71000

It went via road to the SVR spring gala last year, and then returned to the ELR the same way.

 

Has 71000 arrived yet? I'm thinking about what happened the last time an iconic loco was road-hauled to the WSR.

Lightning doesn't strike twice, one hopes.

 

'Duke of Gloucester' has arrived at the WSR. See the following link. <BJ>
http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm

 

Another shot at Bury before departure.

http://graham-williams.fotopic.net/p63688893.html

 

I see from the pictures that 71000's support coach is there as well. Did that also go by road?

 

Off-topic, I know, but 60163 arrived on the MHR by rail, but left by road as her next engagement is at the GCR (I think). As mentioned above, she'll also need to go by road to the Bluebell this summer.

 

A clue to this is the comment in Heritage Railway that WCRC have serious concerns about running 71000 since her retube owing to the fact that the tubes used are not standard. I am sure someone more technically minded can give more info on this. This could potentially scupper any mainline return by this machine. The 71000 trust are apparently now talking to other heritage lines about potential hire this year. More importantly, with the bank account now emptied with this intermediate overhaul, thoughts must be turning to how they can raise money towards the next overhaul and how this can financed with her being off the mainline..

 

I would imagine Duke of Gloucester will become a DBS operated loco on the main line in the same way as Tornado is. THere must be some good reason why WCRC will not operate locomotives fitted with welded tubes as I doubt they would want to turn away business.

 

Is 71000 making the trip back to Bury on the mainline or via road transport after her starring visit to the West Somerset Railway? I presume she is going back to Bury?

Cheers, Lewis

 

Hopefully she's still on course to visit the Churnet Valley at some point this year. With a (potentially red) 8F and 5199 there (by the time summer comes around) they could host a nice little mini-gala to compensate for 71000 not making the winter event.

 

Have just read on the 71000 website that there is a possibility of the Duke doing some of the Torbay Expresses

 

Fantastic news! I will certainly be on a couple of them.

 

I will certainly be on them, just hope they don't clash with my holiday up north in August, was hoping to get her on some of the TRC trips up there but as WCR has rejected to run her that is scuppered, let's hope DBS don't do the same, anyhow I'm looking forward to the Dutchess and Lizzie up north.

 

With West Coast rejecting 71000 it will mean that only Torbay Express Ltd and UK Railtours are the only promoters who could use her unless RTC changed provider for a tour which is unlikely. This will no doubt have financial repercussions on the 71000 Trust which may lead to questions raised on the viability of 71000 remaining on the mainline. Lets hope when 71000 has proved herself West Coast take her on.

 

OK, showing my ignorance, but two questions:

1. Why invest in a non standard restoration?
2. What could be so bad that WCRC won't touch the loco?

Both have severe implications for mainline income.

 

Pathfinder also use DBS as their operator and I doubt they will be short of ideas for the use of "Duke of Gloucester". They run just as interesting steam trips as RTC but admittedly not as many. I understand WCRC will not operate "The Duke" for the same reason they do not operate "Tornado" , I'm not certain what that reason is and I'm sure WCRC are not turning business away without good reason, but "Tornado" is hardly short of work and I don't think we need worry too much about "The Duke " being short of mainline work under the auspicies of DBS.

 

If the same type of flue tubes as those originaly fitted had been used ie. seamless there would not have been a problem,the problem .
The problem is that welded tubes are not normally fitted to boliers.So if one operator turns it down other operators are going to look at it carefully.

I wasn't aware that WCRC had refused to Operate "Tornado".

 

1st, 8th and 15th August are the dates for 71000 on Torbays as far as I know.

 

I think it was an A1ST decision that was made during the test runs that only EWS crews would operate Tornado. I would think WCRC crews would be happy to drive her.


Dave B

 

It doesn't seem very logical to reject welded small tubes (which presumably are machine welded?) when, for example, flue tube botle ends are welded on on the same boiler. Can anyone enlighten us?