MET NO 1 NOW RUNNING ON SEVERN VALLEY

Metropolitan railway No 1 is now running in on the Severn Valley Railway following its overhaul and preliminary tests at the Avon Valley Railway. Pictures are now being posted at The complete steam news magazine Heritage Railway Magazine

 

I imagine pictures are being posted in other places as well, places that don't employ spam techniques to try and sell their magazine!

 

This event has been subject to the upmost secrecy. Even in house SVR staff have been sworn to secrecy. I hope this is not just some ploy to get the mag sold. And has been authorised through the proper channels.

 

This news was reported several days ago in the LU150 thread in What's Going On, when No. 1 left Bitton. Neither the lorry driver nor our correspondant in Bristol knew it was subject to any embargo. I see the caption on the HR photo implies that the tests are complete now, and were successful, so perhaps there's no further need for secrecy? Who knows?

When's the next issue of Steam Railway due out? Next week, IIRC. Expect more spoilers from HR in the next few days...

 

I cannot understand the continued animosity towards Heritage Railway and its editor on here. The guy has posted a link to some pictures and is obviously and legitimately trying to increase his publication's circulation figures by spreading the word the damn thing works again. So what? You don't have to buy it if you so wish. Get over it.

 

Yes, the idea was to publicise after the loco had left the SVR, we don't want to be inundated with people trying to get a look whilst these 'top secret' tests were/are taking place. The loco was not/is not going to be used on public passenger trains during its stay, and times of test runs and where they were/are taking place are also not in the public eye (they're not even within the reach of the majority of volunteers), all at the request of those organising the LT150 celebrations next year.
Judging by the photographer who had submitted the picture to HR, the Heritage Operations Manager for TFL, then I presume the all clear has been given to Robin Jones to get a little extra publicity, which is fine.

 

It used to be the same when Steam Railway's former editor used to post on the forum. He used to be subjected to abject and often personal criticism whenever he posted here. Result? He refused to post and we lost another well known figure from the forum. Some members seem to object to anyone associated with the railway press and to be honest it is getting a little tiring. These magazines shift in excess of 30,000 issues a month generating huge publicity for the steam industry. This also indicates that a large, if not majority of us enthusiasts purchase them and they have supported the movement very well over the years. So what if Mr Jones wants to post links, you don't have to click on it, just as you don't have to buy the magazine!
I for one am very glad to hear that MET 1 is running again, along with loco 9466 it is the loco that introduced me to steam as a child many years ago at Quainton. I'm not sure I understand the secrecy, locos are large obvious things which emits clouds of conspicuous steam, someone somewhere will notice it down the valley! Many thanks for the update on it's successful return.

 

Well all I can say is that I hope she pays a return visit during the life of her new boiler ticket!

 

I recall MET 1 operating on the Llangollen Railway and she made a fine sight. Perhaps SVR can be charmed into running a Branch Line Gala with the less famouus but equally valuable small engines such as the 14XX / Panniers / Austerities etc and include MET 1 on the guest list.

 

I remember Met 1 on the Llangollen too, looked quite at home really!

I agree, a small engine gala would be nice on the Valley, but in a sense the SVR is a victim of its own success as its galas are so big and busy 7-coach trains pulled by Class 4s+ is necessary.

 

To be fair, even if it haden't been in a mag, it's rather hard to hide a train on a 16 mile railway with numerous public vantage points.

 

Are you certain? As a member of the public I've just checked the loco roster for tomorrow.
Just below was a note for Tuesday: ''Charter - Met Tank N. 1''. <BJ>

 

"Upmost secrecy" - I suppose running it on the 2nd most popular steam railway in the country was an ideal place to start...

 

For the sake of good English the Panda asked me to refer a number of posters to this Don't Confuse "Utmost" with "Upmost"

 

Not any more, it left Bridgnorth by lorry today...

 

Now you're in trouble. That was supposed to be a secret. <BJ>

 

Uh oh...

Will I be in trouble if I post a picture of it in action last Thursday too?

Enjoy
Tom

 

Isn't it yet to be lined out?

 

There are few new details in the Steam Railway report (issue 409 hit my doormat this morning). The loco has now moved to one of London Underground's depots where final painting and fettling will be carried out. The SVR tests involved 50mph running, which probably explains the greater secrecy than normal. The newly-restored Met coach, No. 353, has also been tested at 50 mph on the GCR (coaches attract less attention than locos) and has since moved to Acton. SR reports that there will be a proving run overnight on 15/16 Dec and a full rehearsal overnight on 9/10 Jan.

Dates have been set for Steam on the Met, 25-27 May, but no further details yet.

 

Im a bit disappointed, Its red. with the amount of 'secrecy' I was hoping for matt black, or maybe dazzle camoflage. I cant quite make out of the footplate crew have got those funny black strips over their eyes that the SAS wear either!:dance:

On a more serious note- good to see it back in action, I saw it when I was very young at Quainton I think static and cold so I will endeavor to see it on this ticket!

Chris