A cloudy forecast for Sidmouth

I hope you're right. No obvious buyer/partner springs to mind at the moment. The ex-SR lines suitable for Bulleids (Swanage, Bluebell, Mid Hants) have sufficient. Jeremy Hosking owns Braunton, West Coast and/or John Bunch look like they will eventually put Bodmin back on the main line and Ian Riley has 35009 to keep him happy when he runs out of LMS engines to overhaul, so all in all, the obvious people with main line interests all have a Bulleid (or more) to occupy them too. What of longer non-SR heritage lines where a Bulleid might come in useful? SVR has 34027 and 34053, NYMR has 34101, GCR has 34039, GWSR has 35006. Although one or two short lines also have a Bulleid (e.g., KWVR, 34092), not many more spring to mind that are likely to want one that don't. The WSR did have 34046 based there and also had 34053 on its books too for a while prior to its sale to SLL. Of course, there may not be the slightest interest at the WSR in taking on Sidmouth, but it does stand out as the only line where a Bulleid might be suitable motive power at the moment and it doesn't have one. Of course, in 10 or 15 years' time, who knows? Sidmouth's salvation might come from a completely unexpected source. It would be sad if it did end up merely as a source of spares, but let's face it, eight rebuilt WC/BBs have steamed and 34058 will join that number eventually. That's more than anyone would ever have dreamed back in those sad days when 34013 and 34100 enjoyed one final moment of stardom at an open day at Bristol Bath Road before meeting their fate the other side of the Severn Tunnel.

 

As 34058 has most of the parts required , I cannot see them leaving it to rot away... whilst its overhaul may still be a few years away they are not going to pass on the opportunity to have another southern engine running. The other major reason for overhauling this engine is by having a re-built will complete the trio of WC (Original) BOB (Re-built) & Merchant Navy I think making the MHR the only railway in this position?

 

I don't think there are any other heritage railways with a full set of Bulleids. However, Carnforth has 34016, 34073 and 35018 at the moment, if this counts, and hopefully before too many years, WCRC Southall will boast 34016, 34067 and 35018 all in working order - something very much to look forward to.

 

ref.nymr 80135 was rebuilt from barry condition so that post is basically wrong,the engine was sold because at the time the railway could not see a time when they would be able to find the time to restore it and rather than let it rot they sold it.

 

I always understood WC and BOB were the same in all but name ?, therefore mechanically the same class.

 

I think Hurricane's point was the possibility of having all three forms still extant at one location - i.e. original WC/BoB; rebuilt WC/BoB and rebuilt MN.

Tom

 

I reckon somewhere like the Mid Norfolk that seems to be taking more of an interest in steam haulage year on year might need a decent sized resident at some point in the future, at their length an Industrial is probably impractical and continous use of "hire ins" means you have to compete with others lines should there be too many chasing too little operational motive power.

 

Perhaps to some it will be a WSR selling point that it does not have a Bulleid. They are not as suitable as many claim for everyday 25mph, volunteer manned 50% tender first heritage line use really.

 

They did precisely that sort of work on the 'Withered Arm', which is presumably why they might be dubbed by some of the Western persuasion as the 'Rich Man's Pannier'. However, the only WSR galas I felt were worth going to were those where at least one Bulleid was featured; whilst there was a brief flurry in 2013 with 34046 and 34070, the best was in Spring 2009, with 34028 and 34046.

 

From what I'm hearing, plans are afoot...........

 

I thought the WSR had a turntable one end and a triangle at the other.... no need for tender first running.

 

But using them regularly would add massively to the time for one journey. The triangle is some way beyond the extent of 'normal' operations for a start, don't know how easy it is to access the turntable. I'd imagine it'saimly used to evenly wear rolling stock, eg paint fade and flanges wear.

 

The turntable is fairly easily accessed off the Bay platform run round at Minehead & locos are frequently turned in the summer when one turn has a longer layover to provide a bit of a display for visitors.

Using the triangle is time consuming as it means running light to & from Norton Fitzwarren as well as operating various ground frames & hand points. The High Output Ballast Cleaning trains from NR also frequently use the triangle to discharge spent ballast to the stockpile there.

All chimney first running is only feasible at galas.

 

Is Mr Walton-Binns still involved with preservation?

Dave

 

I believe he still owns a number of narrow gauge locos, and I think at least one standard gauge industrial.

Regards,

Keith