Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

"Baby" Duchess?..............

 

Be nice when P&O's run in to maybe send it to the 16 mile line in the next county! I don't think a Merchant Navy's visited the SVR yet be nice to compare it with SKiP and TV

 

It did suit it rather well, and it wound up the purists! Plus I think Mr Hitchen did ok out of it too.

 

Nowt wrong with a Bulleid fest! But could the Brasso lovers take it?....................

 

Well they've let 2 take residence there... Get the M7 and 31806 back jobs a good 'un

 

Nah, forget that & M7 (don't need shuttles buggering things up) ......... just get in 92 Squadron & jobs a good un!

Only problem, they'd be fighting to run them on the Teaks.......... Bulleids look rather nice on them! I wonder why?............

 

I think 925 looked the best on the teaks a couple of years ago. Only managed in model form, but an SECR C class goes rather well with them too.

 

Sombody made a comment about how silly 34053 looked on the teaks in 2012! I really couldn't help but point out the obvious! Blithering idiot!

 

Well, 2807 took us 29 years. As you probably already realise, being young is an advantage in this business! Locomotive restoration is is very much a long game for some societies and there are always setbacks but, despite a recession and other distractions, it would seem that the great British preoccupation with an outdated, inefficient, noisy, polluting mode of transport is alive and well. Long may it remain so. By the way, I would not wish to compare the restoration of 2807 (with which I have had some involvement a few years ago) with that of 35006. The MN is a real challenge and an expensive one at that. There have been much faster restorations of course but 35006 will take its place centre stage as will 76077 no doubt one day, perhaps sooner than later.

 

It is interesting to compare the two projects since both have been arduous in time and resources due to both being such large and complex machines, though the end result of both projects speaks for themselves, wonderfully restored beauties.

Certainly the GWSR as well the owning groups must have great pride in these gleaming locomotives, that they have toiled so long for to have in their respective states now. They make great ambassadors for the railway, displaying brilliantly what has been achieved on their humble Honeybourne line.

I'll be curious to see how things progress with 76077, since latest photos would show it to be in a very sorry indeed, yet behind the scenes the frames have had some work done and a good stockpile of components has been gathered for it.

 

Another update on Taw Valley .... well a photo posted by the SVR

SVREngineeringSteam @SVREngsteam · 4h4 hours ago
34027 coming together. Loco shed open this weekend for viewing

 

It begins

In a surprise announcement by Severn Valley Railway management the entire locomotive fleet is set for a new golden age!

Starting with locomotive No. 34027 Taw Valley, which is due out of Bridgnorth works in time to haul the Golden Jubilee Pullman on May 16th, it has been decreed that all members of the steam locomotive fleet will be painted in a brand new gold livery with silver lining, in time for the daily service operating during the summer months.

Many will remember that Taw Valley was painted in a fetching shade of red for the Harry Potter film as Hogwarts Express. It is also to be renamed 'Golden Valley' in celebration of the anniversary.

In addition to this great news for the locomotive fleet, it is also planned to give Victoria Bridge, near Arley, a similar paint treatment which will remain in place for the rest of the year.

The use of this new gold livery, with pigments that will reflect the sunlight, will mean that photographers will not experience a dull day this season. It is also expected that migrating local wildlife along the Valley will not need to leave these shores in the Autumn. Local naturalists believe that this new initiative will be especially beneficial for the rarely spotted Fulesdae Duck, a local delicacy in SVR restaurants!

Not a bad go by the SVR, one of the better ones i have seen today

 

Excellent. Almost thought this was an April Fool spoof but it makes so much sense it must be true.

 

Wish this had been in use on 23rd....would have brightened up my day with Sir Keith !!

 

Its not been a bad couple of weeks for Bulleid fans, CanPac gets her funding and P&O gets water back in her boiler and now Taw Valley got fire in her belly this week.

 

Picture says a 1,000 words

 

that is a very welcome sight, so hopefully the next one will be of 35006 with all three valves open as the boiler inspector ticks the box

 

Its a Bulleid boiler, its was most probably lifting the valves with a fire THAT fierce in it.

 

"It's astounding, time is fleeting. Madness takes its toll. But listen closely, not for very much longer, I've got to keep control....."
I remember, doing the time warp, and seeing 35006 in bits next to a shed at Toddington that's long gone too. Fast/slow forward 30 years and the patience is rewarded. Well done to the 35006 Team.

 

The 35006 team have done a brilliant job. Let's hope there hard work results in a successful test and that she actually works.