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7027 Thornbury Castle

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

  1. Johann Marsbar

    Johann Marsbar Well-Known Member

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    I see that 7027 warrants a single paragraph in the latest FoGCML Main Line - basically thanking all the volunters who contributed "hundreds of hours of their own time working on the engine in the expectation that it would steam again...."
    I don't think any other comment is necessary.
     
  2. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Yes funnily enough I was disappointed they converted King George to a side tank, especially as it is one of two surviving 15” Hunslet saddle tanks.
     
  3. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I noticed that too - and thought it a very well judged comment that said everything necessary, while avoiding anything contentious
     
  4. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I must confess I never realised she was originally a saddle tank, so yet another rather peculiar decision from the GWS overhauling a locomotive whilst laudable in her own right with no link to the auspices of the GWS and Didcot?
     
  5. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    As I was saying in an earlier post, it was purchased as an income generator rather than part of the core collection, with conversion to Thomas being the plan rather than hiring in one. Then the plan changed and Didcot dropped Thomas events just as it was coming to the end of the overhaul. As the side tanks had already been built they decided to turn it out with them as a member of the regular fleet which rendered the side tank conversion as rather pointless.

    In their defence, I can understand that decision as it was nearly complete when the plans changed but disappointing due to its rarity and I hope in the future now there is no need for a Thomas it will be put back in its correct form.
     
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  6. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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    As Didcot used to run quite a few Thomas events (inc Christmas with Thomas) it made sense to have their own Thomas. Not sure why that changed, but assume the Thomas event fees probably played a large part in the decision to stop those events.
    I believe the original saddle tanks have been kept, so it wouldn't be too hard to convert back to original form.
     
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  7. Richard Roper

    Richard Roper Well-Known Member

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    So in other words it's now just an inauthentic side tank, not even a T****s lookie-likie. Nice. Was the saddletank kept, or has it been condemned? Be nice to see it restored as it should be.

    Richard.
     
  8. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Yes indeed I was aware of that and also believe the saddle tanks have been retained hence why I was saying I understand the original reasoning and hope that in the future the original form will be restored.
     
  9. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Basically yes it is due to circumstances. However, there is hope that the saddle makes a reappearance in the future.
     
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  10. Jimc

    Jimc Part of the furniture

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    No, next time round they should turn it into a pannier tank...
    kgpt.jpg
     
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  11. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Shouldnt that be GWR Green with a shirt button emblem on the tanks, :)
     
  12. Jimc

    Jimc Part of the furniture

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    I leave the colour change for the keen student!
     
  13. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

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    I am a bit confused - is there an intention to convert Thornbury Castle to a saddle tank now?.....
     
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  14. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Yes, using the saddle tank from King George and the bunker from the remains of 5227.
     
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  15. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    Did the GWR ever sketch out a design for a large-wheel 4-6-0T fast goods loco? That's all it would take!
     
  16. Lord Belborough

    Lord Belborough New Member

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    Correct - the amounts charged by Mattel became untenable and yes the original saddle tanks have been kept. Plan will be to hire out in due course but we really need 1466 operating to do that. King George is now in full lined out livery and has been doing great service on the branch line for the Santa Specials.
     
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  17. RAB3L

    RAB3L Member

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    As the person responsible for cutting up Trojan's original boiler barrel, I would agree. We put a punch through the bottom of the barrel. Heavily coated with scale. Brass tubes probably didn't help.
     
  18. 2392

    2392 Well-Known Member

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    One thing I've noticed both here and elsewhere, is the amount of [semi self righteous] indignation over the situation 7027 has found itself in. Then when it comes to the crunch and these people are collectively asked to splash the cash. They can't be seen for dust as they run away. As the restoration/overhaul of 7027 is up to the mysterious somebody else to finance.
     
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  19. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    no one has asked me to splash any cash in relation to 7027 and therein is the bigger problem . easy to spout from an armchair , actually doing something constructive and getting together .... no chance
     
  20. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

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    There are very few new "doers" in preservation now and there is much assumption that long time "doers" , many now pensioners, will simply carry on leading from the front ad infinitum. It is very regrettable but unsurprising to me that nobody has grasped the nettle apparently with 7027 and made its survival & eventual restoration their own crusade. Far too many reasons (excuses) for not doing so would no doubt would be put forward.

    A good job that folk were more willing to lead in the 60s/70s/80s or we would have little to interest us now.
     
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