If it hadn't been Hagley Hall...

Inspired by the rumour on the Llangollen thread that the SVR possibly chose 2857 after a mix up with their notes that allegedly would have shown 2859 as actually being in better nick, I have a question about the preserving of another SVR (based, don't know if it's actually owned) engine, Hagley Hall.

It seems generally accepted that Hagley Hall was selected ahead of engines in better condition due to the proximity of the real Hagley Hall to the SVR.
Therefore, my question is, if the SVR had gone for the Hall in the best nick rather than the one with local connections, which one would they have selected?

Does it really matter? Not really, of course, but I'm fascinated by my two Barry books that list all the preserved engines in escaping order, though I'd still like to know more about the decision-making at the time.
Once books are published with the list of departures there in black and white the whole process seems much more concrete and ordered than it must have been at the time - for example, there were so many standard tanks I wouldn't be surprised if one of the preservation groups had made their selection by tossing a coin...

To declare my interest, I've contributed to appeals for two other Halls, Wightwick Hall (http://www.wightwick-hall-6989.com/) and Bickmarsh Hall (http://www.bickmarshhall.co.uk/index.html), so I'm also curious to see whether they'd have gone earlier if the SVR had gone for the example in best mechanical condition.

Finally, I just want to emphasise that this is in no way a criticism of the engine itself or the SVR - I've donated to the this engine as well and have a pretty smart mug to prove it!

 

Speculating here, but maybe the SVR went for Hagley purely becuase of it's local connections, rather than being in the market for a 'Hall'. Didn't they have 6960 at the time?

From the 'list' the next Hall to leave after 4930 was 4942, in 1973.
http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/barryno2.htm

 

It could well have been that the next Hall out would have been their target, but Maindy was bought in order to be converted into a Saint, so Didcot may not necessarily have been looking for 'best remaining example' themselves.

(Plus it would cut the short the debate if it really was as simple as being the next one on the list!)

 

On that basis shoulden't 4936 Kinlet Hall be sitting in Highley now ?, i'd swear i've seen a sgn for a school of that name towards the Bridgnorth end of the line.

 

In a similar vein, I wonder if the Bluebell selected No. 32473 because Birch grove (Home of late the Harold Macmillan) is only a couple of miles away from Horsted Keynes. Was is the best E4 available? I would be interested to know.

 

There is indeed a Kinlet Hall in Shropshire in the village of Kinlet which is in the Cleobury Mortimer area.