New builds - how many will ever really work?

Cox had some strange ideas about some things. His Locomotive Panorama books were a pretty good overview of the locomotives he discussed in those volumes, but not perfect. He understood modern locomotive design more than most, but he still had his prejudices.

He particularly didn't like Bulleid and his designs, which apparently originates from the fact that he applied for the job of Gresley's assistant and lost out to Bulleid. Also he had a pathalogical dislike of double chimneys for some strange reason. He made sure the Britannias never had them, and tried very hard to prevent all the A4's from being fitted with them.

The point about the volume of steam in the superheater/delivery circuit has more weight than the wheel size, which surely should have the opposite effect. Also the Duchesses had a larger regulator valve than the Lizzies, and was more difficult to shut during a slip. Actually some drivers on the west coast main line were so wary of them that they mostly operated them on first valve.

 

Sorry to be an utter pedant and latch onto a tiny comment in a two day old post, but the SVR operates a more intensive timetable and longer trains than the GCR practically every weekend

 

It also has a bit more in the way of gradients. Still pretty flat, though. :hat:

 

"The 3MT is a superb, "practical" machine for the SVR, but will not be wholly suited or practical for longer trains and more intensive timetables on, say, the Great Central Railway (hence why it's being built at the SVR, a line for which it is very much suited)".

82045 is certainly wholly suitable for the SVR but that is not the reason it is being built there. The project needed a home when it came from South Devon(The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust : Help build the next BR Class 3MT tank loco.) and the SVR offered one. The intention is that the new loco will be available for use on other Heritage Railways (at the Trust`s and SVR`s discretion).

 

Fair enough Jamie, happy to be corrected!

I appear to have inferred something that wasn't there. Not my intention, but my apologies in any event for the inference on my part.

 

Yeah, the SVR tends to run longer trains than the GCR, and has steeper gradients. The GCR tends to operate a more intensive service in terms of tph, especially on gala days.

 

On gala days the GCR is unbeatable for TPH, and that is only going to get better with Swithland Box in service. My post was in no way meant to denigrate the GCR - it is different, not inferior, to the SVR.

 

Time just seems to be encouraging them...
Southern L1 Locomotive Group - Home

 

Well, looking for the silver lining behind the cloud, the webpage does make clear that the project is not officially launched and is merely currently trying to assess feasibility, raise awareness and gather followers/interested parties etc. The question of course is whether the people involved have the necessary knowledge and skills to do such. It also says that they are not taking donations at the present time and will not do so until it is officially launched.

So, in fairness, they are learning...

 

yes we are learning and we are planning on doing this properly and make sure it was clear that the group is not officially launched.

 

Good for you, keep the dream alive. I'm old enough to remember all the knockers that said most of the Barry wrecks would never be rebuilt and money should not be wasted on piles of scrap laying around everywhere. I even recall those that said Tornado should not be built as it was a waste of time and money. In the early days of preservation the overwhelming majority thought the people trying to re-open the likes of the Bluebell, MHR, KWVR, NYMR etc etc were a bunch of dreaming nutters, idiots, or just plain old anoraks who could not get a life.

I am also old enough to remember the fine L1's running on a daily basis along with the E1's and D1's. They were loved by Enginemen and were maids of all work. Would be a fine addition to the likes of the MHR or Bluebell, or even K&ESR. The point is that people to weak to follow their own dreams will always find a way to discourage yours.

Good luck with the project, don't give up.

 

Hmm what happened to the donations for the J39, LNER L1, GER Claud that preceded the Southern L1? (if there were any).

 

you would need to ask the groups as they are nothing to do with the Southern L1 group

 

GER Claud Is still running strong, We are currently focusing on local support, just last weekend we held a stand at a local railway event.

So far the money that has been raised has gone to the drawings for the first sections of the build.

Again we stress that we are not related to the other groups.

We are soon to make an update on the news page of our website.

 

sounds good, keep up the good work

 

Even though you have been part of every Facebook started New build group except the GER claud? Surely you should know a little something about the groups you set up?

sounds good! This is one group I do praise that hasn't actually started to build yet!
Hope to see how it goes!
Matt

 

I know the people behind the LNER L1 and they did not have any donations as they were not accepting them and made that quite clear at all times. All the drawings that were obtained and the website were funded by themselves.

They were not involved with the other new groups.

 

is there anyone out there willing to help me run this group/idea ?

 

Think the question is, this time, is there anyone willing to take this idea seriously, or should they support your next one instead... or one of your previous ones...

 

Please do not try to disassociate yourself from your previous 'projects' - it just makes you look even more foolish

Based on your previous 'projects' I would say that the answer will be a resounding NO!!

It's interesting to note that you are appealing for help as the 'project' team appears to be only yourself, and your poll on Facebook 'Would you like to see a southern L1 on today's railways ?' has attracted 7 positive votes but (are you listening??) 9 NO votes - yet you say yourself that '... we are going ahead with the idea now and now doing research and feasibility studies' - a project that has no help and that no-one wants and yet you're still going ahead with it - that's a very interesting way to make decisions and organise a group!

Seems like this idea will be as successful as the last few you've been involved with...


Keith