'Super D' 49395

After it's failure at the Lancs, does anyone know what the future holds for the loco ?, if it has as little left on it's ticket as I've heard, I'd be surprised if it's not taken out of traffic early.

Is an overhaul or static display likely ?, after the ££££ spent to get it active, I'd hope it's not in too bad condition, but even so, the NRM isn't exactly flush with cash currently and Pete Waterman seems to have stepped back from involvement in such things at the present time.

 

What ails her?

 

A small tube failed on Saturday.

 

No major drama then, depending on the condition of the rest of the loco.

 

It was stated in one of the magazines a couple of months ago that it needed 200k spent on it. Figure came from PW.
It also stated where, but I cannot remember.

 

In Steam Railway last autumn Peter Waterman was quoted as saying that he would like to see the Super D have a second term in use. He had been discussing the matter with Steve Davis but hadn't spoken with the NRM since the change of management. He said that if given the go ahead his team felt that they could improve the loco further, particularly the valve gear restoration.

 

The latest Beano has just dropped through the letterbox, and the cover proclaims "Waterman to overhaul NRM gem after boiler failure". The report (p14) says PW has agreed with Paul Kirkman to overhaul the loco in return for another 10 years custody. Having spent £600k-£700k on the first overhaul, he thinks it would be a shame to put it back in the museum for the want of a fraction of that sum. The details have yet to be confirmed and nothing has been signed yet, but PW seems happy to go public. He reckons the boiler work will be fairly straight forward (as much as these things ever are!) but the mechanicals will be a major job: "...the motion and the boxes are bad." The loco will remain on the ELR in the short term.

 

Excellent news. Only saw it in steam once during this ticket - a photo charter at the GC - so a new ticket will hopefully give me a chance to ride behind her. Just a matter of being patient and waiting for the overhaul.

 

Maybe in LNWR guise next ?

 

Good news that Pete wants some more life out of it having spent such a huge chunk first time round, didn't I read further up the thread that the LNWR was gone shortly after it was outshopped ?, LMS might be more appropriate then, assuming Pete doesn't want to keep it's BR guise.

Edit: reading the post on page 2 it seems it's had a number of detail changes in LMS days, the biggest being the belpaire firebox in place of a round topped version, so not really in correct condition for LNWR livery, while some would do it regardless, I doubt the NRM would be keen on an inauthentic look.

 

Time to open the can of worms again - "inauthentic" isn't troubling them as far as 4472 is concerned.

 

Thanks

Nrm and inauthentic looks? Scotsman........ haha


Great news to hear she will be overhauled. Every time I see the loco it always seems to have Steve Lathem keeping his eye on her so im presuming it will go to crewe once the time is right.

 

I knew that was coming seems the general rule to thumb goes out the window where 4472 is concerned.

 

Good to hear that the Super D is to get an overhaul. Have seen this engine on a number of heritage railways, Llangollen, East Lancs & K&WVR to name a few off the top of my head.

 

Oh lordy me, time for me to get some more done on the "why we do what we do" article methinks... Once again, we have NO rule of thumb, each individiual item is taken on its merits.

 

I was reading a piece in an aeroplane mag the other day where one of the guys from IWM Duxford was talking about restoration and conservation, how they differ and where they are appropriate. Preservation is perhaps too broad brushh a term to be useful.

 

Good, look froward to seeing Coppernob in lined BR black with later totem, Anthony....

 

But wasn't Coppernob a passenger loco? Shouldn't that be lined BR green? Oh, sorry, I forgot, we shouldn't mention liveries.

 

Well you can't have Furness livery while sporting the shrapnel damage