46235 City of Birmingham

In answer to David1984 - see MarkinDurham's post above. Yes 4073 was restored in the 50s/60s, but then there are two things to bear in mind - one, it was restored by the artisans of Swindon works, which whilst indistinguishable from a top notch preservation effort makes it special as an almost unique example of their craftsmanship, and two it hasn't been steamed since.

Lplus - again, see MarkinDurham's comment below yours. To be a pedant, Cheltenham is one of three. I was surprised it was ok'd for overhaul and operation considering this, personally.

 

Cheltenham had been steamed in preservation though - there's a big difference relative to say Lode Star, Caerphilly Castle, Gladstone etc. So I'm with MarkinDurham here.

Tom

 

I do agree basically. However, Cheltenham had had a very "light" overhaul for Rainhill, and there are two others out there. That would be the main point for me - by having two out there, the one in the museum, almost regardless of its preservation history, becomes a compelling candidate for permanent display.

 

That had me bursting out laughing I must admit.

 

my bad - forgot there are 3 V class.

 

*groans*

But good pun

Mark

 

Hello,

I'm going off the subject a little, but it's related to 'Duchesses'.

I was having a conversation with my Dad the other day and as a young trainspotter, he used to call a Duchess a 'Semi'. He didn't know why they were nickname that. Does anyone know?

Kind regards,

Mookie.

 

Semi as in semi-streamlined - it referred to the ones that were originally streamlined, which had smokeboxes that sloped down at the front to fit under the carapace. When the streamlining was removed, the smokeboxes with the sloping tops were retained, so those locos were distinctive.

Compare the smokeboxes of:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Duchess_of_Hamilton_-_2006-05-06.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...acific_geograph-2709830-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg

(Not my photos)

That's my understanding, anyway.

Tom

 

Thanks Tom,

that makes sense.

regards,

Mookie.

 

At the recent Tyseley open day I saw the solution to getting City of Birmingham out of the Thinktank.

Cadbury No. 1

http://www.gwsr.com/news/features/h...tiny-tank-locomotive-that-started-it-all.aspx

She was sitting outside on a turntable road, looking a bit the worse for wear. Cosmetically restore her, and get a Cadbury's box van and a brake van (maybe even get some sponsorship from the chocolate company), and release 46235 to be restored at Tyseley. The locomotive obviously has a strong Birmingham link (stronger than a locomotive that happens to be named after the city anyway), will be more engaging for younger people due to the chocolate connection, and it isn't really a locomotive that could be put to better use as industrial tanks are 10 a penny.

What do people think?

 

I think you are nuts,
"Cadburys take them and they cover them in chocolate."

The Melter

 

I'd say Cadbury No.1 is of more use to a preserved line than a Duchess. Being pedantic, it's also not a 10 a penny industrial - it is unique!

 

Industrial disrepect aside its not a bad idea. I dont get all this being precious about being in original BR restored condition, didnt stop two A4's getting a good Makeover recently and they are much more inspirational exhibits as they are now...

 

...a matter of personal opinion - anything given a slap of paint will look shiny and new within a relatively short period of time, but true patina, fading and signs of age aren't available out of a tin.

Ultimately what happens to an individual's, or organisation's property is their concern and no business of anybody else. Owners can choose to cosmetically restore (ie. repaint), place in museum buildings, overhaul to operation, leave parked in a locked shed, or even cut up and sell for scrap their own possessions - it isn't the concern or business of anybody else. If the owner makes it clear they are quite happy with their current decision and have no plans to alter that, then whining and moaning is going to achieve absolutely nothing - and neither should it.

 

What about 46235's owners, do they have a say in the matter?

 

No at all,
only the armchair mafia are allowed an opinion on this and so many other issues,

The Melter

 

If the owners have integrity and are doing what they are for the right reasons,
no cheque of any size should sway them.
if it could sway them they are the wrong people in charge,

The Melter