925 Cheltenham going main line?

That doesnt mean its going mainline just because low level fillers are being fitted. Most locos on the SVR have low level fillers to aid prepping and space and time around an MPD. At Bridgnorth we have 1 column on the back half of the yard and having a low level pump powered hose helps no end when prepping as you can pop the hose on a add 1000 gallon while oiling up.

 

Whatever the reason, it's nice to think that we might once again see a Schools on the main line.

 

As usual, 30926's spell of running up to 45mph between Grosmont and Battersby doesn't seem to count as mainline.........

 

Even you must admit that the Esk Valley line isn't a 'mainline' by any sensible definition. It is and always was a branch line. Doesn't stop it being an enjoyable and exciting run, though. 45mph on some challenging gradients.........

 

True Steve - but it is as "mainline" as Fort William to Mallaig, which doesn't stop that being a very interesting run for steam either (probably one that carries the 2nd highest number of passengers of any steam service on Network Rail)!

Not that I would recommend trying a Schools on "The Jacobite"!

Indeed, the problem I foresee with 925 going mainline is that it isn't really going to be let loose on load 12, which is what most mainline specials are these days unless limited by the need to climb hills. A Schools in the right hands and with a good tyre profile any everything else in its favour isn't afraid of hills, but I do foresee 925 being quite limited as to trains it can haul. Before TPWS and OTMR, this wasn't a great problem - I am sure that the Mid-Hants would have the work done to MT276 anyway - most major railways work generally to that standard. However, £40k worth of electonic wizardry needs a chance of regular use to make it worth fitting. That is quite apart from presumably the Mid-Hants is paying for the overhaul and presumably is doing so principally with the aim of using 925 on its own services.

That said, the reaction of at least one Moors driver when he heard we were buying 76079 was "can we transfer the OTMR to 30926 and have a go on the ECML with it" - I would strerss this was never anyone else's suggestion and the OTMR is still on 76079!

Steven

 

Don't know about the first, but second - yes, all changes/mods have come through us for approval/rejection. It is a working locomotive and to make it fit for 21st Century use, we have to be adaptable and it can be a safety matter on heritage railways too - there are railways and sites that do not have water cranes, but have hydrants - Locomotion being one of them.

 

Be lovely to see it on the main line.

My only two main line runs behind a Schools Class were in Kent when I was a very young Yeti.

4th June 1960 with 30921 and 4th Jan 1961with 30934. Neither run logged.

I even missed a run behind 30926 when she was last at the Mid Hants.

I do have an OK photo of 30925 when she was on the main line.



Schools Class 4-4-0 30925 on an the 08.30 Plymouth to Waterloo train on 2nd September 1962. The train had a 94 minute non stop schedule from Salisbury to Waterloo, and was estimated to be travelling at around 75 mph. Photo taken between Milepost 31 and Pirbight Junction

And so as not to leave 30926 out of this!



Schools Class 4-4-0 30926 approaching East Croydon on what is possibly the 07.35 ex Brighton, (via Oxted at 09.11), in winter 1961/62.

 

You are right. A Schools Class is not afraid of the hills!

I've watched, and indeed have at least one photo of a Schools taking a 14 coach train over the switchback graded Redhill-Guildford line in the early 1960s. Lovely watching them storming the grade out of Redhill.

 

45379 has them for instance which isn't going mainline. Low level fillers are safer in the winter when tender steps/ladders and tops are covered in ice and assists prep in general. No doubt the experience gained in having the low level fillers on the mainline locos have shown they're worth having on others during overhaul.

 

I presume that the NRM has some water cranes in storage... perhaps with a spot of money they could be put to good use.

 

Money...? Whassat?

 

I did raise this with Smiffy (we are old friends) when the news about 925 first broke , mostly because i dont expect 850 to return to the mainline, and the official stance is that there are no plans to run mainline with 925 , but my view is this, in a couple of years time ,once 850 has been withdrawn , there is going to be a set of tpws and all the other stuff going spare , she wont need it, so why cant it go onto another loco, doesnt have to be 925, it could be any NRM loco , what does that reduce to cost too? and would it make any future plan to mainline an NRM engine viable? also has anyone come up with a plug and play tpws yet? with the wiring in place but just needing the boxes

 

I'm led to believe that 925 isn't going main line. Unless there’s been a change of mind in the last few weeks. I’m sure Smiffy will post on here soon.

 

I'm happy to confirm that.

 

Well that’s that story squashed then. Back to reality now.

 

I feared so

 

Oh, what a pity.

Not going to see this sight again then. And so near to the Mid Hants.

30925 on the 17.00 Waterloo to Salisbury train between Pirbight Junction and Milepost 31 on 25th August 1962. The loco was possibly deputising for a Bulleid, and was going well, climbing to the MP 31 summit at a speed estimated to be in the upper 50s. Photo taken from a favourite overbridge that today serves the Pirbight army camp.