Current and Proposed New-Builds

And, I believe, a whole cab side! There was a photo online somewhere.

 

Because of the way the project was structured, the cost of "Beachy Head" is clearly stated in the Bluebell accounts. Up to the end of 2023 (about 6 months before it first steamed) the cost had been £1,341,868. Allowing for 6 months more work and a fairly thorough commissioning programme, the final cost will probably work out pretty close to £1.4million, perhaps just under. The project really ramped up in 2004, so 20 years - that makes £70k per year for two decades. I believe Fred and Kieth at least were paid for their work on the project (probably for far fewer hours than they actually put in) and some components were of course purchased rather than made in house (for example, major castings such as the wheels; frame plates etc), but the cost was still I am sure considerably lower than had the project been contracted out. So at today's values, I suspect £100k per year for a standard gauge tender loco is probably a low-end estimate, particularly if you are contracting a lot of the work at commercial rates.

Every project is different, but I think to be successful, these are some of the indicators I'd be looking for in project terms.

• To have an absolutely clear statement of what you are building and why. "We are constructing a 17" 0-6-2T passenger tank loco to the design of Mr R.H. Crankpin of the Much Meddling and Little Snoring Railway, as closely as possible to the original design; and intend that when finished, the loco will be used on the MM&LSR heritage railway". A clear statement rules out as much as it rules in. Thinking of going mainline? No, go and read the mission statement.
• A stable engineering base for the project, near to the major project personnel. My gut feeling is that for projects that have moved base (I remember seeing "Hengist" at Swanage some years ago, and now it is in Sheffield ...) each move probably causes at least six months of delay in elapsed time. Probably worse if you move right across the country - how do you keep key hands-on personnel involved if they live in Dorset and suddenly you move to Yorkshire?
• Construction in an under cover workshop, with ready access to utilities, tools etc. Locos were restored from scrapyard condition in the 1970s working outside in all weathers, but that was a "needs must". It isn't efficient to work in those conditions and new builds are already more complex, bigger projects - you don't want to work in conditions that hinder you from the start.
• In-house engineering capability that can either build the loco or, if contracted out, has both the expertise and the capacity to closely oversee an external contractor in QA terms. (Looking at the Llangollen situation that effected many projects, while inevitably the direct responsibility for poor work is with Llangollen, for the projects affected there have to be questions about their capacity for oversight at the time).
• A fundraising capability that can keep up with the project for the timescales needed - and an allowance that for contracted-out projects, that funding rate will be larger.

I'm sure people will point at successful projects that don't meet all those criteria, but I think if you are missing several, I'd be seeing flashing amber, if not red, lights on the likelihood of success.

Tom

 

The cracked chimney from 77014 was at Bridgenorth in November 2019 with a message that it was available for sale at highest bid - with additional offer to weld up the crack.

 

Wasn’t the chimney found being used as a fire pit in someone’s back yard?

 

I'm not sure but maybe someone from SVR or 82045 team will know?

 

Yes. Seen in the picture outside 82045s shed at Bridgnorth. It was originally hoped to use it on 82045, but in the end better council prevailed and 820345 got a brand spanking new chimney.

 

Not seen that image - any links?

77014 was scrapped at Birds of Risca in December 1967 running to the end of steam on the Southern.

 

For those interested in the history of the 'cracked' chimney and more including the cab panel see link, 4th para down: http://www.82045.org.uk/82045_about.html or even more detail here: http://www.82045.org.uk/82045_project-history.html

 

Blimey, that is cheap, would they be interested in quoting for our project to build a 17" 0-6-2T passenger tank loco to the design of Mr R.H. Crankpin of the Much Meddling and Little Snoring Railway...?

I'd imagine you made a fair saving on the boiler, and weren't chunks of the tender from stock/behind the sofa?

With each of those there's three possible accounting treatments; what you paid for them, what they are worth on the open market, and the project value (ie the cost of making new ones).

 

For a project that took 20 years you need to adjust the expenditure over that period for inflation if you want a halfway realistic figure for projects that are running now.

 

I've searched on both Flickr, and Google, but cannot find it. I'm sure though, that within the last couple of years, or so, it came up for auction. I seem to think that it now lives in the North Midlands somewhere.

 

There's a picture of the cabside in Steam Days, number 394. There's a lengthy feature of 77014 on the SR .

 

Just 1 point out of this post Tom, I am sure most folk already know why Hengist has moved about but in brief, it was a case of the original base being required for other restorations, which were more active than Hengist probably, so it was dispersed as no single home could be found for it. When the current management took it over, in 2011, a hunt for a new base was a high priority with several offers made and checked out. 1 was agreed but then withdrawn after a couple of years. CTL Seal were one of the companies frequently approached to provide parts, as we were collecting parts most of the time, our engineer is Sheffield based and many of the workforce are within reasonable reach, and CTL were delighted when approached and we now have an in-house engineering capability that can build the loco in excellent facilities, not a shed at the side of a siding in the middle of nowhere. Over the years personnel has changed a lot, an inevitable result of years passing and the task increasing in complications and regulations imposed. If you need further clarification read the Clan website. This statement is made without reference to the 'Council of Management' but by someone who was involved in the change of management.
Apart from that matter, I personally cannot argue with your points. When building a new build you never have enough income, even when you have finished the job. You still have to run and maintain the object of your obsession. If you are not obsessed, the project will fail.

 

Don’t know if there’s any other rugby fans on here but ‘North Midlands’ as a descriptor lost all meaning to me as a teenager when I discovered that my local county cup side was North Midlands.

As far as the RFU is concerned, that’s the governing body for Shropshire (ok), Greater Birmingham, Worcestershire and, er, Herefordshire…

 

Indeed, I am not doubting that there were sensible reasons for a move, simply noting that such moves come with a cost, particularly in timeline.

There is another strategic issue for those locos which are being built at non-railway connected sites, which is "what do you do when you finish it?" The locos that are being built "at a railway, for use on a railway" have a big advantage there, as the transition from construction to operation (and it is a transition, not a sharp dividing line) is smoother. Those who know the loco best (those who built it) are on hand as those who will operate it start discovering the inevitable quirks and niggles. I think it is no surprise that following completion, "Betton Grange" has quickly come to an agreement to use a heritage railway as a long-term strategic partner and base. My prediction is that as other new builds approach completion, they will be looking for long-term operating bases both to make maintenance more consistent and plannable, and to provide cost-effective operations without constant travel from gala to gala.

Tom

 

The boiler did exist, though it obviously required an overhaul, new tubes and flues, an entirely new superheater header being cast (possibly one of the most complex new castings on the loco), new safety valves, smokebox, chimney, boiler cladding etc. The tender under frame and wheel sets came from two separate LBSCR tenders; the remainder is new.

Hard to know how much that saved - perhaps the project would have been about £2m and somewhat longer. More likely, without the boiler, the project may never have started.

Tom

 

Beachy Head was built to run on the Bluebelle, and the set up they had whilst not ideal once the engine was nearing completion, as a good comprimise, their own workshop, but with access to the full machine shop at sheffield park when needed, so the project did not take up shed space but was not hampered by lack of facilities,
The only draw back was the location of Alantic house, and not being able to access the shed yard, The projects most likely to have a good outcome will be the ones tied to a railway, with a good amount of facilities and skilled people .

 

77014. Crying out for a GoFundMe page to restore it!

 

Reading the full article, her whistle, and original smokebox numberplate also survive.