30925 Cheltenham

As there is only one Schools operating in Britain at the moment with no pospect of returning to nationwide mainline use; does anyone know if the NRM ever intends to restore 30925?

Surely this would be a good use of resources when there has not been an example of this most famous 4-4-0 out on the mainline for more than 45 years.

 

5th May 1980
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=212428&nseq=3

The NRM doesn't seem to have the money to restore anything these days. They have to have a public appeal to complete the restoration of 4472 and a magazine appeal funded the ludicrous re-streamlining of 46229.

 

Why ludicrous please?

 

Sorry but I have to disagree.
Whatever peoples personal preferences it is clear that the museum has to finish the restoration of 4472 first having taken public money in order to achieve this. Setting aside the financial drain 4472 will cause the reality is that given the relatively limited support crews available to the NRM (perhaps someone will be able to better comment on this) they simply cannot logistically manage another roaming engine, as they have a very large number already out (Cromwell; Truro; Nelson; Lamiel; missing any?) not to mention those on loan to various groups which they also have to keep an eye on (e.g. O4 and Beattie)

As for the most famous 4-4-0 surely that title goes to City of Truro and personally I think finance would be better spent on fitting OTMR to allow this to return to the main line for GWR 175.

Having said all that I’d love to see Cheltenham back and would be very happy to be proved wrong.

Mods: perhaps move to NRM section?

 

Remember there is a third Schools, 30928 'Stowe'. According to the website:

"Having only just concluded negotiations to purchase the loco it is not yet possible to indicate when work to overhaul Stowe will start, but the Society are now reviewing options for the overhaul with the Bluebell Railway and hope to make an announcement soon. "

" The Bluebell Railway has agreed to fund and undertake the overhaul that Stowe requires. We are keen to do whatever we can to assist."

I don't know how recent this news is, so can't say whether or not the overhaul is imminent. Then again, isn't Q class No. 541 ahead of her in the queue?

I remember watching the rainhill parade and the commentary stated that Cheltenham would become part of the main line operational fleet shortly after the event, this didn't seem to happen, was there any particular reason why?

 

Flawed crank axle

 

I was about to suggest that Cheltenham might take her place in the mainline fleet after Lord Nelson's ticket expires, but I think this rather puts the kybosh on any restoration project. We'll just have to be content with 2 out of 3 survivors in use at opposite ends of England.

At the risk of diverting the thread a little, I wonder what the chances are of arranging a reunion of Nellie, Sir Lamiel and Repton while all three are "in ticket"? Being partisan, I'd love to see that at the MHR (the nearest thing to a preserved SR mainline), but would certainly travel to Loughborough or Pickering to see it.

 

Whats the point of spending money on a national collection loco when there is already an example steamable.
If it was a unique item, then maybe there is an argument for returning to steam.

 

There is a possible hope for 30925, but I am not allowed to say what. But it would include returning it to steam.

 

I thought that present NRM policy was that locos in the collection would not be considered for a return to steam if they were not unique and examples could be found elsewhere. Policies can be changed, though.

 

as far as i understand it the NRM wants as many working locos as possible as part of a policy to actually see working examples rather than museum pieces.

 

If all the boxes can be ticked off then I think we may see her run again in the near future.
:smt001 :smt001

 

First I've heard of it folks...

 

There was quite a lengthy discussion on Cheltenham quite some time ago on NP (sure it will be there in the archives somewhere). I think one of the things that came to light was that she had the shortest time 'in ticket' of any preserved loco probably ever in that she was restored in time for Rainhill in 1980, ran in the cavalcade (and went to Dinting) before the flawed axle was discovered - I think she only steamed a handful of times.

Theoretically, I suppose this should make her in quite good shape although (1) it was 29 years ago and time will probably have undone a lot of the work that was done in 1980 to get her running and (2) the requirements for putting an engine into working order weren't quite as stringent as they are now.

 

A main line "schools" would be an exciting project. Hopefully there would not be clearance issues on to-day's rather constricted railway, bearing in mind the class were built for the Tonbridge-Hastings lne with its restricted tunnels. Here is a 4-4-0 that could handle 10 or 11 coaches quite comfortably, and could run at 75mph.

It's great that Repton is now able to run to Whitby & Battersby (I was most impressed with its performace between Pickering & Grosmont when visiting the NYMR a couple of years ago) and one hopes that it won't be that long before Stowe will be running between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, but neither loco really is being given the chance to show its full potiential.

 

What with the ludicrous re-streamlining of 46229? I thought it looked amazing. It could do with a rake of coaches to go with it!

I am at a complete loss why 4472 is costing 1.2mil at last report. I have seen the job list, but it still seems to be a little much. I know there is a lot of boiler work, but a if a new one for the A1 "only" cost 350k or so.....

I do think it is imperative 4472 is returned to steam. She might now be everyone’s favorite engine but she is the worlds most famous.

 

It's interesting to read the comments on this photo by Brian Stephenson, particularly the one from Alan Crotty, who was a member of the support team in 1980.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=250255&nseq=10

Perhaps she wasn't in such good health then.

I'm all in favour of getting 925 back in steam, although it may be unlikely. Personally, I'd like to see lots of the NRM locos in steam. A few examples: The beautiful SECR 4-4-0 no.737; 34051; 2500; 42700, and, as a Manchester lad, the L&Y 2-4-2T.

 

Especially when her owners know nothing about it...