850 Lord Nelson

Referring to Nellie going to the Bluebell or the Dukedog at the SVR?

 

Best thing from the recent parts of this thread is the suggestion that 30850 could spend some time at the Bluebell! Oh Boy, wouldn't I love that. Along with many others.

I'll E Mail one of the Directors whom I have know for many years and see what he says. But I guess they, (that is the Bluebell Group as a whole), are rather committed this year re any extra costs. I've just received the share prospectus for the extension to East Grinstead which sets down the finance they need. A lot of money.

 

Everyone moans when an SR (or any other pre-1948 liveried) engine is paired with Mk.1s as being "not appropriate". Funny, I never hear people moaning when a BR liveried A4 is paired with LNER branded Gresley teaks...

As to 850 on the Bluebell? Not until the mainline connections fixed

 

Early BR liveries paired with pre-1948 stock is less incongrous though and has much more of a historical precedent. 60007 on the teaks at the NYMR could be deemed an acceptable match for instance.

 

But Brunswick Green?

 

Why is that Chris, the cost of transport?

It wasn't a problem last year to get three pacifcs to visit. Without a main line conection.

 

Really? You clearly don't hang out with the same people as me.

The Bluebell was a great example earlier in the year. A 2 train service, the E4 on the Mets and the 01 on the MK1's (red/cream as well). Superb.

 

I believe once before someone made a point that a mainline registered locomotive is unlikely to be hoiked onto a low-loader as before it goes back on the mainline afterwards it needs rebalancing and some other such jobs.

 

I think you will find that it is a stresses and strains involved with loading and unloading it from the low loader which is the main problem. Anyway, Ian should know as he tries to never move his locomotives by road unless absolutely necessary (34067 recovery to Bury for instance).

Regards,

Dan

 

Am I just being dense, or are neither the GWR (where 850 has been up until recently) nor the GCR main line connected..?

 

Correct, but in the GCRs case please point out another line with testing features such as our own, both lines were chosen upon their merits, G/WR being a long enough run with gentle enough gradients, and GCR being chosen for our testing capabilities.

 

I understand why the GCR has been chosen for the testing facilities, I was merely commenting on the various remarks about 850 not going on a low loader.

 

The assumption has to be then that after essential running and and speed testing 30850 will just go through the final work needed to get it onto the main line just the once. Rather than start a main line spell, go to the Bluebell, and then go back to the main line.

So, as soon as the Bluebell gets main line connected the better. I shall be raiding my piggy bank to buy some shares in that case!

 

But surely 850 can't get its mainline certificates purely on the GCR, it has to get to NR, but once it gets there its easier for it to stay there

 

A few snaps taken today at the GCR with 850 in steam.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/2671568001/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/2662589194/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/2661709079/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/2662547744/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/2662568066/

Standard 2 also in steam framed at Woodthorpe.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/2662507772/

Cheers Simon.

 

Sorry to upset the people expecting the loco to go to the Bluebell. It is fairly common knowledge that Harry Frith will be in charge of the loco and as he lives near Southampton it has been decided the loco will be based on the Mid Hants.

 

I don't think anyone was "expecting" it to go to the Bluebell, as there isn't a mainline connection yet. Lots would like it to visit the Bluebell though. Where does your info come from, the ERPS website hasn't been updated since February.

Daniel

 

Very strange. Last year a senior guy at the ERPS said it would NEVER go to the MHR due to the way the MHR treated John Bunch.

I think someone might be stirring the pot...