Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

34051 was still in the wheel drop shed today behind 76017 and the tender is still in the paint shop.

 

Hi all, finally got round to signing up to the forum, you really would'nt believe how long it took me to read all 135 pages on this Bullied thread..... very enjoyable though. I signed up mainly for this thread as i am a big Bullied fan which stems from dad being a fireman on them at Eastleigh.

All interesting stuff on here but i have a few questions, while its come up a few times on here theres not been much mentioned of the NRMs Q1, im aware it has steamed in preservation but ive never seen it (in steam) but i did see it just recently at York on my way up to Shildon to see the A4s, it looks in reasonable condition, does anyone know exactly what kind of condition it is in and how easily it could be steamed, it would seem to be an ideal candidate for the MHR to do given the overhaul they've done on the Schools and work on 'Lord Nelson'?

Im also curious about Bullied nameplates and smokebox numberplates (particuly the light pacifics), is there a list anywhere of what survives? Im assuming probably all the nameplates survived even if its not known where they are, but what about the smokebox numberplates? Did they all survive, again is there a list, and what are the numberplates worth these days?

Hope to get some replies, thanks.

 

I would have thought a big "Bullied" fan would know the great man's name is spelt Bulleid.
Welcome to the forum and welcome to the thread.

 

lol, guilty as charged, its not the first time ive made that mistake and i know for a fact it won't be the last!

 

She was one of my favourites down at the Bluebell when I was a kid

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pics/q1.html

 

A bit of Bulleid action from the MHR today!

 

34016 in happier times, here's a slide scan from a photo charter we had with her back in the Autumn of 2000.

 

Err, you what?................................... I don't have photoshop (wouldn't know how to use it!)

Trust me the clag is EXACTLY whats already in the image!!

 

Nice photo Dave. I only seems like yesterday when 34016 was going up and down the line. Looking forward to seeing 34058 Sir Frederick Pile running up and down the MHR.

 

I believe the NRM did discuss restoring the Q1 at Ropley with the MHR, but with 76017, 41312 506 499 34105 and 75079 all in the works or waitng in the queue, not to mention 35005 at Eastleigh, I personally think the right decision was taken not to pursue this avenue just at the moment!

 

.....and not to mention 34058 and 80150 in the longer term!

 

With the workload already on the books of Ropley. Maybe the NRM might take the view of what they did with 925 "Cheltenham" once CanPac is finished?
Could the NRM investigate either Swanage or a return to the Bluebell?

 

Why would the NRM want to move 925 from the MHR? In the first place that wasn't the agreement when we sponsored the overhaul, and in the second place so far they are more than happy with how we are looking after her. She is available for visits to other lines when we can release her, and with the agreement of the NRM. The number of other locos we may or may not have is irrelevant.

 

Reference the photo charter with 34016.....

I have strong memories of that day, if it is the one I think it is, as I was the fireman. You photographers worked us mercilessly , with the result that at lunchtime we had to go and refill the tender with coal! I think I counted 14 run pasts at Wanders curve alone, each with a reversal back up the 1:60, and steam on coming down (per the photo).

During the afternoon there was no let up. We then took everyone back to Alton (I drove to get a break from the shovelling as I was pretty knackered by then) had a massive slip in the cutting below Medstead, at which point I discovered the sandboxes were empty as well! As a result I pumped the regulator continuously all the way to Medstead, and was more knackered I think than if I had fired!

By the time we'd taken the stock to Alresford and run light engine to Ropley, there was not even a shovel full of slack left in the tender, it was literally swept clean. We reckoned we'd used about 7.5 tons, so I slept quite well that night.

Despite the fact I don't really like Bulleid pacifics, 34016 is probably my favourite engine of all. Memories like the above, and also having her for my driver's exam, probably make it so. Really going to miss her, and all we got as a consolation is 007 and Can Pac, neither of which are a patch on Bodmin. I am hoping 34058 might make up for the disappointment in a few years time.

 

hence the title of the thread - Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

 

I think Southernman99 is suggesting that the NRM might approach Swanage or the Bluebell about restoring the Q1, not adopting 925. As I understand it, though, it doesn't work like that. The NRM will discuss well-thought-out and well-funded proposals from outside groups to restore and operate suitable National Collection locos, but it's very rare for them to start the process themselves. If BB or Swanage, or a group based on those railways, have a serious proposal for C1, then I'm sure they'll get a hearing at York. It's one of the most suitable locos in the collection for steaming, especially since it's been done before and so is not in "as withdrawn" condition.

 

I've re-read it twice and I think maybe Southernman99 was saying both things. Perhaps he'll clarify for us?

I think you're correct that normally it isn't the NRM that approaches the railway, though they will when they feel they need to reassign the custodianship as happens from time to time for one reason or another.