47298 for sale

The latest Steam Railway contained the news that 47298 is for sale. It'll be interesting to see where it ends up. I'd have thought that both Embsay and the Ecclesbourne Valley would be interested in it; you'd also think Peak Rail ought to be, but of course it will probably depend on which line has a supporter with the deepest pockets - Churnet Valley perhaps?

 

Well the CVR would make good use of it....as they cant seem to hire in enough locos for their summer timetable.....

 

Would look good at Midsomer Norton too .

 

Since it supposedly pays its way doing Thomas duties, I would've thought it would be bought as a business interest rather than a member of the day to day steam fleet...

 

How long left on its ticket?

 

Well they need more than the S160 to run their railway. And if they want to get into the big league, which they have a fair way to go yet, then they,ll need to increase the amount of locos they have. They wont be able to hire in all the time, thats if they can find loco owners who are willing for their locos to go to the CVR/MCR

 

Almost 8 years

 

The NNR could do with another tank engine because 56xx can't run all the time and whissington can't pull much!

 

It wouldn't be too far out of place on Epping Ongar either.

 

Any idea on price?

 

It would look good on the Avon Valley Railway.

 

There's any number of places where it would look good, but as I said at the start, it will come down to whoever has the deepest pockets. I thought the NNR might be one of the favourites as the they tried to do a deal for the unrestored derelict at Butterley a few years ago, but as they're having the influx of 76084 and 44767 the tank may seem a bit small now, likewise for the Churnet Valley. It would be nice to see it go to Midsomer Norton, but I doubt if they have the financial base. Market Bosworth must be a possibiity though.

 

I was wondering if the Kent & East Sussex might have been interested, thinking ahead to the Rother Valley extension, which would take them up to 13-14 miles - too long (so I am told) for Austerities to be the ideal motive power. However, Railway Mag dropped through my letterbox this morning with an "exclusive" on the possible sale of 6619 instead. I guess that in view of 6619 having paid two earlier visits to the line, this is no great surprise, but 47298 would have been a nice engine to use on the line. The K&ESR had 47279 from the K&WVR on hire in 1997, and 47493 from the Spa Valley also visited a couple of years ago.

 

It would look good in my back garden (since were playing our favourite places for it)

 

I think it would be perfect for the NNR, 3F power classification would surely be fine for their standard 5 coach trains. Be good for the NNR to own another loco as well surely, rather than having locos on long term loan.

 

given the general shortage of motive power, it'd generally be useful at most places!

 

Going off pics on Facebook, would appear she has worked her last turn both at Llan and under the ownership of Huw Parker. She is now to move on for a new adventure under new ownership.

 

Didn't see that coming, Ian getting his hands on a Jinty given his core jobs seem to be contract overhauls and main line sorties with Black Fives, though the "paint it black" philopsophy is particularly welcome here