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.

7027 Thornbury Castle

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by svrhunt, Jan 18, 2015.

  1. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    Messages:
    1,653
    Likes Received:
    2,564
    Occupation:
    UK & Ireland Heritage Railways Webmaster
    Location:
    Ruabon, Wrexham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I vaguely recall some comment from GWS management a few years ago that the ideal would be to always have 2 small locos and one larger one operational. Seem sensible to me (especially when you have 2 demo lines, but one has tight curves that limit what can run on it).
     
    Chris86 and 26D_M like this.
  2. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    Messages:
    1,653
    Likes Received:
    2,564
    Occupation:
    UK & Ireland Heritage Railways Webmaster
    Location:
    Ruabon, Wrexham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    It's called keeping your options open.
     
  3. RAB3L

    RAB3L Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2013
    Messages:
    362
    Likes Received:
    190
    Yes, but 6024 has new cylinders for additional clearance, 6023 does not. All locos that run on the main line have to meet the height restrictions.
     
  4. 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
    My understanding is that the GWS has no interest in running main line ops in its own right, but has no objection to other organisations (such as VT, for example) operating them on its behalf.
     
  5. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    4,440
    Likes Received:
    6,546
    Since reversed, I believe, as it is now no longer intended to run it on Network Rail.

    Peter
     
  6. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2014
    Messages:
    17,609
    Likes Received:
    11,222
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    St Leonards
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Doesn't any loco being transferred to Didcot, have too be with in the NR clearances any way, as there is no other way, but to be towed over NR metals, into the depot, might this mean, removing safety valves chimneys, etc to not foul the height restrictions?
     
  7. Maunsell907

    Maunsell907 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2013
    Messages:
    881
    Likes Received:
    1,965
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Not really wishing to re-enter the fray but :)

    I think the 47xx, after an appropriate boiler was designed, was the apotheosis of Mr. Churchward’s
    ( and his team’s ) achievement. Repeating my previous “ arguably more so than the 29xx or 40xx “
    ( although the addition of a 40xx Star to the Didcot collection would add to the historical sequence,
    29xx, 40xx, 47xx ) )

    Regarding Mr Collett: as an ignorant ( non GWR luvvie ) outsider, it has also always seemed that
    Collett never felt able to move away from the Churchward heritage: it was left to Mr Hawksworth
    and later Messrs Cook and Ell to restore Swindon’s position.

    Mr Martin, has written concerning restoration, in almost sacred terms. However I think GWS
    Didcot is a ‘working museum’. My understanding of such: a collection of static exhibits, some
    of which, at any particular time, are operable. A museum should tell as complete a story as
    possible ( Tom is correct that Collett dominates : hardly surprising bearing in mind operable
    steam during the last decade (1958-68 ). New exhibits will inevitably be new builds, which
    may or may not include existing parts ( eg austerity boilers on early recreations )

    My original thoughts wrt 7027 vs 4709 were which one could actually come to fruition first ?
    After reading many thoughtful postings ( and some not so ) I am none the wiser.

    If all things were equal I would support a 47xx over another 5089: things appear not to be
    equal, but where the balance lies still escapes me.

    Perhaps if possession represents 90% of the law then whoever ( ? ) owns 7027 has the
    right to call the shots !

    I suspect, in the real world, my mumblings have no more relevance than all the other posts
    on this forum but……

    Michael Rowe

    p.s. Should the non workable Dean Single complete with sound and smoke effects
    featured in the Windsor Royal Experience happening have been donated to Didcot,
    a non working replica; valid or not ?
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2022
    47472 and MellishR like this.
  8. Jimc

    Jimc Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2005
    Messages:
    4,052
    Likes Received:
    4,665
    Occupation:
    Once computers, now part time writer I suppose.
    Location:
    SE England
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Well, to be fair, although the GWS collection is rather Collett biased, at least partly because a significant part came directly from BR, the GWS and related rebuilds/recreations consist of three Churchward and one Hawksworth.

    There is, I suppose, an argument that if you are going to do recreations of lost types it makes sense to start with the kit of parts types before the parts rot away in headshunts, whereas anything 19thC would have to be basically all new.

    Maybe I should be mischievous and suggest that when it's 3738s turn for the shops she should be rebuilt in 97xx (condensing pannier) form, which would be very much reversible.
     
    5944 and MellishR like this.
  9. RAB3L

    RAB3L Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2013
    Messages:
    362
    Likes Received:
    190
    Unlikely, since 3738 is privately owned (or was). Ditto for 3650. There might also be a problem finding a suitable Weir pump.
     
