6023

So the guys and girls working on 6023 at the GCR would have been a worse bet?? Let me tell you now the people working on her are highly professional in their jobs and we can assure you that 6023 is in safe hands on our railway. We all want what is best for her. To be back to full health and in working order, and we all are all looking forward to seeing her roaring along the mainline in the not too distant future,

 

I think many heads would nod in agreement that the GCR is the railway to run in a main line loco, gradually, increasing the load as the miles clock up, not throwing it straight into seven coach revenue earning trains on a non steam based railway as before. I'm relieved the GWS council has put their foot down this time and not let the loco be shanghaied to the wrong place.
Many of us were aghast that the loco was spirited away after so few steamings at Didcot and before any snagging work could be identified and remedied.
Hopefully this will draw a line under events and take us back to where we were just over a year ago. Good luck to the guys completing the boiler work and final mainline accreditation. As with 5029 many years ago when it was a GWS loco, the GCR is the place to be for what 6023 now has to do.

 

The GCR may have a good bit of track but they don't exactly have the best reputation when it comes to boilers

 

Agreed, the GC know that there are other places where boilers can be done more efficiently and have sent boilers away on a regular basis, eg Cromwell to Crewe, 5305 to Tysley, 78019 to Crewe, 46521 to Crewe... Mind you they did an amazing job on Lamiel when post box slots had to be made in the top of the firebox and all the crown stays replaced.

What you have to be very clear about is that the engine is at Loughborough as LMS contract work, a contractor renting GC space, but not using paid GC fitters and staff. Any running of the engine on GC metals will be under a different arrangement and may not occur, although one would thing it would be a shame if it doesn't.

 

You seem to be presuming the GC are doing the boiler work??
A contract has already been seperately let for this.
The GC just happens to be the place where it will be done and once complete, the ideal place to run in and test it.

I think It's time I stopped posting on this issue and let those who wish to presume and speculate get on with it!

 

Also the GCR does offer the opportunity to run the loco at higher speeds than most preserved line well at least upto 40 mph if the loco is going to go main line this would be a advantage.
I would like to see it get the chance to do the TPO beofre it goes that would be something to see.

 

As far as I'm aware thought it was 60mph for testing, with the tpo's running at 35mph. I wish the team good luck at Loughborough and all the best.

Nice to have some positive news on her which makes me feel better. Also an excuse to pop up the M1.

Have to admit I thought something might of been happening as Howell's pannier is attending their gala.... 1 + 1 = a window and all that!

Also their website has been updated to - http://www.6023.co.uk/news/news.htm

 

Lots of groups work on their own locos at TYS. 5029 boys post regular pics of their efforts there, and 7820 and 7828 groups also seem to have regular working parties. Whilst Bob and his team can provide expertise when required, there doesn't seem to be a closed door policy with regards to allowing people to volunteer if they are so inclined. Didn't 9466 go there for OTMR fitment as well?

 

.. no post

 

As sche has said, the boiler work is being contracted to LMS, not the GCR and what assumption have you got to justify saying that the GCR got with boilers?? 6990/63601 ran through their boiler tickets without major problems as had 48305 when it first came into steam back in 1995 and is now having a third boiler overhaul at the GCR (2nd albeit one at Crewe). 47406 is a reliable locomotive and settled down nicely,and now we have 73156/45491 on the home straight now.

 

Not wanting to go to far off topic but the manors at TYS currently are 7802 (owned by the Erlestoke Manor Fund) and 7820 (owned by Dinmore Manor Locomtive Limited). Both groups have regular working parties there.

Stephen

 

Just to set you all straight. firstly this is not a post for people to slag off other railways competence, please leave your opinions to yourself as this isnt the place for it. The boiler work is being done by LMS services who are more than competant at what they do and not the G.C who would im sure also be competant of doing any boiler work. The loco will be doing some running in at the G.C to prove the boiler work that has taken place and not the loco as far as the mechanicle side as this was acheived at the mid-norfolk. The running in will take place when the boiler work has finished and got her annual tickets in place. As far as Tyseley this has not been confirmed but im sure will happen for the mainline running. The loco will be looked after by the 6023 and DRC team while at the G.C and Tyseley.

 

All

Having read the article in Heritage rail today there are many other reason why it is now at the great central they also suggested the the loco could be operational for next weekend is this true would make me go to the event for certain.

 

The loco will not be running for next weekend.

 

What?? HR have got it wrong? Surely not

 

I'm putting my money on the winter gala in January as a gesture of good will to the GCR.

 

I am assuming not many other have seen the article as it was shocking if true

 

Yes completely agree.