BRW 9466

in Jon's own words rather than the Rail Advent rewrite

"9466 ‘the big Pannier update’

I am afraid I have some bad news, so after carrying out various repairs and doing all we can the decision has been made to withdraw 9466 from traffic.

It’s very sad and I can’t quite believe we are here, owning this engine has been full of ups and downs, those close will understand the issues that continually hit us and sadly old repairs just keep providing continued knock backs.

The team at Williton have worked so hard and after what we hoped was a successful repair it’s just not worked out as hoped. My plan was to try and get her through to November 25.

To be honest I have run out of energy so the engine will be pulled. We will focus on 4936 which is returning back to the WSR for completion and then we will dismantle the pannier and ensure that she is repaired as required.

It’s been a fun engine to own and operate, I know she’s been a loved engine at the WsR and I personally very sorry for those who we have let down, she was booked to support other Railways this winter and it’s just been against us.

The engine will return to Williton for storage until there is a slot after Kinlet Hall. It’s evident that the block is well past its best so once the boiler is off we will remove the cylinder block. "

Public post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10235849623685177&set=a.1186260940845

 

JJP does unfortunately have rather expensive bills coming . For all the pronouncements on 4936 has much happened on it . 9466 Wont be cheap and 6435 again a full overhaul. Realistically are the funds going to be available and how much input is the WSR both labour and financially going to be asked for ?

 

to be fair to Jon and based on his facebook feed a lot has been invested in the vintage bus collection both from covered accomodation, climate controls and vehicle restorations . Steam loco's are just so much more expensive to do . Others on the forum know Jon much better and are probably closer to why 4936 is not back in traffic as many of the earlier pronouncements had suggested and the steps that lead from 84E to Williton