4953 Pitchford Hall

I really hope not bearing in mind 4953 is about 2 and a half years in its ticket

 

On that basis, any indication as to why its up for sale, its owned by the railway themselves is it not?

Money issues or just too big for their needs?

 

S'pose a purist might argue an original understanding based on a simple typo. With some way to go before the Holden M15/F5 is complete, unless the NRM decide to deaccession a certain J69/1, the number of 'geographically relevant' pre-nationalisation options is distinctly limited.

 

How much are they looking for for it?

 

Isn't the EOR rather comparable in length to say the DSR and longer than the KWVR, albeit I imagine their is much more to suitability than length (ooeer).

I imagine it will be POA or offers, not sure I have ever seen a mainline locomotive in ticket offered at a set price (no doubt they have been though). I imagine those who may have the means to purchase will either know through the grapevine or have a pretty good idea what she is worth.

 

Perhaps the SDR could buy it and leave it outside for twenty years to get it to Buckfastleigh condition, then sell it for export.

 

So where is it going to be sent to then?

 

Well the line was lightly built and originally never ran anything larger than smallish tank locos. Much as I am pleased to see what they have achieved over the last few years, I have always thought 4-6-0 steam locos and class 37 diesels etc very out of keeping for the line.

I note also they are planning "We celebrate the 10th anniversary of the re-opening of our former London Underground line." in May. Which may be the latest reopening but totally overlooks the previous reopening from Oct 2004 to Dec 2008.

 

Fingers crossed that it goes somewhere that can make good use of it. If there's a wealthy supporter or group of supporters at Llangollen
it would be good to see it go there.

 

So are you saying they shouldn't celebrate the 10th anniversary of their reopening?

 

Just to prove there's nothing much new under the sun, Emperor Claudius faced similar criticism when he celebrated the Sæcular Games, way less than the traditional century after Augustus had done so.

In my books, one decent reason to stage an event is as good as the next ..... as long as it (a) covers it's costs (b) generates some good publicity and (c) puts more bums on seats.

 

Im could swear I read that was what it was written as but its not that on the website.

 

Where did I say, or even imply that they shouldn't?
I simply pointed out that the anniversary mentioned is celebrating the second reopening.

 

I might not put it on the marquee but I'd mention it in the blurb at least.

 

I think that dates from when the line was first sold off by LT. They were only allowed to sell it to someone willing to run some sort of community service, which EOR Ltd said they were willing to do. Subsequent talks with LT to gain access to Epping Station were reportedly amicable until a change of managers at LT resulted in a change of attitude by LT and talks ceased.
One of the things that the more vocal critics of the early EOR used to go on about is that the community service never happened. Quite how those critics expected anything to happen when LT were not willing to talk about access to Epping is beyond me.
Probably never going to be shared access to Epping LT station now, but there is still the (very) remote possibility of a new station nearer Epping. WIBN.