what should the nrm restore next?

The Dean Goods No.2516 is six years older than 'Truro. If you include locos from GWR constituent companies then No.1863 SHANNON appears to be the oldest ex GWR standard gauge loco in the national collection.

 

Speaking of this, what happened to the plan to restore it announced by the GWS a couple of years ago? At that time they were optimistic the boiler repair might be done for about 25p but all has gone quiet.

 

ISTR reading that after initial investigation the boiler/firebox of Shannon were deemed of significant historical interest due to material used/construction(?) so restoration would be either too expensive (using original method) or would ruin the historical fabric of the loco.

 

Ignore the glamour locos for once. Just to work on the demo line with a few wagons; the North Staffs battery loco BEL2. In a similar vein, "Wren" or Pet". Seeing any of those locos in action might well draw extra visitors. They also would presumably cost a great deal less to be restored to operational status than larger mainline locos.

 

How about the T3?

 

How about TVR 28 and the 4VEP car...?

 

Not glamorous and not popular, but with appropriate charging stations possibly quite practical for both of the NRM's demonstration lines...

...I'd still quite fancy seeing a fireless loco in operation.

 

Now that would be an idea restoring a "fireless" steam loco to running order. I recall that the Guys at Quainton restored one to running order back in the eighties, using "normal" steam loco to supply the steam necessary to "charge up" their fireless. Equally I seem to recall that Steamtown as was back then also overhauled a couple for BNFL [I think] or at least a large industrial outfit for further industrail use. So if they were to use a steam heating plant to heat either York or Shildon, they'd possibly "kill two birds with one stone" so to speak heating the museums and the necessary steam for the loco......

 

It's strange how they are so quiet with the occasional 'chuff'

 

How about a Scammel Mechanical Horse or the later Scarab? Once a common sight at all the main railway stations it would be great to see an authentic 'land train' maybe scurrying around York.

 

I do have a soft spot for Imperial No.1, and I must admit Mr Cooper, the thought of a "green" shunter at Shildon crossed my mind long ago...

As for the Scammells, years ago we ran "Railways and Roads" events at York, and for one of them ,we got a gathering of Mechanical horses on platform 4 at York station. You'd never do that today...

 

Agghhh! - Surely Mr Coulls you of all people aren't going to be guilty of raising a bloomin' livery debate before the blessed thing has even started being restored to working order?!!
(although I agree, the lined dark green does sit on it quite nicely! )

 

Now that's an engine I would love to have a go on...being on a heritage railway salary though, I fear I will have to wait for someone more wealthy than I to think the same!

 

Arent shunters at Shildon Black if steam, green only if diesel?

 

Interesting October last year [2012] there was a green former ICI steam of sorts [a fireless] shunter when I visited to see Eisenhower and Canada.

 

That's Imperial No.1, a 1956 built Barclay fireless loco from a Gravesend Paper Mill

 

So that means it's not a green "steam" shunter, based at Shildon? Seriously your quite right all I was highlighting is that there is a green steam shunter at Shildon.

 

I'd like to see the Midland Compound or Lode Star operational. More feasible though is City of Truro which would also make me very happy too.

 

there is only one engine at york that is crying out for a return to operational condition . 35029

 

There are several problems with regards to 35029; needs a completely new boiler as current one is cut open, a new cylinder which like wise is cut open and there are several more "out there" that need restoring to.What's more with one possible exception the powers that be at York are most reluctant to restore one of their engines to running order if there are others of the type out there already in running order. The possible exception being 6229 Duchess of Hamilton now the"Bathtub" streamlining has been restored making her different to Duchess of Sutherland.