Back Of The Shed

I've always thought this as well. The list including names/renamed within the RCTS book doesn't show the names originally allocated to locomotives, therefore it shows 4488 named as UoSA when built. There are various internet sites re the A4 class that show 4488 was originally allocated the name Osprey but was actually named UoSA as you have described.

 

Did I read somewhere that this Austerity (not sure of it's true identity) actually has the boiler that came from the original 68009?

 

The original ID of '68009' was 'Robert' this little 0-6-0 had the honour of running on the mainline to get from its place of work to Bold Colliery for the Rocket 150 celebrations in 1980.

 

Hang on a mo John yes there are a few more Austerities wearing their genuine identitys these days and long may that continue, what's wrong with having a bit of colour to brighten things up? What's wrong something wearing its genuine identity rather than pretending to be something it's not? You make a point of saying GC's a mainline railway but didn't Alfred and Judy fit in rather well there when they visited or would you paint hose BR Black too? Also and more pertainatly the GC has something unique and that's a mile and half industrial branch line! As ever we have digressed into livery froth so maybe it's a good idea to leave this for now.

 

I never said there was any thing wrong with a bit of colour and I just viewing it from the owners point as he grow with BR steam. So he wants his locomotives to wear a livery that he has a emotion connection from his children hood and if you owned a locomotive would you not want to paint it in livery that you have a connection to and like I said there are plenty of other Austerities in more colourful liverys. Why are you get so mad over one Austerity when there are other and surely you could ask him to repainted. Currently 68009 is at the Midland Railway at Butterley on loan and the GCR do 3809 currently being overhaul which could appear in non BR colours in due time. Alfred and Judy don't live at the GCR and live at the Bodmin and Wenford railway. Which 71578 lives and is WD green livery. I know the GCR has the Mountsorrel branch but it is not signal probably with the rest of the GCR and it currently does not get much use. Surely it not be best to argue the owner's choice of livery and I like all liverys equally.

 

You are getting two different Austerities mixed up.

“68009” is/was Hunslet 3825 /1955 and was new to the NCB. On the GCR from 1981-1993, then to North Norfolk and now at Kirkby Stephen.

“68067” is Hudswell Clarke 1752 /1943, and was WD 75091, later NCB ‘Robert’. On the GCR 2007-present (visits elsewhere excepted).

I do remember reading in ‘Main Line’ that the number “68009” was picked because the boiler had been on that loco, but can’t verify this personally.

As for “68067” I did try to convince the owner that original WD khaki livery was the way to go (one of very few locos to carry it) but he was having nome of it! The original 68067 was also a Hudswell Clarke machine (1792 /1946) and was allocated to various GC sheds during its career, so it’s not a bad choice really.


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Don't know if it counts as back of the shed strictly speaking but at bury i've heard news that 1 of my riley's merchant navies is slowly but surely coming back from the dead. Think it was shaw savill that's been mentioned, don't recall that having run for many many moons now.

 

Ian only owns one MN - 35009 Shaw Savill and it is effectively ex-barry albeit that some components were acquired/made for it about 10 years ago.

Do you have a source for your information, as Ian has not mentioned anything about 35009 on his own forum and I believe his Jinty and the rolling overhauls of his black 5s are ahead of the MN in the overhaul queue.


Keith

 

Yeah heard it on the east lancs forum (nuelr) saying it'd been seen & was being worked on.

 

Charles. It will never happen but I always wondered what an original PQR mainline engine looks like in action. (Plus I like the square windows)

 

It was out on the main line. Really a joy to behold.
One of the marvellous and memorable surprises I have ever had.

 

I'm afraid you are mistaken. When painted as Silver Link she was only ever a static exhibit. She steamed in 2007 for the first time in approx 40 years and was painted in BR green as 60019. She was later repainted in garter blue as 4492 and then back to her proper identity as 4464.

Keith

 

Well what did I see then?

From a train in from Stevenage to Kings Cross looking out of the carriage window.
And then, having got there first, when it arrived at Kings Cross.
Quite unmistakeable: silver grey paint, valences, cut out stainless steel loco numerals.
An overwhelming sight - too much so for me to enquire at the time just which A4 had been got up to such effect.
(It was indeed one of the half dozen remarkable things that I have ever been suddenly most impressed by in my three score years and ten)
It was running on a fine summer evening and the paint etc. certainly looked sparkling fresh, indeed brand new.

Note. Beforehand I did not think the livery was other than a discarded experiment - no inkling it could be a resounding success.
And it gave the best insight I have ever got into the effect the Midland Railway must have been able to give in the 1890s.

 

What year was this?

 

I afraid I didn't break the spell by taking notes. Not very long ago however, sometime in about the last dozen years.
But you may have jogged my memory: I seem to have an idea that I may have met someone I
meet decidedly occasionally on the platform from the support crew.

 

Pretty sure Bittern only carried Stainless Steel Numerals when carrying its 'Dominion of New Zealand' guise- she also carries the stainless strips on the valances but was Garter Blue at the time.

Looking at Photos it appears that the name, number and Numerals were painted hen she was in 'Silver Link' guise- Sadly I cannot say first hand as I only saw her at Loughborough partially dismantled in this livery.

Chris

 

I have no idea what you saw, but Bittern did not steam when she was painted as Silver Link.

Keith

 

This wasn't in the mid 1930's then?

 

I think a dummy smoke generator was used.

 

Indeed Bittern when repainted as 2509 Silver Link was a non-runner. It also had painted numbers and letters applied too.