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131 Steams again ...over 50 years later

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Reading General, Dec 16, 2014.

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  1. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    https://www.facebook.com/steamtrain...5053831893342/779882538743804/?type=1&theater

    Well done RPSI!
     
    Reading General, Dec 16, 2014
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  2. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Just looked up a few pics of it plinthed, is/was that tender authentic ?, no need to ask where the styling for it came from.
     
    david1984, Dec 16, 2014
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  3. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Yes it is, although I believe a new tank will be required.


    Keith
     
    ghost, Dec 16, 2014
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  4. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    next year it is possible that 3 GNR(I) 4-4-os will be steaming, with 171 being in the UK being overhauled at present and 85 now back in use... exciting prospect
     
    Reading General, Dec 16, 2014
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  5. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    A good reason to visit the Emerald Isle methinks.
     
    Spamcan81, Dec 16, 2014
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    Reading General likes this.
  6. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Has there been any further progress with the plan to return Dunluce Castle to working order?
     
    Spamcan81, Dec 16, 2014
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  7. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    That plan is a dead duck I'm afraid. The RPSI did some checking over of the loco a few years back, as a benefactor had offered to pay some or all of the restoration costs. The report showed that the loco is basically a basket case - new wheel centre(s) required, I think there was a reference to the cylinder block being suspect and the boiler was very poor. I think a new build U2 has more chance of steaming...!


    Keith
     
    ghost, Dec 16, 2014
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  8. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    That's a shame. A classic Midland 4-4-0 would have been a welcome addition to the main line scene.
     
    Spamcan81, Dec 16, 2014
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  9. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    I think that you're living in the past. There is only one obstacle nowadays to fixing anything on a loco, and that's MONEY. I believe it's been stated elsewhere that this inspection was very cursory, and it's quite possible imo that the loco is quite restorable.
     
    Reading General, Dec 16, 2014
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  10. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    No, I'm not living in the past thanks. I'm living in the real world.

    I would agree with you that money is the main obstacle to fixing any loco, but as I said, if the loco needs so many parts replacing that it is effectively a replica, then why not just build that replica and leave the original in the museum? I'm not sure where you've read that the inspection was cursory - any references I've seen have not alluded to that, and I'm sure if there was a chance of someone paying for an overhaul of 74, then the RPSI would've made sure the report was complete.

    If you are aware of railway preservation in Ireland (speaking on an all island basis here), you will also be aware that it receives nowhere near the amount of support that railway preservation on the mainland does, and by support I am including volunteers as well as money. Raising £100,000 for a loco overhaul by public/enthusiast appeal is basically not possible over here, that is why the RPSI and Downpatrick have applied for grants from Europe based schemes and have had to be creative about how they can extract funds from Councils and other grant giving bodies.


    Keith
     
    ghost, Dec 16, 2014
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  11. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    (Please don't call it the Mainland...)

    Noone knoas what condition it is in until it is stripped for inspection. It won't be any worse than a Barry wreck no doubt
     
    Reading General, Dec 16, 2014
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  12. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Despite being described as 'wrecks', most of the locos at Barry had good boilers, wheels and cylinders capable of re-use.
     
    Steve, Dec 16, 2014
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  13. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Just curious as to why I shouldn't call it the mainland? That's what it is...mainland UK

    It's true that no-one knows the full condition until the loco is stripped, but if the RPSI was able to spot a cracked wheel, a poor boiler and a dodgy cylinder block, then I'm not really sure that they need to strip the loco to decide if it's worth doing


    Keith
     
    ghost, Dec 16, 2014
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  14. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    "(speaking on an all island basis here)," that's why
     
    Reading General, Dec 16, 2014
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  15. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    Wot a bunch of Shirty buggers we are on here... rpsi arent on Craggy island - they are on the Mainland. Come on do we refer to the rest of Europe as the Mainland ?
    Hey ho
    We,re moves ever afoot to restore 4-6-0 Maeve ?
     
    class8mikado, Dec 16, 2014
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  16. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    well, by Ghosts definition, they aren't on the mainland (which he sees as GB)..... and speaking in all-island mode they are on the mainland of the island of Ireland. Oh and btw, yes some of us do refer to Europe as the mainland.
     
    Reading General, Dec 16, 2014
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  17. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Since I live in N.Ireland, on the island of Ireland, I think I can speak with some degree of credibility that we call GB the mainland. Whether you like it or not is up to you. I have never heard anyone refer to Ireland (North or South) as the mainland.

    And the answer regarding 800 is no - it's too heavy for all but the Dublin-Cork line and is therefore not a realistic prospect to return to steam.


    Keith
     
    ghost, Dec 16, 2014
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  18. pete12000

    pete12000 Member

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    Excellent news about 131's boiler steaming recently ! How far on is 171 by comparison ?
     
    pete12000, Dec 16, 2014
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  19. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    i don't want to labour this endlessly but you stated you were talking in an all-island sense and thus it would be incorrect to talk of GB as the mainland. If you were talking as a Northern Ireland resident, you could call it what you want.
     
    Reading General, Dec 16, 2014
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  20. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Oh don't be so ridiculous. You know very well what I was talking about when I talked about the heritage scene on an all-island basis and what is meant by the mainland. Do you think if I was talking to a Dubliner and said mainland that he would be confused???

    Sorry Pete - I could answer your question, but I'm abstaining from this thread now, just in case I upset RG by using a term he doesn't approve of.

    Keith
     
    ghost, Dec 16, 2014
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