If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

4953 Pitchford Hall

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Paul.Uni, Oct 2, 2019.

  1. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2017
    Messages:
    583
    Likes Received:
    939
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Essex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I'd imagine that the owner will be keen to sell it for operational use (given it still has seven and a half years on the 'ticket'.) However, what a buyer says they will do, and what they actually do, can be two different things, so in theory anything could happen. I too hope it goes somewhere that can make full use of it.
     
  2. DismalChips

    DismalChips Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2016
    Messages:
    636
    Likes Received:
    657
    Location:
    9A
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Usually these sort of discussions throw up speculation about Jeremy Hosking or Ian Riley, so I'll just chuck those two names in for good measure. No idea if either would be interested, but it's surprising we've got this far without them being mentioned.
     
    Hampshire Unit likes this.
  3. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    7,498
    Likes Received:
    5,455
    I think we can discount Ian on the basis it’s not a Black 5 ;):D
     
    Sheff, John Petley and green five like this.
  4. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2017
    Messages:
    583
    Likes Received:
    939
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Essex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    4953 was previously mainline; although the recent overhaul I don't think has been done to mainline standards, it was still a thoroughly extensive job. I don't know what would need to be done to take up to NR requirements.
     
  5. DismalChips

    DismalChips Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2016
    Messages:
    636
    Likes Received:
    657
    Location:
    9A
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I did think something similar - mainly that (vers a discussion on another thread) a Hall wouldn't be overly useful on the Jacobite, but it may open up other work further south.
     
    Pete Thornhill likes this.
  6. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,330
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    But it looks like a Black 5 in its (and Mr Riley’s supposedly favourite) current livery ;)
     
    green five and Pete Thornhill like this.
  7. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,330
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Isn’t there a problem with gauging though? 4965 hasn’t been out for a while has it?
     
    green five and Pete Thornhill like this.
  8. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    7,498
    Likes Received:
    5,455
    Maybe if you squint your eyes a bit :D


    I was just about to say the same - it seems you have to be brave, have deep pockets and accept limited running opportunities to run a Hall on the mainline these days.
     
    mike1522, Matt37401 and green five like this.
  9. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    2,505
    Likes Received:
    3,248
    Location:
    Powys
    4965 is out of ticket and whilst yes, gauging is an issue, it did manage to stretch its wings quite widely during its last spell and found gainful employment to Stratford for a number of seasons.
     
  10. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    7,498
    Likes Received:
    5,455
    Towards the end though, wasn’t it increasingly limited to the Shakespeare runs? For example, I seem to remember that 5043 had to substitute on a tour because it would no longer fit through Ashchurch. I also thought it had fell down the overhaul queue as a result of the gauging issues and subsequent limited running opportunities.
     
  11. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2010
    Messages:
    1,194
    Likes Received:
    989
    Location:
    Fife
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    This lines up with other writing I've seen on the matter.
     
  12. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,330
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Anyhow, back to 4953… just to throw another loco owner’s hat in the ring, Pete Best maybe?
     
  13. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2010
    Messages:
    1,194
    Likes Received:
    989
    Location:
    Fife
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I dont think Hosking isn't a totally out there bet. He owns locomotives that'll never go mainline so this is just another. If Bunch hadn't bought the Austerity a few years ago I might have bet him. Would GWSR look at it seriously? Llangollen got banded about and isn't totally out of leftfield.
     
  14. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,330
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Tbf Paul we’re all just playing fantasy loco’s at the moment :) As you say we know Jeremy has a few quid, but would the SVR be willing to look after another Hall for him? ;)
    It’s genuinely interesting as to where 4953 will go as we all know another Hall owner can’t run it on ‘their’ railway until there’s a route upgrade, and then there’s the gauging issues on the mainline.
    Just out of interest would a 49xx be cleared out of Avimore to Granton? ;)
     
  15. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2006
    Messages:
    5,294
    Likes Received:
    3,596
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Not Peter Best's thing. He likes organising overhauls of engines and he's said 44806 will be his last.
     
  16. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2006
    Messages:
    8,239
    Likes Received:
    5,250
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Freelance photo - journalist
    Location:
    Southport
    On the basis that most locomotive owners are now nearing the top of the ladder and are seeking a permanent and secure ownership for their steeds it is surely a case of which heritage line has both the funds and the gauged line length to operate it. That would suggest a line such as the Paignton, the Great Central, The GWSR or an operating centre such as Didcot or Tyseley. Given the current steam pool already available is there any need for another 'Hall' to go mainline - or anyone willing to pay the sums required to achieve it ?
     
  17. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2017
    Messages:
    583
    Likes Received:
    939
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Essex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I imagine it would have been an ideal engine for Paignton, but given they have just bought two locos from SDR, I suspect they're probably not looking for another.
     
  18. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,330
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    There we go then, that puts that one to bed.
     
  19. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    May 12, 2006
    Messages:
    18,046
    Likes Received:
    15,736
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cumbria
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    One would imagine the market for an operational Hall will be pretty limited at the moment, setting aside the issues of mainline which for Halls is pretty much anon starter these days what railways would have that amount of cash knocking about after the last couple of years.

    I cannot see there being a queue forming for her, definitely a buyers market.
     
    Matt37401 likes this.
  20. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,330
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    The thing is Fred how many of those you mention have the spare cash at the moment to make a purchase like 4953 post Covid?
    Whilst I’d have said the DSR a week or so ago as being a possibility they’ve just been and bought a 28xx and 38xx albeit both out of ticket, would they have the cash?
    As ever this wouldn’t be Nat Pres without a fair old bit of speculation! :)
     

Share This Page