she was double heading with 34092 at a WVR Gala many moons ago. Looking forward to seeing her in action once more.

 

Perhaps different constraints?

For example paid staff might also have to spend time working maintaining other locomotives, they may also fulfil other roles for their railway ie driver. A volunteer restoration can take a ‘be ready when it is ready’ position, a paid for restoration might need to be done by a tight deadline because the owner needs to loco to start earning money and paying back the cost of the restoration.

It is a bit apples and oranges.

I’d also add, that in the past, the pay for paid staff was frankly miserable, so there can be high staff turnover, loss of key skills suddenly etc etc.

Having a wealthy patron doesn’t always guarantee success *cough* Thornbury Castle*cough*

 

Fair comment, but I suggest those constraints are widespread.


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Sorry for being late to the party... but this is a classic example of enthusiasts ALWAYS looking backwards. The industry continues to move forwards, steam operators today also move with times, regulation and technology.

For me, the restoration of the decade is Galatea. Yes its a fantastic achievement to see the engine return, but so was the idea of putting it into BR Midland-ish late crest. WCRC liked the idea of their own guise on their engine, operating in 2010's... Its not the late 50s... its not trying to look or be in the late 50s or 60s..

 

Isn't that often the enthusiast dream and also how in general as people age, they look back to a time when the sun always shone? The good old days etc etc before foreign countries controlled our sovereignty etc etc. Bear with me while I turn down the Vera Lyn on the gramophone .....

Part of me thinks that when Grant Shapps announces that 'Beeching cuts are to be reversed', this is not by accident but a statement that he knows will appeal to supporters of a certain demographic.

Then there's railway historians who have very valid points about restoring accuracy where it is clear that history is attempted to be restored.

A cheeky question if I may - to those old enough to remember LMS colours in the flesh so-to-speak. How well is your flat screen and photo paper calibrated and how is your memory on the degree of fading from the sun from a time when the sun always shone?

 

I don't always think its that. I think its the fact that people decided that the end of steam was the best time railways ran. That is when history in railways thus stopped. They look back anchoring every view to the idea of that being best - when it was good and great and is very evocative but times have changed and the standard of operation today is equally impressive on the rail network if not more so.

Its 2020 engines are still adding to their histories and legacies that they have done before. I can't imagine people decrying some of the great performances seen on railtours in the last 10 years of engines powering up lines or running at speed on a network, just because it is 2010-20 and not the end of steam.... yet they will bemoan the fact that the same engine they just liked the sound and performance is in the 'wrong' paint. Its not wrong - its just different!

 

I disagree. From what I see West Coast are aiming exactly at portraying the 1950's and early 1960's. Is it not of note that every locomotive owned by David Smith carries the late BR logo when in service, the exact era in question? The BR red Galatea carried, despite being fictitious for a 5X is a livery from that era. Olton Hall is the only exception and with good reason.

This WCRC corporate livery for steam locomotives people talk of is a myth, or if it exists I am yet to see it. Their diesels, yes - but a different discussion and I think they are missing a trick there when compared to what LSL are doing with their diesel fleets appearance.

 

Wait until you get older young man, you'll probably look back to your younger days with the same rose tinted spectacles that the older generation do today and the same degree of cynicism regarding the "modern world."

 

I take your point but think that they are aiming at a market that is portraying something that is an experience and something to be enjoyed. Not every element is exactly as it was, but the experience is enjoyable and the reason WCRC can get people on their trains.

My point is that people are decrying the lack of authenticity as a reason why Galatea should not be overhaul of the decade, because she was outshopped in Maroon. It was a livery that was close to the pacifics done at the time and it was fine and looked great for an engine operating in 2010's. The reason why Galatea and WCRC are getting a mention is the choice of some to nominate the Jubilee for the accolade. Yet the reason why the point was raised wasn't mainly linked to Galatea, it was the 8F also in Maroon or a MN in express blue - not totally authentic, but perfectly fine to where a previous guise that others carried in the current scene.

As Spamcan81 mentions, theres always the temptation to remember things fondly. I will love to see an Intericty Swallow HST with Valenta engines, or a 142 in regional railways. Yet, things need to be seen in perspective or of looking at how things operate today and take that into consideration. Its also that companies/trusts/owning groups exist to run things 'like' they were, not 'exactly as' they were. Which is why we need to look forwards to get something running and running well as pragmatism is better than cynicism over what can be done today with a nod and tribute to the past. ​

 

Alternatively, every succeeding generation (assuming there are that many more to come*) will look back at the opening decades of the 21st century .... and judge it's when the 'western world' completely lost the plot.

*hell's donkeys ..... I'm in an inexplicably optimistic mood today!

 

I completely agree.