7027 Thornbury Castle

It's the ramps I was objecting too.....

 

I've been to STEAM a few times now - I think the point is that it's telling the story of the GWR in a way that's relevant to non-enthusiasts... I thought the interpretation was great, and there's a really good flow through the museum. I'll be honest, I think some live steam would be the icing on the cake, but that's not what they do. Went to Didcot last week - had a lovely time too, but it's a whole different kettle of fish. STEAM probably isn't going to be every enthusiast's dream ticket, but they're fantastic at telling the story to a very wide range of people...


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I was only dimly aware of Steam until now. I draw the opposite conclusion from those pictures from 99Z and Jimc: that a day trip to Swindon is called for.

 

A posting on another thread suggests Breakdown Crane ADRC96719 belongs to the LNWR Heritage Company (Mr Hosking) rather than the LNWR Heritage Trust (Mr Waterman). As such it will probably be staying at Crewe.

A haulier mentioned recently moving a 'cattle van' from Crewe Heritage Centre to Peak Rail. Not been able to confirm the vehicle involved. Could this have been the above mentioned BR GUV 86568 - 93568. Anyone able to clarify which vehicle was actually moved?

 

There was something in Steam Railway about this, IIRC (this is off the top of my head), the disagreement/confusion regarding ownership was also holding up movement of the remaining elements of 7027 (tender. bogie and a container of parts)? I don't have SR to hand but it was something like that!

 

Some photographs I hadn't seen of Thornbury are here http://www.existing-gwr-locos.co.uk/loco.aspx?[GWR_Number]=7027 including some of the two tenders that were/are still at Crewe?

Not my website, but a good and interesting resource.

 

A few detail shots of Thornbury Castle taken at Rowsley, includes the broken smokebox saddle, probably not a great problem in the scheme of things.

Dave

 

Thanks, very interesting. Is there any sign of works commencing to any of the Waterman locomotives following their relocation or is it just replacing one open storage siding with another?

Coat of paint will get her running in no time.

 

Exactly, what I don't get is what do PR gain from this apart from a long line of slowly rusting locomotives taking up siding space, I know that there has been talk of some sort of ideas for apprenticeships etc but whilst that happened at Crewe and the credit for it has been claimed repeatedly by PW it is unclear who did what there?

 

Wasn't there some kind of boiler swap done? 7027's original boiler used on another Castle & boiler off said Castle placed back in 7027's frames.
All the holding bolts look removed in the picture above. Also seem to remember reading about it somewhere.

 

Well as 7027 has what is (in Castle preservation at least) a unique 3 row superheater boiler it would be comparatively easy to establish what if any change has occurred - its hardly beyond the realms of fantasy that the boiler has been off at some stage post Barry, she has been shunted from pillar to post during that time?

 

The firebox crownsheet looks a bit rough to my untutored eye!

 

It's always been said that the boiler is in a very very good condition.

It does seem odd that PR have accepted this long line of Locos that just seem to be years from even starting work on them but then again maybe they were seduced by PWs fame and promise of restoration and use on the line? Maybe they thought that by having PWs locos based at the line they could also use him for PR etc? There was all the hype of the money from sales of miniature locos that was said to be restoring 3 or 4 steam locos so again it "looked" like it could be a good deal. Or maybe were being a bit harsh and work will start soon and they will get restored and into work.

 

I remember reading about that as well. I think it was during the restoration of 5080, whilst 7027 still belonged to Tyseley.

 

Perhaps it was considered at a time prior to preservation being confident enough to take on some of the bigger restoration/repair jobs ?, granted 7027's boiler is technically different, but externally is there much to tell it apart from the standard 2 row single chimney that 4073, 79, 5029, 51 and 80 carry ?, certainly all of 5080, 7027 and 5043 were at one time or another considered just a pile of spares for 7029.

 

I always understood that 7027 was the last Castle to leave Barry and was bought for spares. As for PW raising a load on money from the sale of his models, I'd suggest that he's probably already spent quite a lot of it on transport!

 

Dumped in a line 08830,5224,5553 then 37152.7027 is. by itself by buffer stops,a nice attractive welcoming exhibit as enter the site!