Prices for second-hand NG steam locos

I suspect that anyone interested in this thread needs to look at the NG enthusiasts FB group to understand what the question is about.....

 

One idea for a new railway that would be looking for narrow gauge would be the railway to Princetown as the best way to reopen this would be 2 feet not full size as it used to be

 

Does Devon need another heritage railway?

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I can’t see the page talked about above to see what the idea is but this is the most obvious option

 

Had a quick look- nothing jumped out, do you have a link to the post?

Regards

Chris

 

They might have changed it or removed if the project is not officially been told to anyone yet

 

There are, I understand, specific locos in mind that are not GB based. The people concerned want an idea of current GB prices for second hand NG locos in order to have an idea what to expect and how to negotiate. No more details at the moment.

 

My colleagues would rather keep this quiet, so perhaps as well that folk haven't found the particular FB page!

 

Personally I would rather they both (or at least one of them) stayed somewhere close to where they currently reside. The greater area could do with a steam narrow gauge railway!

I suspect you may come up against a brick wall though - the current owner is known to be a hard nosed and dogged businessman!

Keith

 

I think I have made the connection but as said above, speculation would not help the cause!

 

In that case the answer is simple - the locos are worth what he thinks they are unless he's desperate to sell.

 

How was a new railway at Princetown the most obvious option?

 

As it will be like the welsh highland and is a popular choice

 

Is this choice just popular with you, or do you have some verified marketing research available?

Cheerz,

Alan

 

I am not sure "obvious" is quite the word I'd use, but have you ever been there?
Princetown is not what one would call a tourist town. It has a prison, with a museum, a few shops, and thats it. It isn't a destination for the bucket-and-spade brigade, and the often unpredicatable weather of Dartmoor can detract from the "rugged beauty of the moors". The area tends to attract the hardy souls who seem rather more inclined to hike or cycle the former railway route, which is now a part of a national trail. I am sure a proportion of these would be interested in steam railways, but...
The former station site has been redeveloped, though it is possible to access the old trackbed. It would be prohibitively expensive for a putative narrow gauge steam railway to return to the old station site, meaning that such a line would struggle to get closer than 1/4 mile from the road. However, once that problem is overcome, the splendour of Walkhampton Common meets the eye.
The trackbed remains in very good condition and I think all the bridges and culverts are intact on this section. The big horseshoe around Kings Tor is very picturesque, then snaking on to Ingra Tor . By that point, the route has literally pointed west, north, south, east, south and then west again. It is quite unique in England. The line continues to descend in a south westerly direction, until after 6 or so miles it meets the B3212. When I last walked to route you had to scramble down from the embankment to cross the road, but last spring there was a new footbridge. A 100 foot long single span to carry rail traffic would likely be far too expensive, but not crossing the road leaves the line in the middle of nowhere.
Once south of the B3212, the route passes through Peekhill plantation, a large woodland area, before emerging above the dam of Burrator reservoir. This, the former "Burrator & Sheepstor Halt", at 6 1/2 miles would be the limit of ambition for most, and would at least be a recognisable place to finish.The view of the lake is quite something, there are pleasant walks about the area, and it is simply a lovely place to be.
The journey back to Princetown would be amazing though. As well as the scenery, the line climbs about 650 feet in 6 1/2 miles, so averaging 1in50 all the way, on a twisting, turning route- you'd need some serious horsepower on the front, and you'd hear all of the horses. My taste would be for something like the BMR's Balwins on the point, but feel free to substitute your own steam fetish- SAR garrett, K28, whatever you fancy, even a 44xx.
To follow the original route any further would not be possible. Dousland has grown quite a bit since 1956, and many new houses have been built on the formation. Dousland station is now a residence, and the route west to Yelverton runs through productive farmland with a few factories and units on the trackbed. At Yelverton itself, the trackbed is lost under the Binkham Hill and Southella Road developments.
So, there you have it. A steep, expensive to operate railway, going from hardly anywhere to no-where on a route that is already a cycle path, serving a community that doesn't need it in a place that doesn't get tourists. Apart from that, it is obvious. WIBN, but wouldn't it be amazing

 

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If you could miss the yelverton bit and go straight to the main part you could go all the way down to Plymouth which is a place of interest

 

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If you could miss the yelverton bit and go straight to the main part you could go all the way down to Plymouth which is a place of interest

 

To bring this back on topic, a message appeared on Facebook this morning:

"Pete's Hobby Railway in Junee, NSW, Australia has invited Expressions of Interest for the purchase of a 2-ft gauge 0-6-2T steam locomotive, NOT in working order. Further information is the be found on the relevant web page, <www.peteshobbyrailway.club>"

I have no further information and am not connected in any way

Keith

 

She's a biggun! Australian (Perry Engineering) built 0-6-2T, details here: https://www.peteshobbyrailway.club/miscellaneous/phr-proposes-sale-of-perry-locomotive/

Side tanks are missing, but a tender could be included in sale to turn it into a tender loco. Her sister loco is Tully 6, currently running at the Illawarra Light Railway Museum: https://ilrms.com.au/rail/tully-6/

 

I very much doubt if permission would be granted for its export. An interesting loco, though. I'm not sure if it is that one or the Fowler they are restoring at the same place that was built with provision to be either 2ft or 3ft 6" gauge.