7027 Thornbury Castle

IIRC 7027 was extracted from Barry as a source of spares with no intention to restore (likewise with 5043) so not sure at what stage she became a viable restoration project I would assume not until Tyseley sold her although I am not sure who to? I am sure it has been discussed on here before, I am not sure how the decision was reached to restore 5080 in the mid 80's then 5043 into the 90's?

I think the only chance of a 'Star' being available for hire waas an abortive scheme to use 7027 frames and a no.1 boiler (from 2873 IIRC hence her now being boilerless) but again I recall little about that.

 

Sorry to disagree but as I remember it the chassis of 5043 was to be combined 2873's No1 boiler to recreate a Star. 7027 was to provide a spare boiler for 7029.
Ray.

 

Crying shame it won't go mainline, what's the point of restoring a hugely expensive 6ft8ins express loco to potter about at 25mph on a flat and mostly featureless line in the East Midlands? It belongs on the main line so it can actually work and eventually return to its old haunts in the south-west...

 

And how many locos is there in the overhaul queue at loughborough besides 70013 34039 63601 and 48624 getting a inspection and strip down to see what work needs doing at a guess like, and thorbury castle 7027 is probably going to be a long term project anyhow just lke when j pratt bought her and couldent afford it cos of probs on the W.S.R. good luck to the G.C.R. lads with her.

 

Well I'm sure the new owner values your opinion and you monetary contribution towards the cost of mainline operation...

 

For a locomotive to "go mainline" Network Rail require it to be fitted with OTMT/OTDR, AWS/TPWS & GSM-R equipment, which is not only expensive but difficult to install on a steam loco that is 50+ years old. And that's before you get into the matter of gauging, GWR locos were generally built to a more generous loading gauge partly as a result of the company's broad gauge heritage.
Restoring a steam loco to operational condition is a hugely expensive exercise and the new owner has obviously decided that they can't afford the cost of the extra equipment NR require on top of the restoration costs.

Yes, it's a shame we'll never see 7027 storming along the main line at 60mph, but we will see it in action at some point in the future which is surely better than it being left as the rusty shell it is today.

 

Not so. Nothing to do with the broad gauge. Myth falls apart on examination.

 

What have the problems with the WSR got to do with the funding of 7027, I wasn't aware that JJP was funding the WSR personally?

 

When did 2873 leave Barry, IIRC her boiler etc was supposed to go to 3803? not sure when the boiler ended up at Tyseley and is it actually 2873's or 3803's?

 

Cough up the cash then...

 

The same point as restoring most of the steam fleet at any Heritage Line, most of which will never venture near a main line again.

 

DragonHandler said ...
"...Yes, it's a shame we'll never see 7027 storming along the main line at 60mph, but we will see it in action at some point in the future which is surely better than it being left as the rusty shell it is today."
In fact, 7027 will be able to do Exactly that......as it races through Quorn with the TPO set!

 

From memory, the boiler on 3803 is the one from 2873. The boiler which came with 3803 from Barry is somewhere at Tyseley, and 2873's chassis is at Buckfastleigh.

 

That was the impression I got, I also recall that there are perhaps motion parts on 2807?

 

It's not so much the money, I think, more the time and commitment required to run the WSR. Besides, JJP has 2(?) other locos to keep running. The impression from SR news items etc is that 7027 is one worry too many and won't get any serious attention for years...

 

Several of the motion parts on 2807 are from its current shedmate under restoration, 2874, but don't tell anyone!

 

Very sorry for that slight mistake its the members and people who travel on the WSR that keep the line funded to keep running and the dedicated volunteers who keep the rolling stock and permanent way maintained, is it the new owner and G.C.R. shareholders who would be funding the restoration of 7027 then and possibly at loughborough?

 

7027 is being restored at Loughborough and the overhauled paid for by the new owner!