Heritage Railway Magazine- Didcot to build 47xx class

I think that quite a vaid point. However I think that compleating the other porjects first take take the centre stage first.

Anyway is there much point debating this yet? The 'project' hasn't been launched so it might not even happen...

 

"Anyway is there much point debating this yet? The 'project' hasn't been launched so it might not even happen..."

I guess you are absolutely right!

From taking information posted on this thread from people far more knowledgeable than me, I can only surmise that although a brand new 47xx would be a remarkable sight and it would complete the Churchward "lineage" of GWR types, it would not exactly be a very good locomotive for practical purposes (not ideal for main line express use and too long a wheel base for most heritage lines). Perhaps the only option is for Didcot to build a large scale model of a 47xx (I'm sure that in itself would not be cheap!) and display it alongside a scale model of a 28xx so that curious folk like me would get an idea of what these locos actually looked like, albeit in model form, together. Still, if there is sufficient funding for a new 47xx to go ahead then that's great. I'd like to see the County finished first though. Progress seems swift if you go by their website updates and, arguments about the boiler aside, I think it could be quite a hit. As for the 47xx, perhaps not.

 

The 47xx is a real project, it just hasn't been launched yet. Last I heard about it (over a year ago) was it would be launched after 6023 is returned to steam. As I said previously, I presume that those in charge feel 6023 is close enough to the end to put a feeler out or HR have got wind of something and put together a story lacking detail.

 

At least there's very little harm that can come to preservation in the aftermath of this story, which is more than can be said for the irresponsible and slap-dash piece of prose that featured in another magazine recently regarding the financial 'completion' of the Brighton Atlantic. I've heard that some people canceled their standing orders because of it, thereby endangering the project. I hope the magazines learn their lesson that any misrendering of the information has the potential to do more harm than good.

 

Scrapped Prairie

The wheels you are referring to came off 4156 and are now sitting under 7325 whose wheels which are Churchward style are now stored outside on the area adjcacent to the Stourport branch and will be used for Betton Grange

 

The wheels of the 76xxx are at Erdington - but only the one wheelset - the driving one.

The driving and coupled wheels off 4156 are currently under 7325 and either these (when the tyres are worn out?) or the ex 7325 ones may in time find their way under 6880.

 

Being more or less born into the aftermath of Brighton works, I'm not a natural GW fanatic.
Despite it being without name, a 47XX, would be one of the few locomotives of the genre that would bring a tingle to my spine.
New build would have to be the way to go IMO, but as I say I'm not a GW fanatic so I won't lose sleep.
The basic outlook for many of the people who restore locomotives, is relative comfort whilst doing the deed. Add in a the opportunity to learn new skills, a good wedge of variety, and no pressure of time.
Does it matter if a 47XX takes fifty years to build? It's all about augmenting the history books anyway.

If one single day far into the future, someone can stand on a hillside and see her flat out barking her way up the bank, then it's been a success.

 

Whats the length of the coupled wheelbase on a 47xx ?

 

6' 6"+6' 6"+7' 0" , so 20' total

 

ta.....

 

No worries

 

Night Owl 4709 A Goer!

Taken off Didcot's news page.

Excellent news, certainly looking forward to this project.

 

Well, once you have restored a magnificent "King" and wowed the World with a steam railmotor, what can you do next?!

In my case, apologise for a start! My post at No 8 gave my view that there would be little tangible support for a 47xx recreation. Well, I was wrong!!

It would appear that this 47xx project is now going to go ahead, according to the GWS Didcot Website:

http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/

A great deal of investigation into this project has already been undertaken it seems and, just as importantly, there appears to be at least sufficient financial support to make this extinct locomotive a reality. A new 47xx will require parts from a 28xx, a 52xx and a 51xx, all 3 of which are available from the "Barry Ten" repository. It is interesting to read that the GWS does not intend to scrap anything from the donor locomotives, a wise move in my view.
I never saw these locos in service (and I guess not many GWR fans did either as they tended to run on night goods). However, a big 2-8-0 will be a most impressive sight and, as Churchward's last design, a worthy project, albeit not perhaps "mainstream" enough for some and only 9 locos were built by the GWR. I presume the biggest expense will be the Swindon No 7 boiler which is/was unique I believe?
I will follow this project with great interest, as I tend to with most of them! I only wish I could support them all financially, even this one!

 

As long as didcot doesn't cut up the remains, does it matter... It's not as if new wheels or a cylinder could not be made in the future.. In the same vein, how many other 28xx are still waiting to be restored ?

 

I guess it has to asked, how practical would a 47xx be on the mainline? Is it an aim for this group?

Chris

 

It is unique, and it is larger than a Castle boiler, so it quite a big job. In fact, it was planned to be fitted to the Castles but the weight was too much for the Civil Engineer so the smaller number 8 was used instead.
It's good to hear that this is going forward and it will have some of my money when I have some!