SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

I’ve seen the engine’s capabilities several times, as someone has said it wasn’t called the mighty mogul for nothing. I was thinking of the time it will take to kit it out for mainline running in 2026 and get it all tested. Will it need a support coach or is that being provided by VT?

 

I don't know all the ins and outs here, John, but the idea was mooted many months ago so much of the preparation work will have been done already.

 

I appreciate that the loco is owned by an independent group, so they can define how they wish to see it used. But you do wonder at the opportunity cost to the SVR of having one of their current running fleet out on the mainline rather than available for service trains. My rule of thumb is that a day on the mainline, by time you also factor in time required for an FTR and any pathing moves, is equivalent to a week of heritage line running - so each trip inevitably puts more pressure on the remaining home fleet locos. Even if you could really work magic with diagramming (for example, doing a mainline trip and then return to SVR in the evening to be available for heritage line services the next day, without the loco ever getting cold) it is still something of a strain on the host railway, I feel. At the very least, you have to manage the tension when the railway might want the loco to cover a shortfall in motive power but find it has been committed for a mainline duty at the same time.

From time to time we've been asked whether various Bluebell locos could go mainline, and the answer has always been that while they are maintained to a suitable standard, it is too much distraction from the core role of running a heritage railway - particularly when motive power fleets and manpower are stretched thin. So it is interesting to see this loco group and railway choose a different answer.

Tom

 

As you state, the loco is owned independently of the SVR - it has to earn its keep.
Steam mileage has dropped significantly on the SVR since covid, that reduces opportunities to earn money. We have seen both manors disappear to Somerset for the summer, one until 2027. We have 4150 returning and one of the manors for Christmas services. Hagley Hall will be repaired, as will 1450. 813 is back and 7714 continues to give great service, 75069 remains available. Next year (may) see 82045 steam - there is no shortage of motive power at the SVR. I don't blame independent loco owners for looking for alternative income streams, especially if VT are assisting with its certification.

 

I don't want to get into the SVR's politics but I imagine that, like the last set of main line outings, the engine's use off the SVR will be restricted to off-season dates when they run shorter trains with the smaller engines. I don't off hand know which of the smaller engines will be available but of the larger ones, besides 2968 there are 4930 and 75069, and I think the SVR was struggling to know what to do with all three at the beginning of year. Thus main line use will mean the engine is gainfully employed in periods when it otherwise would be standing idle.

 

Not to forget that for similar reasons the EMF have their locos hired away from SVR during the main season too.

 

I agree that using railway owned locomotives and volunteers is a big drain on resources, I think this was why the Mid Hants gave up with their green train but the Mogul Fund has its own volunteers and is funding the additional costs of getting the engine match for the mainline. I’m not sure but I thought the engine is on a maintain and run agreement with the Valley and we don’t know what the financial arrangements are for mainline running where the steaming fees are a lot higher than on a heritage line. The fact that the SVR are quite enthusiastic about this move suggests they have been consulted from the beginning.

 

I can state that the SVR has been involved in this from the beginning. After that we move into the realms of commercial confidentiality and I wouldn't go there, even if I knew the answers.

 

It’s good to know, and that the SVR is comparatively comfortable for locos - just surprising, as the normal direction is that mainline running is often seen as a diversion.

Tom

 

I think it’s understood that the detailed arrangements are between the SVR and the Mogul fund and no one else. The one thing that needs to be acknowledged is the huge commitment in terms of the extra work involved especially for the engineers and electricians. Running on the big railway is a lot different from when 2968 was last out. A big thank you to all involved

 

What tender will it use? It was running with a Stanier tender on the Holyhead clip.

 

The original Fowler type.

 

So when is 7325 joining it? I had some epic runs behind that pair. Plymouth (62 late Exeter, 17 late Plymouth! I believe the return was just under an over after a signal check outside Exeter), Okehampton, first steam run up the Lickey.

 

7325 is currently at Bridgnorth for a survey to assess the work needed for its next overhaul. Even if this were to start immediately it sadly wouldn't be finished in time to join 2968 on the main line. But yes, they made a formidable pair.

 

7325, unless Im mistaken was in the Carriage shed 30 minutes ago.

 

It's gone back then? Survey complete?

 

Not to challenge but just for clarification, how do you define "stronger"? The TE is more than a Black 5's by virtue of the smaller wheels, but only marginally.

Anyway I look forward to a ride.

 

Plus things have changed a lot since the last time it was out and I doubt NR will look hugely favourably on it doing big loaded trains. 11 I think will be a distant memory.

I’ll certainly be interested to know its top speed if I recall rightly it’s got 6inch smaller wheels than a 5? Does that put it in 8F caterogry, or does it just sneak in to the 60?

 

Hope you finally get the chance to go to Mallaig and prove the equal of the K1 as champion of that route.

 

Im not sure how you are categorising steam availability versus work but certainly I wouldn’t have painted the pretty picture you have above.

Roughly next year there will be 450 home loco steamings.
- 7714 should manage 30 of those before it comes out of ticket.
- If you put 1450/813 together a “large loco” you’ll get probably 80 out of them.
- 4930 well let say for arguments sake it manages the 2nd half of the year (Compelte guess as there’s no fixed info), likely that would do 50.
- 75069 - Limited Mileage this year to preserve it through to V&P stage. Either it does another limited 30 ish days use, or gets pulled for the V&P.

So that’s 190 of the 450 covered.

- If 7802 stays and covered 2 washouts that’s 80, but if it does the same as this year it’ll do 30. So let’s average that out at 55 for these maths.
- 4150 2 washouts is 80.

So now 325 of the 450 steamings are covered.

With 13268 likely out on the mainline covering even just Shakespeare work that would knock it down to around 50 ish days at home.

So perhaps we’ve covered 375 steamings of the 450. What loco is making up the other 75? And we’ve assumed a failure rate of 0.

I’d also be inclined to look at Xmas this year….
- 4930 out the picture.
- 13268 suggested to be doing Polars
- 7802/75069/4150 can handle south end work, 7714 north end…But again that’s allowing a 0 failure rate as 1450/813 not suitable