Current and Proposed New-Builds

Que?

 

More like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomers

 

I've just read the Steam Railway article and it does make, IMO, a good point that duplicating projects will be a failure, ie, the streamlined P2 and the second B17 (daft idea if ever there was one)

a couple of the ones discussed did come from established groups, the Fowler tank and SECR E class, which might have indicated a chance of success, but neither ever started. The Claud got as far as a few small parts, but the J50 was never more than a Facebook page

 

Wasn't the Fowler tank proposed as a follow-on from the Patriot? That could remain possible but, as the Patriot has taken so much longer than planned, only if enough new blood joins the team.

 

Yes it was, similar to the P2 with Tornado and the E class was a follow up to Beachy Head.

 

Unfortunately most of the board have got to a certain age, and the will to start another project that would be 10-15 years AFTER 5551 is completed would mean that many would be into their mid 90s, some over 100 before if ever got steaming. Plus lets say that 5551 manages to get in steam by 2027 there is absolutely still loads to do in organising its first "events" and then creating a home base, reassessing the mainline possibility etc etc.

On top of that there would then be the issue of funding a 2nd loco, 95% of 5551s income has come from members/donors that are now into their 70s. I dont personally see the next generation being as into steam as those who remember it "live" and it was their main hobby. That means that all the current groups will be fighting for an even smaller pool of money, and less volunteers with the required skills means more and more loco groups will have to diversify into fundraisers to try to have more contract work done on their locos.

You can tell me im completely wrong, but thats my prediction.

This is why when i see groups that are raising less than 100k per year AND are expecting to use contractors to build it i just shake my head and say absolutely no chance it will ever steam.

 

Nail --> head.

 

Good points @Gav106 my personal feeling is that once the current lot of new builds are completed, or abandoned, no more will start

 

I tend to agree - I'm not sure that there'll even be the generational change of new-build diesels once 10000 and D5910 are completed. I think "New Build Mania" has had its day.

 

Demographics. I am 65 and can only just about remember the tail end of steam on BR, a few vague childhood memories of a few Black fives, 8Fs, WDs and that's about it, a Brit once and a 9F once. Anyone even slightly younger than me won't even have this

 

I'm 60, my brother is 72. He remembers a good deal of steam on the ECML and nearly all of the prototype diesels, Lion and Falcon in particular. For me, it's BR Blue diesels with the odd green escapee for relief, but an interesting variety of locomotives on the ECML - from Deltics (of course) all the way down to 08s (yes, really!) on the occasional trip working to Conington Tip.

 

I have for some time held the view that the problems facing future New Builds, will become ever more difficult because the country has lost its manufacturing base and therefore its pool of educated and highly skilled workshop personel. As this pool continues to decline, costs will ineviatebly increase.The problem for the future will therefore be a lack of skilled volunteers, who dramatically reduce construction costs, and increasing manufacturing costs if work is outsourced.

The positive news is that the construction of a New steam loco will always offer a stimulating and unexpected challenge!

Congratulations to all the current New Build projects. Completed or on the way to completion. Your efforts and determination are truly remarkable.

 

We've forgotten to include a couple of narrow gauge completions, the Lynton and Barnstaple 2-4-2 tank and Southwold railway 2-4-0 tank. Not that well up on NG, may be others I don't know about

 

Two Corris locos, at least. And isn't there a new build (maybe not that new any more) of some sort on the Groudle Glen. And I think someone built one or more new quarry Hunslets, not sure where those are though. And then there is the Ffestiniog.

W.r.t. demographics, I'm 50 and my earliest steam memories are of Flying Scotsman shuttling up and down the demonstration line at Carnforth. I guess it was still a formative experience, but not one that everyone my age will have been lucky enough to experience, having been too young for the 'real thing'.

And much as I would like to pour my hypothetical millions into a new-build this or that, my personal priority would be getting some of the still-rusting historical locos back into some sort of order. Or putting money into wooden-bodied rolling stock, which is sadly lacking in support (with a few notable exceptions) yet could be the 'jewel in the crown' of so many of our heritage railways.

 

And a few T3 type restorations of locos which haven't turned a wheel in years. Also there's another completed one which I forgot about, the Lynton and Barnstaple 2-6-2 tank

 

ISTR discussions about using the chassis of 76077 as a basis for a 77xxx at one time. Obviously that's a non-starter now because 76077 is being restored in her own right.

 

That's where my covenant to 60163 has now gone - the restoration of the ex-GNR D245 coach now at Quainton Road.

 

I would side with what seems a fairly substantial majority in thinking that there will be few, if any, new build projects starting up in the near future. If I am proved wrong - and wouild be very happy were this to be the case - a 77xxx would be rather good simply to complete the set. Thanks to

• Woodhams ending up with 71000 and several 76xxx and 78xxx locos,
• the tremendously well-run 82045 project,
• the slowly but steadily progressing 78059 to 84030 conversion project at the Bluebell and
• the impressive team which has convinced even the biggest doubters tkhat it's "when" not "if" for 72010,

that will give us 11 of the 12 standard classes one day, with only the 77xxx missing. Most of us Southern fans feel very sad that 77014 didn't survive given its role on 9th July 1967 so there would certainly be a groundswell for a 77xxx new build in my part of the world, but it's a big, big leap from "WIBN" to a completed loco. Never say never, but the realist in me says "highly unlikely".

 

I would have liked both the Claud and the the SECR E-class projects to have gone forward, but accept that is simply WIBN territory. The LNWR George project is still alive, but seems to be proceeding very slowly.

But another 4-4-0 new-build project looks to be coming on apace. GCR 567 is from an obscure class (LNER D7) which became extinct in 1939. What is it that enables this project to apparently be driving forward?

I wonder if Didcot have noticed that a Dean Stella-class 2-4-0 shares a boiler design with the 5700-class pannier tanks?

 

I've heard it said that the chimney from 77014 is still extant?

Mark