Steam Locomotive Restoration of the Decade 2010-2019

Then how can it be “restoration” of the decade?

There’s a clue in the title.

This thread feels to me like a classic example of moving the goalposts, if not a bait and switch.

Why ask for opinions if some are not welcome?

To me, THE complete restoration is the Y14 at the NNR. Physically restored to working order, detailed research allowed it to be painted in an authentic livery to match.

If this thread had started with a title of “best return to working order” I’d be clamouring for Galatea with the rest. She was a project impossible and then some and the result is fantastic at an operational level.

Claiming it is now “making history” with its livery is at odds with the term “restoration” which by definition is about putting something back to the form it was previously in.

I find it bizarre that we can all sit together on a forum called “National Preservation” which ultimately is about the preservation and restoration of railways generally and yet generate more heat than light over a thread which asks “what is the best restoration of the last decade?”

If the basic level is that restoration is just the mechanical side of things, then we’re missing out on some incredible work where intricate research and painting is concerned.

Still finding it quite hard to believe I need to defend my right to ask the question if a restoration should include an authentic paint job, but hey ho...

 

I have to say that I'm not feeling any heat at all, just inevitable differences of opinion given subjective

English Definition of Restore :

• to give back (someone or something that was taken)
• to return (someone or something)
• to put or bring (something) back into existence or use
• to return (something) to en earlier or original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc

There is lots of scope there to choose any number of locos brought back to any sort of working order, original or otherwise.

 

For those who like his style, a Chris Eden-Green round up of the decade (not just locomotives, but hey...)

Three things stood out for me: (1) I’d forgotten about that (2) Crikey, was that really ten years ago (I must be getting old) and (3) Oi! What about X - surely that’s significant? Which I guess just shows we all have our own bubble we inhabit.



Tom

 

I prefer the word 'renovation' rather than 'restoration' for my projects.

 

As shown elsewhere to restore is to also make it operational. As in to restore it to traffic. That has been completed. The reason why you post was quoted and is yet again is that your still linking restoration to a historical view, when it doesn't have to be. You added that extra criteria, others like me did not.

 

When I started in railway preservation in 1968, the emphasis was on the word 'preservation', i.e. to maintain something in a particular condition. We all knew what it and what we meant. You can go through the dictionary all you like to find alternative meanings for individual words, but it was intended all along to restore 8F 48773 to LMS conditions as 8233, which we did. So too did many other societies of one form or another.

It was the history we were preserving, not just the ability for the engine to run.

 

I have nothing but admiration for those in the 'restoration' of steam (or diesel/electric) locomotives and rolling stock and always have. The message though is that we don't have to be blinkered to one view of what floats someone's boat. Historical representation is very important (obviously) but the range of locomotives that Heritage organisations and individuals look after for future generations, does not survive on historical exact-ness alone and some businesses are there to make money as commercial concerns. Would we honestly not want to see WC Railways existing in 2020 just because some of their paint may offend the Historians?
I take my hat off to you LMS2968 and am glad that in 1968 people like you shared a vision. I also take my hat off to those building a Brighton Atlantic at Sheffield Park and personally I will be very excitable when I see that original regulator handle restored to do what it was made for!

vive la différence as they say in parts of the EU in case we forget

 

It is history your preserving. You're just preserving 2010's....