48624

That's the down side of any project that takes many years to reach fruition, you lose good mates along the way. No matter what the colour, the loco will be their memorial.

 

"Until very recently we still intended to finish the engine in black for its May debut." See, I was right all along! Regardless of finished colour, the great day when the 8F restoration team sees their loco run again will very soon be here and they will be able to take great pride in what they have done. I hope to get a sample of the same when our 2-8-0 2807 steams later this year, which, if all goes well (and it never usually does of course!) it will. The 8F's colour isn't my "cup of tea" but I didn't buy the kettle so to speak. Spamcan 81 is quite right regarding the memorial aspect, there will no doubt be people looking over your shoulders whom you can't see when 48624 sets off on its new life. One more thing, its true that not all publicity has to be "good" to be effective, perhaps "controversial" is more correct than "bad".

 

Just sat down after an exhausting day down at Rowsley.
The inspector was more than happy to give a ticket,with some very complimentary comments about the condition of the loco.
Some light engine runs were undertaken,checking for anything running warm at various points. Everything seemed happy,and it was certainly the first 8f into Matlock for a good few years!

 

WD150 is in steam all weekend. Sharing passenger duties on the Saturday, and working demonstration freight trains on Sunday and Monday whilst 8624 is in charge of the passenger services.

... And Frank - I'm sure most of the volunteers who have sweated blood and tears will be glad to hear you're going to keep driving to Crich. ](*,) You can't please em all!

 

Nothing like a "professional" response is there Andy?

I don't apologise for having standards - I just find it difficult to relate to those who don't.

 

Coming down to your standards Frank?, why would anyone sink so low?

Regards

Chris

 

Andy - is there likely to be some PR in local press / TV etc?

Hopefully my next statement will not be to controversial - will there be any other mainline loco's rolling out of sheds this year aside from 48624 and Tornado?

 

For someone who has usually posted interesting and intelligent quotes you have really let yourself down on this one. I suspect that the team that done the work couldn't give two hoots if you visit or not. I suspect the phrase 'jog on' maybe used when your name is mentioned and you won't be welcomed if you should lower yourself to pull into the carpark at Rowsley...

 

If you have standards would you care to explain your remarks earlier about your implication about the 8F restoration not being quality?

 

For once, (and this is not being sarcastic), I have to agree wholeheartedly with you Maunsell Man.

The team who have returned this Loco to traffic would appear to have done a very good job , and it is the choice of that team tp paint it in a livery of their choice.

I wonder how much Frank has put into this Loco physically and financially?, not a lot I would think.

Regards
Chris

 

Woo Hoo - witch hunt on -

Ask the 8624 team where they parked the wreck when they first bought it.

Then ask yourselves how they got that accommodation - guys - best to stop digging when you are in a hole.

 

Perhaps we should have a witch hunt, would liven the forum up a little.

On a more serious note, I assume that you have answers to the questions you have posed above - so why not just tell us the facts.

 

I agree with chrisj94,sleeper monster and andy cowerd, perhaps mr t bird would be best continuing beyond crich, as far as the land would go,then beyond!!,dont talk about quality restoration,these chaps on the 8f group embody that in every essence of the word,28 years work in the open deserves praise not slander!

i will like the afformentioned chaps be around saturday,as will all my family and also my freinds and theyre families, colour is not important, il be there with two memories in my mind;

1. the day i saw 48624 arrive at buxton steam centre,id snook off from school to go look around the site,was a young whippersnapper then!!

2.vince,hughie,john and all whove gone before!plus the lads still about,mr grice,carl,dave ,richard etc.W E L L D O N E! =; [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o< =D> [-o<

 

How far is it from Alfreton to Matlock? Not that far if memory serves. Maybe I'll pop over after seeing Ollie tomorrow afternoon...

 

Latest news is that 48624 has had a concrete arch fitted and will undergo a further trial trip with coaching stock next week.

The special trip for members and shareholders will be the first run on the bank holiday saturday.

Other reports are that one chap is preparing to market "8624 - better red than rust" T-shirts, and that the owning society is thinking of naming the engine for copyright reasons.

My nomination would be "The Honourable Mr Gordon Brown M.P.", on the grounds that he too has suddenly gone deeply into the red, in his case also it has been a deep shock to many. There are those who say it should not have happened, but it has and it will be some time before things are back in the black again.

Tim

 

How about the "Red Baron" - for the number of people who have tried to shoot down this livery idea but the loco has come out of it better off (at least with loads more of publicity).

Richard

 

What it wants is a nice big red star on the front, and lots of cyrillic writing along the sides.

The People's Freight Engine of the Democratic Republic of Derbyshire.

 

sleepermonster: Excellent post!

Continuing that theme: "Gordon, the in- the- red engine"

More seriously, the names "Stanier" and "Riddles" come to mind for a naming.

46118