V2 4771 green arrow to return?

For thems wot Iast checked in 1922, let's not forget the M&SWJ

 

I will too and sample a pint or two of Stocks Old Horizontal in the Hallcross, although it's no longer brewed in Doncaster these days.

 

I can't see Green Arrow ever running again. Remember it was only restored last time because a sponsor came forward to fund returning it back to steam. When they say "we still see an operational future for ", they mean they would 'consider' it running again, but doesn't mean it will happen, unless there was some external funder who came forward wanting to do so. Some of their collection they have effectively said will never run again and other 'could' do so but again unlikely.
So many of their locos, like Duchess of Hamilton, King George V, Mallard etc which were once runners are effectively now static exhibits for ever more.

 

OTOH, there are other Duchesses, Kings and A4s on the mainline, so no great loss. If I had my way, it is previously operational locos like Hardwicke, the Midland Compound and Stirling Single that would really give a wow factor if they were able to run again.

Tom

 

But ... a streamlined Duchess running, now that WOULD be something.

 

Not so sure about Mallard. 3 July 1938, 100th anniversary. OK, 17 years away, and I doubt I’ll be around to celebrate it, but if there’s still an interest in steam traction in 2038 I wouldn’t be surprised to see the duck overhauled and back out on the main line to celebrate the occasion.

 

Need to find it but the NRM did publish a document a some time ago with various loco’s they saw as having a potential operational future, what surprised a few people was that 4771/60800 was one of them. It might not be for a while yet but to borrow a well known quote ‘perchance it not dead but sleepeth’

 

As we are unlikely to ever get a new build Dean Single Wheeler I would like to get my single wheel fix by seeing the Midland Spinner running again!

Oh and Green Arrow as well, fastest I have ever been behind steam was behind her through Bicester....

 

If ever there was a candidate for "most beautiful locomotive of all time" - that simply HAS to steam again - then the Stirling Single is surely it...

 

Oh ye of little faith.

 

I had the inestimable pleasure of riding behind her at the GCR.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! No. 1 is a lovely engine no doubt but I think the Midland Spinner, SE&CR D class 737 and L&SWR T3 563 have the edge when it comes to looks. There is something amazing, however, about watching those huge 8ft driving wheels turning.

PS: Green Arrow, which after all is the subject of this thread, is also a very fine looking loco!

 

I think you are probably right. ISTR that, when withdrawn last time, NRM stated that the monobloc cylinder casting was life expired and would need to be replaced if/when 4771 was ever restored to service. While some have suggested that it could, more economically, be replaced by 3 separate castings as had been fitted to many other V2's later in their lives my recollection was that 60800 was selected for the National Collection because it had the original monobloc. Whilst I am sure that a restored 4771 would be a popular railtour loco in the current financial climate would it be the best use of NRM's limited resources even if any foundry willing or able to cast a new monobloc could be found.
Just my 2p worth.
Ray.

 

Quite different in scale, of course, but the latest iteration of the FfR Fairlie bogies now employ monoblocs, so there's at least some relevant and current knowledge of the finer points of producing this technology.

 

That's not quite what they said. On this forum, in 2014, Anthony Coulls (NRM) said (about the cylinders): "We don't know that they aren't repairable - there would need to be a survey with the loco dismantled, but it's not the Arrow's time at present." But I agree the loco is very unlikely to be dismantled even for survey unless sponsorship in place and a very good chance of the overhaul being fully funded.
https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/green-arrow.332507/page-2#post-934865

 

Featuring the late John Bellwood. Will we ever see a return to an NRM with the likes of John Coiley an John Bellwood in charge when every loco in the collection (with the possible exception of Coppernob) was a candidate for steamng.

 

Did that include "Ellerman Lines"?

 

I’ve often wondered whether Ellerman Lines would actually be an easier overhaul than some other Merchant Navies!

Tom

 

We'll never know, now.