Brighton Atlantic: 32424 Beachy Head

Nope. I'd just like you to explain why you think a single would be a good idea when they already exist and what purpose you think they can fulfill on heritage railways. It costs a lot of money to build a new loco so your case needs to stack up.

Keith

 

They are important in history and none are allowed to run any more. They would attract lots of people and even people that don’t like railways. It’s good to take people to see to stand next to and show them how big it is. In the railways it is like having the X factor. When you think about a lot of new builders they are quite boring as similar ones exist and run.

 

Yes they are important in history but there are quite a number in museums to attract "lots of people" and "show them how big they are".

Theres also no reason why lord of the isles or firefly can't run again, they "just" need overhauls.

Lastly, I think calling "a lot of new builds" boring is quite demeaning to those putting time, money and hard physical work into building those locos.

Keith

 

Won't it fall over?

 

The thing I find saddening is the loss of the other G.N.R. Large Atlantic boiler. This Sail and Steam outfit at Brightlingsea acquired it. But things went wrong with them, when they went bankrupt/into liquidation/folded and it was scrapped. There is though at least one part that survives. The superheater header was rescued by the Thompson B1 Society owners of 1264.

 

No. it's a monorail!

Richard.

 

The project I am really looking forward to (in addition to the ones listed) is 35011. Just because an unrebuilt MN really will be unique.

Now, all we need is the K, 333 and we should be set.

 

Its not Southern but they prevailed and succeeded on the proper region. 82045 can be included.

 

Not very likely that though is it? Since they several flaws that have been
identified...

You on about Remembrance?

 

Did anyone try and save it? Surely the scrap vale wasn't large, so it wouldn't have needed much money to outbid them.

Noel

 

A long time ago, but I think I'm right in saying that it was in very poor condition. The scrap value I suspect was considerable given it had a copper firebox.

Tom

 

Interesting, I didn't know there was another Atlantic boiler, though I do wonder what purpose it could have served for if saved.

Besides acting as a spare of Beachy Head, only thing I could think of is building another GNR Atlantic with it, but I just don't think anyone really would have that much interest in building an engine when one example still exists. Admittedly I could see some exemptions to that assumption but I don't think this is one of them.

I mean does anyone know if there were any other GNR locomotive types that used this same boiler design or was it purely just for the Atlantics?

 

Don't honestly know jnc. From memory things were rather difficult with Sail & Steam' demise. As to who had what claim on the assets. I also seem to recall that suggestions had been made that the NRM acquire it for use on 251. With the late John Bellwood suggesting it wouldn't/shouldn't be to difficult for a group similar to the A1SLT to manufacture a new lower mechanical half, if they acquired the Boiler as the Brighton Atlantic Group have proven with their locomotive....................

 

At risk of going a tad off topic here, I'm curious can anyone here think of locomotive classes/designs that should have another example built new to supplement the existing one(s)?

I know there's talk before for example of building a replica Stepney, GWR Star or Dean Goods even.

Another popular one seems to be on the Gresley A3s, as the ongoing issue with Flying Scotsman is all the mishmash condition it over all is, making very difficult at times to present it authentically. No. 27450 Papyrus is often another A3 class member remembered fondly.

Though I'll admit of the A3s names, Gay Crusader is my personal favorite~.

 

In Swindon-speak I think that one translates to 6027 sir.

 

Definitely a V2 as it seems unlikely that Green Arrow will run again.

 

I think your question will result in all manner of people coming up with their pet WIBN projects. A second A3, V2, Star or Dean Goods would all have their fans, but I wonder if the existence of another example, even one which is extremely highly unlikely to steam, does lessen the appeal. To reinforce my point, the Beachy Head Group is planning to build a replica SE&CR E Class next - No. 516. While I think this is a very worthwhile project, I would personally consider the Ds to be slightly better proportioned and probably more popular with enthusiasts, but the survival of No. 737, in all its polished glory in York, must, I suspect, have been a factor in choosing the E Class instead. I understand that one of the key men behind the 82045 project would like to see a replica of 46256 Sir William A Stanier FRS. No doubt the original was most unfortunate to be scrapped, but with three surviving Duchesses including one in working order, will this project get off the ground? Time alone will tell.

Anyway, I suppose I must come clean with my pet WIBN of a second engine of a given class - LB&SCR Gladstone No. 172 Littlehampton - the only Stroudley express loco which lasted to see the electrification of the entire Brighton main line. In one of my (many) railway books there is a picture of it posed alongside a brand new 6PUL or 6PAN in Brighton station and I always think how sad it was that it didn't survive. I don't see Gladstone itself ever steaming and the only other surviving 0-4-2 tender engine, Lion, probably won't steam again either. Indeed, the only other LB&SCR-designed tender loco in existence is/will be the replica Beachy Head. Still, given (i) I have no fundraising skills myself, (ii) a K Class would be higher up most people's list for the next new-build LB&SCR loco (including mine, to be honest) and (iii) the experience with building Beachy Head has shown that LB&SCR locos are rather complex beasts compared with those of other companies, then my dreams of seeing No. 172 resurrected are likely to remain firmly in WIBN territory - but as you asked.....

 

71001

 

Green Arrow is currently part of NRM's future overhaul plans.

 

I wonder, had the plan to rebuild the merchant navy class not happened, might we have seen them withdrawn , and instead 30 duke of Gloucester class loco's built instead, but using the main parts of the Bulleids instead , so a 71000 with bulleid boiler, boxpox wheels, thermic syphons etc?