Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

Re. Tangmere's overhaul: Looking at UKsteam.info, I see that 34067 has been replaced by 44932 on 23rd Oct. Not a surprise. More interesting, though, is a new RTC tour, on 11th Dec, with Tangmere as the rostered loco. She has not (yet) been replaced on the tours planned for 25th and 27th Nov and beyond. This suggests to me that the work is nearing completion and that we might see some test/running-in trips in November. Or maybe RTC are just sticking their necks out? I know that WCRC don't comment on such things until after the event...

 

Re Steam Dreams "non-stop" run on 9th July: the WCRC GUV would look very good behind Braunton's tender, and should allow her to run to Bournemouth, at least, without a top-up. However, a stop somewhere like Northam may be necessary for pathing.

I like the idea of 48151 working up to Bincombe and Evershot tunnels unassisted. A long way from home, perhaps, but in the absence of a main-line certified 9F, the best available loco for the task.

 

That sounds like a plan. I'm sold! I'd also be up for a 'newspaper special' to Exeter to take advantage of the lack of traffic on the Honiton section at that time of day.

 

Looks like were getting a positive response to running a late evening rail tour. Does anyone on here know or have good connections with a rail tour operator. If you do maybe you could have a word in there ear about this. If that doesn’t work take them down the pub and feed them lots of beer until they agree.

 

By the way, I was looking at this month's edition of Heritage Railway, and saw a fantastic photograph of 35005 and 34101 doubleheading and passing 34039 on a freight on the Great Central Railway (on p. 69). I hope the GCR does a Southern mainline theme at some point in the near future...

 

The Trip on the 11th was originally scheduled on the 4th, and has been shown as Tangmere since the brochure was published in April.

 

Does anyone have any up to date infomation about 34073 249 Squadron.

Thanks

 

I saw in Steam Railway that it has been withdrawn it from sale. However, this was merely a headline, and the magazine lacked an article on it.

 

is this how steam on the third rail area was first used in the 90's? running in the dark!!!
mark

 

Yep, and some people must be getting a pang of nostalgia for it... Mind you, steam at night is something else, a real sense of atmosphere.

 

Plenty of progress on 34053 Sir Keith Park as shown here:

http://southernlocomotivesltdphotogallery.fotopic.net/c1810228.html

However SLL need to find the cash to buy the tubes, flues and elements for the boiler. They've launched a Sponsor-a-Tube offer:

http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/34053/34053_Tubes.html

 

This really does show what loco restoration is all about! Well done all those folk, how rewarding on completion.
Now, do I contribute to SKP tubes or Hengist cylinder pattern or K1 repairs?
That's the problem isn't it folks!!

 

I hope they do too, the Southern Railway has always in my opinion had an extra something that the other companies didn't. They mainly carried passengers, but everything they did they did in style... I hear No. 34039 "Boscastle" could be back in service in a year or so, which I think will be great as I always thought that if the GCR wants to display a mainline steam railway, you can't have mainline steam railway without a pacific. Plus it would make a good substitute for No. 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" at special events when he's not available, afterall No. 70013 is a busy engine...

Speaking of which, I hear No. 34073 "249 Squadron" hasn't got a buyer yet. I hope it dosen't get scrapped, their lovely machines... I wonder if maybe the Boscastle Locomotive Limited, when their finished getting No. 34039 running, they might think of a secondary project... Unlikely but it would be brilliant if they did, it would be great for both enthusiast and education purposes. Imagine showing a kid (or anyone really) both No. 34073 and No. 34039 side by side, and telling them that "Boscastle" actually used to look exactly like "249 Squadron"! They'll be like "WHAT?" or "REALLY?".

 

IMHO the BB Pacifics are more than just steam engines, they are memorials to those who fought in the Battle Of Britain. I find it sad therefore that 34073 is still a kit of parts rather than a working loco proudly displaying the name of 249 Squadron. Hopefully one day she will take her place alongside 34081, 34072, 34067, 34070 and others in keeping alive the memory of The Few.

 

Spot on. There's even a case for carrying a 249 Squadron plate one side and James Brindley Nicholson VC plate on the other.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing progress on 34053 Sir Keith Park this weekend at the SLL shareholder's event. It'll also be nice to finally get a ride behind Manston, too!

 

I agree and I will see what support there is amongst my fellow RAF Association members in perhaps moving forward with 34073 if the chance arose. Whilst RAFA is a charity that exisits to support serving and retired RAF personnel and their families, there may be some steam locomotive supporters (like me!) amongst the ranks. "249 Sqn" is very special in that one of the Sqn pilots, Flt Lt Nicholson, won Fighter Command's only VC in the Battle of Britain, so the Sqn's namesake does have some real "clout" as a memorial in my view too.b

 

Well rather than talking about it we could form a group and get some money togther and try to purchase the loco?