  10. Mr Valentine

    Mr Valentine Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2018
    Messages:
    235
    Likes Received:
    815
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Titfield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Just to clear up a few things. The decision to withdraw from mainline running was made at the end of 2019; the gauging modifications made to 6023 predate this by several years, and the engine's full height has since been restored. The support coach and various bits have been sold, however the last I heard was that the portable GSMR had been retained, in case the opportunity ever arose to run 'locked in' on a branch again, such as with the railmotor a few years ago. This of course is a very different scenario from absolutely laying one down on Dainton, which is what people really mean by 'main line'. The current GWS Chairman stated at a recent AGM that it was extremely unlikely that this decision would ever be revisited. The focus instead is on using the engines at DRC or hiring to preserved lines, with an emphasis on making sure DRC benefits from any arrangement. There has been no talk, to my knowledge, of loaning engines to other bodies so that someone else can play with them on the mainline.

    I'm afraid there is 'keeping your options open', and then there is wishful thinking. I don't think the GWS has any plans to do either.

    Needless to say, none of the above appears to apply to the 4709 group! :rolleyes:

    P.S. In the last month or so there's been an article on the Grange in either Heritage Railway or Trackside. The vibe I got was that a mainline 6880 was more a case of 'if', and not 'when'.
     
    Hirn, GWR4707, S.A.C. Martin and 3 others like this.
  11. RAB3L

    RAB3L Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2013
    Messages:
    362
    Likes Received:
    190
    I was only commenting on the practicality of running 4709 on the main line; whether it will or not is another matter. But talk of main line running no doubt assists appeal income!

    As for hiring out stock to run on other railways, it reminds me of a hiring 5572 to the WSR. Somehow they managed to run it through some catch points and bent all the brake rigging. They returned 5572 as was and no doubt recompensed the GWS. The fitters at Didcot had to make the repair; I felt that I was giving my free time (and money) to pay the salaries of the permanent staff!

    This statement sums up the GWS in a nutshell: "The current GWS Chairman stated at a recent AGM that it was extremely unlikely that this decision would ever be revisited."

     
  12. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    Messages:
    1,653
    Likes Received:
    2,564
    Occupation:
    UK & Ireland Heritage Railways Webmaster
    Location:
    Ruabon, Wrexham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Plus one Gooch (Firefly) :)
     
    Jimc likes this.
  13. Lord Belborough

    Lord Belborough New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2022
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    138
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Berkshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Volunteering today at Didcot. 1,100 people through the gates. Around 50 asked me where the toilets were, 2o children asked me where Thomas was. No-one asked about Thornbury Castle. Plenty of compliments about the standard of our carriages.
     
  14. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    May 29, 2006
    Messages:
    3,967
    Likes Received:
    5,064
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    N.Ireland
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Why would the public ask about 7027?

    Did they ask about 5051? 7808? 5572?

    No?

    Best cut them up for a random project that the parts won't fit anyway.
     
    GWRman likes this.
  15. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,326
    Likes Received:
    11,663
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Ok that’s a fair enough point but your not asking that particular demographic to contribute to 7027 and the plans announced for it have you?
    You’ve said nobody who’s paid a visit today has asked about 7027 so if you don’t mind me asking
    ‘Where is 7027 and what are your plans for its future?’
     
    GWRman, The Dainton Banker and ghost like this.
  16. Mr Valentine

    Mr Valentine Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2018
    Messages:
    235
    Likes Received:
    815
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Titfield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Did they ask about the dead cat on the table?

    In case you're wondering....
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2022
  17. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    Messages:
    9,634
    Likes Received:
    8,302
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alderan !
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Just to plant a thought in peoples mind

    one person who as I understand leads one Didcot new build project, founded another and was chair of a third new build project (which they now consider now to be an unsuccessful one) has assisted in the largest scrapping of former BR engines since Woodhams . 2861 (frames scrapped) 4115 (Frames scrapped) , 48518 , 7927 and also led to the demise of 5227

    That isn't preservation

    upload_2022-8-29_20-18-42.png
     
    GWR4707 and S.A.C. Martin like this.
  18. Copper-capped

    Copper-capped Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    Messages:
    2,563
    Likes Received:
    3,316
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Stanthorpe, QLD, Australia
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Perhaps the people who would have asked you about 7027 no longer want to go to Didcot.
     
  19. oldmrheath

    oldmrheath Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2006
    Messages:
    2,265
    Likes Received:
    2,452
    Volunteer effort should always be applauded and it's great to hear that it's been a successful day at Didcot.

    The comment about Thornbury Castle seems unnecessary. Did many ask about the new-build 'Night Owl'?

    Jon
     
  20. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2009
    Messages:
    3,609
    Likes Received:
    1,438
    Occupation:
    Print Estimator/ Repository of Useless Informatio.
    Location:
    Bingley W.Yorks.
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Not commenting on the rights and wrongs, in an ideal world a new no 7 boiler would be made for 4709, and if a new one was built and mainline running was considered then maybe a higher pressure design would enable a reduction in cylinder size.
    However all this nonsense about a no. 8 being 'not even the right one' and 'doesnt even fit' , its as near as you could get and requires very little modification, if you were building a new Black 5 and could get hold of an 8F boiler is about the closest comparison i can think of.
     
    maddog likes this.

Share This Page