61994 Great Marquess

Departing from Carnforth this morning - Zenfolio | TODAYS RAILWAY SCENE by Phil Metcalfe | Mainline Steam 2012 | 61994 passes through Carnforth on 18.9.12 heading for Crewe.

 

Great shot

 

Looking at UK steam it looks like she is now going to be the motive power for The Wensleydale Railway and Weardale Valley RTC excursions. I'm very glad that we get to see her on some more mainline runs this year!

 

Anyone know how much longer the K4 is certified until its next major examination is due for main line purposes please?

 

It was running in on the Churnet Valley Railway in early 2007. So it looks at one level as though it hasn't got very long. The boiler is quite lightly constructed in order to keep the weight down but it does return to Crewe each Winter and it is already inked in for next year's Fellsman. It hasn't had to do too much work and might still be in very good condition. I just hope that when the engine does need a heavy overhaul Mr. Cameron is still happy to continue to find the necessary funds.

 

She has become one of my favorite locomotives that your country has to offer. Here in the states many railfans would find it mind-boggling that a locomotive of her size and stature could be so powerful and efficient. What's not to like!
Definitely worth booking a seat on the Fellsman or Welsh Mountaineer tours with a good chance that 61994 shall be at the head of the train.

 

The K4 was a mechanical bag of nails after it was overhauled at Crewe, the motion knocked and banged and the piston/ valve packing's were always blowing.

The paint job was nice though!

 

Was refurbishment of the mechanical parts within the scope of the LNWR overhaul contract?

 

Big Weekend for the K4.

 

61994 moved to Crewe LE on Friday (although no mention of it on here or UKS!?) for her winter maintenance. Here are a few pics I took yesterday, including her Piston Valves being removed & the lining in the left one:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110558...ritageCentre040114?authuser=0&feat=directlink

 

Does anyone know where this boiler is from? It looks like a Bulleid

https://plus.google.com/photos/1105...5965201122478351090&oid=110558020682175210076

 

34059?

 

Thanks 5944, I knew her boiler went to Crewe a little while ago, but for some reason it didn't click that this one was it!

 

The MNR is delighted to announce that it has a limited number of places available for footplate experiences with K4 61994 on Mon 30th June and Tuesday 1st July. Please contact Dereham station for details.

 

Heard various rumblings that K4 has now been sidelined at the moors but seen nothing in writing. Firebox related im led to believe, but the future isn't sounding to bright sadly... Hopefully somebody is in the know to elaborate...

 

A recent piece in SR quoted Mr Cameron, the owner, as saying its future after this operational spell is undecided. Ticket up very soon?

 

Firebox problem. A repair seems unlikely at this stage in the locos 'ticket' but you never know. Let's hope that SR has got it wrong.

 

If Mr. Cameron doesn't want to put it through another overhaul I hope he'll offer the chance for someone else to take it on, after all, he only got it because someone else's custodianship came to an end. We have so few working Gresley locos, and having lost "Green Arrow" it would be a great shame to lose another when I feel sure that there are people out there who would be only too glad to take it on.

 

Agree totally, Mr Cameron might have the loco's best interests at heart but stuffing and mounting her along with Number 9 when he's gone would be such a crime in my view, these loco's would be better off with an owner who could; a)afford, and b) desire to run them on the mainline.