Industrial Loco Updates

Well then everyone, it's happened at last:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanfield-railway/4593645506/

Just a test run, still a few bits of tinkering to do I'm told but she's getting closer to being in traffic all of the time.

 

Fantastic She looks superb!!

 

Well you chaps have done a fantastic job, I must come and have a look.

Many things can be sorted over a beer - no doubt we will indulge in a half of Shandy in July....

 

Mmm, nice!

 

Magnificent- great effort

 

Further shots of 71515 are here undergoing test runs on the 1st. Unfortunately (or fortunately which everway you look at it) these uncovered a fault meaning we had to take her out of traffic so couldn't use her on the 2/3rd. The fault has now been fixed so it should be okay now.

http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/c1845419.html

And if you're wondering where we are in relation to Blaenavon town this should give the game away.

http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p64651178.html

regards
Alistair

 

Ali,

Popped over to Blaenavon on bank holiday monday in an attempt to introduce my daughter (and wife!) to one of the finer things in life but No.19 wasn't a bad substitute. Extension certainly coming on leaps and bounds since my last visit for the magical charter with 813. I am sure it wont take long for it all to weather and with a rake of minerals (anyone got any spare?) it will be the nearest we will ever get again to Maesteg and Pontardulais. And you also have one of the best industrial sheds going! Just can not wait for my favourite No.8 to return...

I know this isn't authenthic but how good does Linda look? http://chasewaterstuff.wordpress.com/ She will certainly look the part at Snibstone. Not long ago Chasewater were painting everything in BR or GW livery and running mainline diesels but they now seem to be getting back to their industrial roots.

And Twizell is looking lovely and certainly worth the wait.

Looking forward to a great industrial year,

David

 

Hi David

thanks for the kind words, 19 is a little cracker but 71515 is going to be the bees knees. You are so right though, we do need some 16ts to hang behind her. As there doesn't seem to be any going spare we might have to hire some in for while, especially when No. 8 returns. Pair of them barking up the hill.....gives you goose pimples just thinking about it. With any luck 71515 could be out this weekend, with coaches though.

As for our loco shed, NCB, vintage 1973 and it still does the job.

It looks good by day

http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p43425748.html

and by night

http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p47409272.html

Linda looks cracking as well, should fit in well at Snibston.

As you say, it's going to be good year.
Ali

 

Hi David

I think it was you i spoke to on Bank Holiday Monday, I was driving No. 19 was nice to meet you.

As Ali has already said 71515 will be out on passinger trains this weekend (subject to not breaking again!).

Alex.

 

Boiler for Bagnall 2842 steamed and returned to frames - last steamed 42 years ago.

Dubs boiler steamed b/h weekend - last steamed 25 years ago.

Whiston's boiler also steamed b/h weekend, last steamed 4 years ago.

It is indeed going to be a good year for industrial steam !.

 

Surely you mean 1873... I will find that shot of Glasshougton No.3 outside the shed for you one day. It isn't far away. Yes I thnk we did chat Alex. Family were well impressed with the cakes and picnic! Nice to meet you.

Unfortunately busy this weekend but will get over there soon. Is the livery finished yet?

Not sure what Foxfield will do with all its' new toys....it looks like a top gala this year.

 

Definately 1973 - built by the NCB when they reorganised the railways in the area.

You're thinking of the old Blaenavon Company shed which was closed when the new shed was open

This collection here includes shots of the shed in its final days after the track had been removed

http://www.arthurspics.fotopic.net/c1378903_1.html

The site is now under the industrial estate between Big Pit and the Iron Works

Glad you enjoyed the cakes and the picnic, we do try to please - I'll let Mary who organised it all (and owns 71515) know.

The piccie of Glasshoughton would be grand.

Don't think the liveries been finished yet, but as soon as I know it'll be on here.

regards
Alistair

 

I am gald I joked about the shed as those pics are amazing. That said it certainly doesn't look like a 1970s building. How the place has changed and poor old Ann left all alone in the cleared landscape. Not sure when steam finished (sometime after 1973 I think?) so it must have been the last steam shed built in the UK? Tanfield have the oldest and you have the youngest!

If you can't get some 16 tonners how about a few MGRs? I know they are not prototypical for Blaenavon but Merthyr Vale use to shunt them with steam including ex GWR 9600. There is a pic in the fantastic ''All Trains to Stop'' - a Dutchmans take on the last years of steam in Europe with loads of really gritty UK industrial shots. The MGRs will also probably last a bit longer in the conditions up there and a few more should be preserved.

Looking forward to the day when a filthy Canton blue Brush (or if you must, a 37) rolls up the valley on MTs and an austerity takes them along the Big Pit branch....or maybe even an NCB liveried pannier!

 

Aha... someone has posted a video of Twizell's first run on Youtube. Just drifting past the signalbox really but it gives a good impression of her size! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOb5MtKE-ks

 

The grape vine has it that Bagnall 2842 has moved under its own power for the first time in 42 years at Foxfield. Well done to the team.

 

One for ARISE, it seems the number of pseudo J94s in service has risen... Peak Rail's WD150 is now '68013'... "We have a main line loco still, look!", per chance?

 

No's static I think as I think the Pontypool engine was black till recently.

Anyway Mr Denscombe I have smoke box to fit next weekend before the boiler lift - many things to do and not enough hours in the day. If you are free...

 

Ah, but it wasn't in service ;-) Still, to be fair, off the top of my head I can only think of 2 at the moment, so maybe things are looking up! As for Dubs, Sunday may be a possibility, I'll be in touch during the week.

 

You are correct 71515 was black until recently but is now anything but!

It work faultlessley at the weekend and on a test run in the evening from Blaenavon sounded AWESOME coming up the hill with 3 coaches and an 08 in tow. I will post pictures when I've sorted them but am rather busy spreading the good news.

The man Inspector man, he says yes!!! As long as we can get the paperwork completed (and we will) the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway will open to Blaenavon on Saturday May the 29th. Engines will be No.19 and 71515 top and tail.

One step closer to Daves dream above :0)

 

I have uploaded photos of five locos that may be of interest, three at the NRM and two at Peak Rail:

Black Hawthorn 305

http://andrewsteamtransport.fotopic.net/p64883341.html

Hudswell Clark 573

http://andrewsteamtransport.fotopic.net/p64883342.html

Hunslet 3192

http://andrewsteamtransport.fotopic.net/p64883343.html

Sentinel 9629

http://andrewsteamtransport.fotopic.net/p64883345.html

Vulcan Foundry 3272

http://andrewsteamtransport.fotopic.net/p64883441.html

Cheers

AN