DNZ QUICK BITTERN RETURN?

I was finished reading the Scotsman Article on the Rail Heritage website and I saw this as one of the headlines on the front cover of the current issue. Has anybody read it? Would like to know what the contents of it are. Thanks anybody

 

Hi Mike1522
Don't you just love it when other people are so helpful!! I have no idea what he means when he says 'Zinio edition', but there you go!!

I guess it means that when Bittern needs her next overhaul, it will be a quick turn-around - which is great news as its a super locomotive and it will be fantastic to see her back on the mainline for another 7 years!!!

 

The article says the "lineside grapevine" claimed 4492 would return from the present winter maintenance as either 4464 or 60019 - something Jeremy Hosking's loco manager claims to know nothing about! Seems to be a pure page filler/flying a kite - a total non-story of the sort that News of the Steam,, sorry Heritage Railway specialises in. If the phrase "lineside chatter" was banned by Mortons, I reckon both the editor and certainly one of his contributors would be stuck for anything to write. The whole attitude is summed up when referring to reaction to Bittern's appearance as 4492, interested parties are listed with "passengers" last and "photographers" much nearer the front; "lineside chatter" is the product of the most important group of people in steam preservation it seems as far as Heritage Railway is concerned. The article ends that if the loco appeared as 4464 but without valances (and why, may I ask , would anyone even consider that when it currently has the valances!), "certain elements of the lineside community would call foul"! Actually, HR may have provided a good reason to do it......

Steven

 

Zinio Digital Magazines & Books. It's a site that allows you to electronically subscribe to certain magazines.
heritage rail and railway magazine both are available digitally.

Where is bittern currently ?, I passed Southall this morning and the workshop space was empty, 6024 still outside the main shed and yet another rake of virgin mark2ds has arrived (there's 4 sets of stock there now, 2 servicable WCRC mark 1 sets, and 2 sets of mark 2ds... Place is starting to look like a 90's carriage siding with some of the other unrestored coaches about the place.

 

Don't shoot the messenger but news from Southall today says that valances are off as are the DoNZ nameplates and the stainless steel numbers and letters. May all be part of the current maintenance schedule of course but changes are afoot even if only temporary. We'll all know soon enough.
As for this bit "The article ends that if the loco appeared as 4464 but without valances (and why, may I ask , would anyone even consider that when it currently has the valances!), "certain elements of the lineside community would call foul"! Actually, HR may have provided a good reason to do it......", what a pathetic comment the last sentence is. A couple of hundred people have paid a lot of money for the privilege of participating in photo charters at the SVR. Should the rumours be true and a fully valanced A4 not appear at the SVR then the railway and the good causes the surplus from these charters is going to support will be the poorer for it.

 

Sorry if my comment meant in jest has offended, Spamcan81 - you actually make a very good point, which is actually even wider that the SVR (and the NYMR) were looking forward the chance for the loco to run in pre-war livery on a teak set - it is, surely, the "unique selling point" of the SVR visit. (As an aside, Bittern in LNER Blue without valances but numbered 19 was the first steam loco I can remember seeing in steam at the agre of about 4).

However, I suspect you have hit the nail on the head that the valances are off to ease winter maintenance and that is the source of the rumour, along with wishful thinking for those suffering "BR Green A4 withdrawal sympoms - never mind, 6009 should be back soon and BR Green is its' trademark livery as BR Blue is now 60007.

Steven

 

A smiley would have helped.
Whatever the loco turns up as, the owner has the absolute right to decide how his loco appears. A pity if it's not 4492 with valances but until any livery change is confirmed then we're just carrying on in the finest tradition of NatPres idle speculation.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it stated when she was out shopped in blue last year, that she would stay that way until the end of Her ticket?

 

I understood a genuine NZ whistle has been loaned to the locomotive... As yet it's not been on the engine.

 

I heard this rumour a couple of weeks ago ie 4464 Bittern without valances. Hope it is just that, a rumour.

 

I have to say the article is rather pointless and spoils what is otherwise a very good issue of HR. I would imagine the valances are off for ease of access during maintenance. The numbers and letters were probably taken off for safe keeping although with the incident last year when one of the letters fell off duiring a railtour it makes me wonder whether thay have gone for the painted-on option.

 

I was doing some work on a loco at Southall last week, I popped into the Locomotive Services Shed to see Pete, Pete & the boys. The valances certainly are off DONZ. But then again so are the pistons, valves, coupling rods, con rods, some of the boiler cladding!
Why?
Because its having some routine maintenance and repairs done......

 

I was going to say - surely the reason the valences are off is because the valve gear needs attention as part of routine maitenance.

Regards,

Dan

 

Well there was the DNZ/Bittern thing... and the fact they kept calling Rileys finest glasgow highlander! :rofl:

 

Wouldn't the whole thing be better taken as an opportunity to dress her up in grey with black valances at some stage which was the original design exemplifying the curve of the footplate which is lost with overall blue, but re-inforced with no valances.

Similarly apple green which hasn't been seen for over sixty years would look good too - not right now - but as per Tornado - during her stint - as a marketing tool, and an example of what A4s did look like during their careers

A la 6233 the money is out there - if you don't dress it up as a silly poll and make it clear "grey next" or whatever.

 

Had a phone call from my "man at Southall" and I'm told she will emerge as 4464 'Bittern' with valances. Please don't shoot the messenger though if this turns out to be duff gen.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with you on this occasion Frank. IMHO the grey is the best livery for an A4 and an apple green one would be a very interesting variation.

 

Suits me fine, a Valanced LNER A4 on Teaks at the SVR is what im after, it's identity is of less importance.

I agree portraying a Silver A4 as originally produced at some point is a great idea, many Eastern Engines can carry Apple Green but this Silver/Grey is unique to the class.

 

I had been hopin to see an apple green A4 in my lifetime. It may not be the lovliest livery, who knows. If and when all extant A4s meet, there are a number of possible livery combinations, so heres one of them:

60007 - Sir Nigel Gresley - BR blue
60008 - Dwight D Eisenhower - LNER Green as originally, 4496 Golden Shuttle
60009 - Union of South Africa - BR Green
60010 (4489) - Dominion of Canada - LNER blue, "Coronation style"
60019 (4464) - Bittern - LNER grey as 2509 Silver Link
60022 (4468) - Mallard - LNER Garter blue