what should the nrm restore next?

Long as it carried it in service, why not ?, among the Diesel enthusiasts, Blue seems to have taken over from Green as the "popular majority" colour, though fondness for things like Network South East & Intercity is on the rise, suppose it's them just wanting to see what they remember, someone will probably like Connex by 2020!

 

In any case, the role of the NRM is to illustrate railway history as it was, not to do what is popular with a certain community!

Given the paucity of vehicles in the collection that can accurately carry a more modern livery, I'd say it's a suitable choice.

Tom

 

Doesn't the NRM already have steam engines in black and green? If so, why more?

 

Is the question intended to allow the expression of fantasies of what we would like to see restored or is it to suggest what might realistically be the next project to be undertaken once those currently underway are completed?

 

The Rocket replica is already fitted with air brakes, so you already half way there. I must confess I agree with Anthony I want to see TVR 28 steam!!

 

Ah if we're doing this again..... North Stafford No.2! Not enough of it is as original to worry about conserving it as a true NSR loco as it got heavily modified in colliery days. Then again it is fairly well completely worn out so restoration as a genuine New L class might well be achievable at a similar cost as a straight overhaul to steam.

 

The 2-BIL and some third rail to run it on.

 

What about running it on the Lymington branch over a weekend?

What about overhauling LB&SCR A1 class Boxhill. Could be a very popular loco for smaller railways to hire in for galas.

 

The Secr D class would be magnificent to see in steam, failing that I'd love to see 33001 back in steam on the Bluebell.

 

Whilst we can all put the case for this or that engine, it will only happen if people put their hands in their pockets, the days of the NRM putting engines back into steam, or restoring anything using their own budget is over, even Winston Churchill's cosmetic makeover has had to be on the back of an appeal, so thats why i think that to be realistic you either charge an admission fee, or ask for sponsored money, but then, who wants to see an item of stock in the national collection carrying some companies logo on the side, Iwould love to see either the Adams,or the chatham D restored and in steam, but to do that, would need a workshop , with the engineeringcapability and skilled staff, i would bet that the D class, would be very popular and a fitting replacement for City of Truro, and in 1950's black would go very well with the T9, and would look at home at either the Bluebell, MHR, or at Bodmin, even if they didnt get that far west in service.

 

After a conversation today - how about the replication of a Sentinel Railcar, such as the LNER type ?

 

Or a 1st generation DMU

 

It is interesting to note that both Winston Churchill and the Taffy Tank are struggling to receive sufficient donations to allow their cosmetic restorations proceed. Not many willing hands going in pockets obviously!

I am sure Anthony will confirm that the NRM will continue to have a budget for restoring items in its collection as it always has. Without external support though it is doubtful that this will fund anything beyond restoration for static display.

 

I MEANT THE ORIGINAL!!!!!

Bet a Kylchap blast pipe and Caprotti gear would get it running nicer as well

 

you can only push the collecting box round so many times, people now probally dont have the spare money, and those that do, are hanging on to it.

 

But what would that achieve? We have the GW Railmotor at Didcot, & the Middleton's Sentinel shunter; all you're suggesting is basically a combination of the two. Now I'm not saying your idea isn't without merit, but but it's not really 'recreating a missing link', as it were, particularly in these financially stretched times. It all comes down to money.

I'd personally like to see the Midland Railmotor restored, a la the GW one, but I know that it's not likely to happen any time soon.

 

Doesn't Boxhill fall into the same issue as (4)5000 ?, with so many other class members, many of which are operational, what's the point ?.

Where is Boxhill at the moment anyway ? I've been to both York & Shildon the last 12 months and not sighted it.

 

Me, the died-in-the-wool small Southern locos fan would agree with you there. With ten Terriers preserved, and the possibility of at least 8 either running now, or potentially running in the future, it's nice to have at least one or two with as much genuine historic provenance preserved as possible. So even in fantasy "wouldn't it be nice" territory, Boxhill wouldn't be high up my NRM list ("hello Gladstone"

Incidentally, for fans of all things Terrier-ish, here's Boxhill running as a 2-4-0 in the early years of the last century (not my photo):
http://mikemorant.smugmug.com/Train...gines/23527315_cvMLpG#!i=2071206762&k=ZKHHJKq

Tom

 

Sorry for going off topic, but what was the reasoning for such a one off conversion ?, presumably it wasn't too successful given how long it lasted.

 

Quainton have got a Sentinel railcar, albeit the Eqyptian 3 car one.