URGENT - 6023 Safety Valve Bonnet

Even if some low life did get it off to try and make some quick cash they'll be disappointed. I wouldn't have thought any scrap merchant will take a safety valve bonnet. Its barely worth anything as scrap its so thin.

 

A story to your kids some day...

And in 20 years the mags will run an article about a king being buried under a waitrose

 

Don't know how much a new bonnet would be to fabricate, but a picture on the side of the road, where the bonnet was last seen and a cash reward for the successful return might work. Also I presume the loco is insured whilst on the road, but I should think the excess is pretty high! Is the transport company covered for things like this?

 

campainr: Maybe the answer to your thought about scrap merchants lies in the recent call for some sort of regulation of scrap merchants, and a "no cash" transaction policy by them ( ...and pigs might fly...).
This is in response to the theft of copper signalling cable on the National network, which is reaching epidemic proportions.
Someone buys the stuff from the thieves.

 

6023 had a brass safety valve bonnet on it this morning when I saw it in light steam at Dereham. Now whether it's the one that fell off, or a replacement I don't really know. A colleague of mine saw the loco passing through Kimberley Park station last night, apparently on a gauging run. Reverting to Dereham this morning, an LNER beavertail observation car was close by, ready for unloading from its road trailer.

 

Thank you for your responses to my original post. There have been some interesting and diverse replies!

6023 is now running with a bonnet borrowed from another locomotive and will appear at the head of its first public train at Dereham tomorrow as planned.

There has been considerable coverage in the local media so we are hoping that there might yet be a positive outcome

I would like to place on public record my thanks to the 6023 team member who undertook something like a 400 mile round trip on Tuesday evening to ensure that the King had a bonnet for its runs in Norfolk.

The important thing to repeat here is that if anyone finds out any information about the lost bonnet please would they get in touch with me or Didcot or the MNR.

Regards to all,

Bruce Murray

 

Maybe this would indicate that such fittings should ideally be removed during road transit in future, particularly on 4073/60xx class locomotives due to their height? As ususal this is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, but hindsight does mean that lessons can be learned from unfortunate incidents. I hope it is found soon. I wouldn't get your hopes up too much as regards the worth of the metal in question. A bronze statue of Brunel was stolen from Neyland Marina, and it was 'only' said to be worth £2,500 scrap value compared to its original cost of £30,000. In other words, there's a 'steal now think later' mentality out there.

 

Any luck yet?

 

Hi,

Unfortunately we have not had any positive responses to the media coverage. The local papers and radio did the loco really proud with what they put out and we are very grateful for all they help they gave. However, I guess that with every passing day the chances of recovering the bonnet diminish just that little bit more.

Regards to all,

Bruce Murray

 

Even with the spare bonnet 6023 looked and sounded great today. Good to be able to ride in the beavertail too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWpyUdjAnwE

 

Something that has occurred to me about this episode. How come a branch managed to knock the safety valve bonnet off, yet there has been no report of damage to the chimney or cab?

 

One person can easily pick up a bonnet - its more awkward than heavy! Chimneys and roofs are a little more solid. Suspect it didnt hae the full complement of screws in place. whats done is done tho, at least it hasnt stopped the loco running.