50033 (less than) Glorious

I know where they are...and the website is due a major revamp at the mo, relaunch soon, sorry!

 

I've checked and I havent got them (happy to help)

 

Dumped at Tyseley: http://class50.zenfolio.com/p809647594/e6ce27f8

Under cover at STEAM: http://class50.zenfolio.com/p809647594/e11fcc37b

Happier days: http://class50.zenfolio.com/p1012715457/e2d365691

 

Whilst I would not claim to be an expert of the precise difference between 'dumped' and 'parked' - it doesnt look very dumped to me - looks in better nick than many running locomotives!

 

Particularly as it looks in better condition "dumped" than it did in "happier days".

 

I agree with you on that.

I also agree it's very true that, in quite a number of cases...

... that certainly applies to loads of Class 31s, 37s, 47s and, to a lesser extent, 50s. But there are many extraordinarily professional and dedicated diesel groups around (DPS, DEPG, CFPS, etc) who I think will pass on their enthusiasm for their locos to future generations.

I think there will be many 'preserved' diesels sold off and broken up to feed the ever-diminishing pool of spares in the coming years, especially those owned by individuals who have tried to relive their 1980s spotting days and are just beginning to realise that buying a loco is by far the easiest bit of the exercise - restoring them, and keeping them restored, is much harder!

However, to say...

... is absolute horse $hit. There will always be a certain number of diesels that attract enough interest to be properly preserved and maintained. And, in addition, all preserved railways know the value of being able to switch on a diesel at a moment's notice and get it out there to run works and some passenger trains where to use steam just isn't economically viable or practical.

Yes, even the Bluebell...

 

I don't think he's trolling, I just think he's a Class 50 obsessive, one of those who would only be really happy if all 50 had been preserved. Personally I think 18 is more than enough of any class - steam, diesel or electric!

There are actually quite a few of these 'Hoover' obsessives about...

 

Disused Branch has touched on the aspect of "there are too many diesels preserved" debate which rarely gets mentioned - bluntly, the Bluebell Chairman was right - diesel locos are effectively "plant", but very much esential plant, for most heritage railways. They are used for tasks that need doing but it helps conserve the steam fleet not to have to use them. They do have a following and can mean additional passenger trains can be run but the vast majority of heritage railway passengers want steam and hence that is what should be aimed for on most services.

Against this usage, most heritage railways want a diesel that is economical, quick to use (you don't just get on and turn a key and some diesels can take quite a while to be ready for use - usually the bigger ones!) and simple/reliable. Most keep their diesels outside and use them irregularly - neither of which is good for the electrical aspects of the loco! Most lines can manage with Type 2 diesels and certainly Type 3s. Older designs tend to be simplier and more robust (hence why Class 31s and 37s are still used for various mainline tasks).

Class 50s score poorly against this criteria but do have considerable following - possibly second only to Deltics and the Western Region hydraulics. It is certainly a great pity that Glorious fionds itself unloved and seemingly unwanted. Let's hope some secure future beckons.

I can't say I am a great believer in this idea of cutting diesels to add to the "spares pool". Surely, if a working loco has need of a component, there is a good chance this is an item that is likely to be at best worn on a no-hope loco and quite probably already failed or missing. To me, as long as some conservation is undertaken, the fact is that just like a steam loco, a diesel's main frame and bodywork (boiler on a steam loco) can be used as the basis for a rebuild in the future but once cut are gone for ever.

Steven

 

Not trolling - too grown-up for that and not even a good '50 obsessive' since I grew up with the Deltics in York and got far more miles behind them than 50s. I also don't want to see a huge number of ANY class preserved if it means that they are mediocre and lack the parts to properly restore them and KEEP them working. I was merely pointing out that it is a shame that 50033, once part of the National Collection is now rotting in Tyseley and that this situation would most probably never have occurred if it was a steam locomotive.

As to my posting of the 3 pictures. The 'dumped' one does not show the fact that internally some parts have allegedly gone missing, one of the roof hatches is gone and it is now letting-in rainwater. The 'happier days' picture - whilst it required a bit of a touch-up on the paint front - shows it having just come off a Waterloo-Exeter diagram in the 1980s - a very fast run as I recall.

 

No offence taken Mr Sidmouth. Interesting to learn that the same has happened to some steam locomotives. Were those you quote in the National Collection?