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Remaining Ex Barry locomotives?

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Flying Phil, Dec 29, 2021.

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  1. Scrat

    Scrat New Member

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    In reality, is any steam engine great to work on, I don’t think it is confined to just GWR locos, lol… Removing the inside valve and piston from a Bulleid pacific whilst cramped under a smokebox takes some beating when it comes to crap jobs on steam locos, that’s before you get to something bent or broken in an oil bath….
    I’d rather remove something from the inside of a GWR loco any day over this…
     
    Scrat, Jun 1, 2026 at 8:16 PM
    #61
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  2. Steve

    Steve Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    That really depends on what you are doing. Washing out a boiler or brushing down a firebox are never going to be fun tasks. However, driving and firing undoubtedly can be and that is what the previous comments have been about. There’s the enjoyable pleasure of spending the day on a Standard tank, including all the prep and disposal to the nightmare of spending the day on the Super D. It’s an all round experience, as well. Driving a Castle can be fun if you exclude the preparation. That’s where the Standard 4 tanks win. They are easy to prepare, easy to drive and fire and easy to dispose.
     
    Steve, Jun 2, 2026 at 8:29 AM
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  3. std tank

    std tank Part of the furniture

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    I wondered how long it would be before someone mentioned the Super D.
     
    std tank, Jun 2, 2026 at 8:42 AM
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  4. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Thats the nub of it Steve. I missed out (?!) on the Super D but from what I've been told by mates who had "the pleasure" it was something of an acquired taste ....
    As you say, something can happen even on "the best" of locos to spoil the day but on some locos the negative one's seem to be very few and far between.
    All quite subjective too because some locos favour a person of modest proportions whilst others need a big reach and large hands to operate comfortably.
    All that said, I've never been happier than on an Austerity ("J94") with 4 or 5 coaches in tow. It's not as "good" as a 4MTT but perfectly decent for the job in hand. There's also a bit more of a challenge with a smaller loco, the std tank is so forgiving on most heritage lines you're unlikely to get caught out firing but with an Austerity or similar/smaller you have to be even more switched on. Which is where the fun is.
     
    26D_M, Jun 2, 2026 at 8:54 AM
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  5. Hermod

    Hermod Well-Known Member

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    What makes a Super D worse than a NER 0-8-0?
    Am asking because my ideal UK freight is a two cylinder compound mix of a Webb A type and a Worsdell/Raven Netta.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM
    Hermod, Jun 2, 2026 at 9:10 AM
    #65
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