7027 Thornbury Castle

I disagree that there was a clamour (edit: at the time of my original reply) - there was and is a range of opinions yes, but isn't there always? I'm not re-reading the thread because I didn't see what you were claiming first time round. Otherwise I wouldn't have made the observation ...

 

Did you read what I said? I have now highlighted the last part. I was responding to the suggestion that "The 4709 folk should be encouraged to sell the loco on to those who are prepared to pay for it and its restoration of 7027", which seems an unlikely prospect.

 

It was actively being worked on until the person who owned it decided to sell. That may seem tough on the people who were doing the work but "**** happens" as they say. The new owners have indicated that no parts that are fit for re-use will be wasted.

 

Umm...how exactly would you fit this new wider barrel to the firebox throatplate, bearing in mind the throatplate will be flanged to suit the castle barrel?

 

There were only 10 Clans but the construction of Clan Hengist is well advanced so is that also a white elephant in your opinion?

 

A little unfair on the current Clan group, who, with CTL, seem to be running a model new build prgramme.

 

Call the grammar police again Tom - any moron knows that the correct word is “bigly”

If that’s the case then they had better re-name Thornbury to “Alderaan Castle”….

 

Its a sad situation where a loco that *finally* seemed to have some good prospects is potentially going to be broken up.

I'm unconvinced that 7027s boiler is the right answer for the night owl, and I do worry that it just means that 7027s chassis ends up in limbo.

My suspicion is that were a Star proposed, that by the time the night owl is done, those involved will be of the age that embarking on another project of similar enormity will be beyond the realms of possibility.

7027 in my eyes will likely end up similar to (30)841 on the NYMR, as a source of spares for 4079 and potentially 5051.

I share some of the concerns raised regarding the function of the GWS- they do already own an incredible fleet of largely non-functional locomotives and I'd be likely keener to donate we're the focus to return to operating/restoring and telling the story with their existing fleet.

Didcot appears to be shadow of its former self, I have seen videos and pictures from the 80s and 90s showing a vibrant, active site with various members of the fleet in steam- my visit in 2018 the place seemed rather stagnant.

Thats not to say I wouldn't like to see the night owl run, but breaking up a loco which has had significant work done, to use a boiler which isn't really correct seems a big leap, and one that I'm not very keen on.

Chris

 

Preservation is for the enthusiasts, fantasy is for the punter. The potential full stop to the story of a surviving loco doesn’t sit well with me, but it’s not my money, not my loco, not my time and energy so I’m loathe to be too critical. Personally I’d like to see a good representation of a 47xx - rivet counters can bury their own dead. How it gets recreated and the long term ramifications (good or bad) are something hard to value before the fact.

Changes to “authenticity” have always been the sole property of the owner. It has always been thus from the foundry to the scrapyard.

 

I have been motivated by this situation to end the argument and put my money where my mouth is.

I will build a new boiler! Authentic in every detail. It shouldn't be that hard. If anyone wants to help me feel free. Together we can achieve the impossible!

Together we can rebuild 44901!!!!!

Sorry wrong thread.....

 

Are you by any chance in Canada?

 

Whilst having seen this loco in Weston it's a bit sad it's not now going to run again, i am perhaps in favour of it's new path, especially if it speeds up the 4700 and possibly allows a "new" Star class.

If a castle is to run mainline, it is presumably best to run at the ultimate development of the class, especially so being a 7P. Wheres even in original 1920s single chimney form it is perhaps too large for effective use on most preserved lines.

Without knowing the stages of restoration on the locomotive it's hard to say whether this is a loco that was on the cusp of return or whether it still had a long way to go, but that work can be used for new projects.

 

I note your wording but I seriously doubt that any of those would have been “no hopers” in different ownership. The only one I’ve seen (other than as parts in or adjacent to a skip) is 5227 and it looks far better to me than some of the other hulks which have been returned to steam already elsewhere. (Quite apart from which, Didcot don’t even have another 5205 class.)


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