what should the nrm restore next?

Are you talking about "anything and everything", or just "the umpteenth steam engine of that type"?
The 4DD EMU is unique - is that something that the NRM can fund internally? Or partially fund, with the majority of finance coming from the HLF?

 

Surely the V2 is a prime candidate for restoration. It's probably the best suited loco for both main line & preserved line use. The main fund-raising effort would be required for the monobloc cylinder casting & its associated pattern. A casting of this size is within the realms of companies producing castings for the offshore & marine engineering sector.

Bob.

 

I'm talking about our collection - the 4DD isn't ours and thus we can't fund it. Neither in the current climate would we look to take it on either I'm afraid.

 

Although it is interesting what comes of a chat on a rail forum Mr C.....

 

Indeed James - and I would take this opportunity to raise the cause of TVR 28 once again! Folks, we don't need a lot to get her back in one piece, please even consider chucking us a fiver and you may see her in 2014....

 

SECR D class, LMS 2500 (jubilee on steroids), Q1. Would love to see 2500 on the SVR with 9 staniers trailing behind.

 

One thought has been forming in the back of my mind is that, whilst it is fine and dandy to name which ever of the Locomotives, carriages and wagons. Don't forget as a "National" State funded Museum they are "Charged" if you will, with preserving for posterity the items in their care. As are the exhibits in pretty well every other National State funded museum up and down the land, the likes of the Imperial War Museum [and it's outstations at the likes of Duxford], granted in both cases they have items that are in working/flying order and I for one am most pleased/thankful they do.......

Equally there are some engine that it is most unlikely that will ever run again as there are other examples up and down the country in working order both on and off the "mainline", i.e. Black 5 5000 [which did run for a time in the late seventies/eighties], BB/WC Winston Churchill. To name but two where multipule examples are in running order, Black 5s 5407, 5428 and 4871, BB/WC Tangmere, Manston and Braunton, to give 3 examples of each type which are all passed for use on the mainline too.

 

North Eastern Railway ES1 or M1 Class 4-4-0 1621.... I can dream. In the meantime at least can view them in glory statically preserved as opposed to hundreds of tiny parts

 

I rather fancy that ES1 wouldn't need too much doing to her, certainly by using a wagon containing suitable batteries coupled to her - but as she stands I suspect that safety considerations like exposed switchgear might be a stumbling block?

 

That's the problem with heritage electric traction, finding the "where and how" to run it. It's a pity that so little has been preserved and an even bigger pity that almost none of it gets to stretch its legs.

 

Very true. Sadly there's no easy solution; overhead wiring, certainly at lower voltages, is probably acceptable for heritage railway use, as we have trams in operation at various locations, but I can't see anyone being allowed to do a 3rd rail installation any time soon. I fancy it would be killed off (no pun intended) at the Risk Assessment stage.

 

Not ne

Not necessarily so, over the years with regards to the Bluebell restoring the Ardingly line it has been suggested that they restore it with the 3rd rail. And when reported in the rail press they have had a reply from the HMRI and the late Major Olver of old and the ORR/RAIB in more recent times to the effect, that the "powers that be" have no objection to a "Heritage/Volunteer run" Railway operating such lines,as long as they met the requirements of a] the Light Railway Order of old b] the more modern Transport & Works Order or what ever these days......

As for running ES1 with a hidden battery in a wagon, there is a presedent with the Harton Collery Locomotive on the North Tyneside Railway at Percy Main. As it has it's own battery wagon permanantly coupled. One way round the exposed electronics' on ES1 I wouldn't have a problem if a Perspex cover were fitted as a safety feature which would in turn allow people to still see it.

 

True, and the proposals for the Bluebell have been well documented over the years, but we seem to be getting ever more 'risk averse', and it's one thing talking about it, but quite another actually getting the 'signing off', which is the crux of the matter.

Yes, I remembered the running of the Harton engine at Percy Main on the battery wagon! Another candidate for a section of 'live wire', eh? As for the perspex covers, yes indeed, as long as the fabric of ES1 doesn't have to be damaged, I would think. How about magnets to hold the perspex in place? I'm sure it would have great interest for quite a few folk.

 

Can see even that being problematic on lines which also use steam traction as well, on account of the risk of striking a live wire with a fire iron.

Tom

 

Granted they could have magnets inset into a perspex cover, but people would still be able to remove the cover with all the H & S possibilities that entails. What I had in mind would a perspex lid if you will like a lid of a shoe [or any other type] box with a metal frame with 4-6 lugs with holes in which in turn would line up with 4-6 drilled and tapped holes around the electronics. Or if possible a similar number of existing holes/bolts. Ok if there were bolts around the electronics they could be replaced [and kept] with longer ones to accomodate the perspex cover, thus keeping any alterations to a minimum.

 

True enough. I must admit, I was thinking more of a dedicated line - trams on the brain! - but you're absolutely right. Another thing to consider. Hey ho!

Mark

 

Good idea

Mark

 

I can't remember where I read about this but I believe that a switchable (ie only live when a train is on the section) 750V 3rd rail system powered by static battery sets, in turn charged via a 230V domestic supply is feasible. I think the study was carried out by a battery company? The initial cost would be high (ie purchasing the battery sets), but some of the safety concerns and on going power costs would be minimized. The system would be designed to sustain 1 EMU at 25mph running on heritage type operations.

 

Was thinking about City of Truro or Duchess of Hamiliton to restore. A few wagons and carriages would be useful as well. Or maybe Hardwicke.

 

perhaps just one track on the part of the GCR that is double...

I'm in favour of "green Arrow" would love to see her in steam again, I have a very vague and distant memory of her on the GWSR in 2004 when I was 4, at cheltenham racecourse, probably still have a picture I took somewhere (yes, I had a camera when I was four, an old film camera ) would love to see City of Truro for the same reasons, have vague recollections of it, possibly the same day, that must have been a sight if it was plus it being is it the oldest GWR loco in existence? I know 2807 is the oldest GWR engine privately owned, do the NRM own any older than Truro?