I C I hoppers

I believe that the last 6 of these bogie hoppers (of which the NRM has one) at Tunstead Quarry are up for disposal. There are several preserved, but if anyone were to want to preserve a representation of Britain's first modern block train, this would be the last chance - and what a train it would make. I wonder if anyone has the interest or cash? Would make a very different preserved line goods train in contrast to four wheel box vans, opens and tankers...

 

Would be a great project, although sadly I think the cash just isn't out there. They could be hauled by several classes of steam & diesels prototypically, vacuum braked as well so preserved railway friendly - perhaps another case for one of those magazine appeals! I would donate but I don't know how many others would I believe Steam Railway had a part in the saving of the windcutters, could they take on the challenge again?

According to Steve Best's (excellent) records, six are already preserved, 2 @ Severn Valley, 2 @ Midland Railway, 1 @ NRM and 1 @ Long Marston.

If you could gather those with the six up for sale that would be a rake of twelve, more than enough I reckon for an effective demonstration rake...

 

Now they would look good behind an 8F and certainly worth trying to save. Perhaps GCR (N) or Churnet would be a good place for them? Siding space would no doubt be a problem.

 

And money of course...

 

How much do you think they'll go for Anthony? Steel scrap prices are around £200/tonne I think.

 

Be awesome with 48173 and the Yanks. Sadly money and Storage space makes it a little bit hard. Think there is the interest among some people, just the physical cost.

 

The problem with those ICI hoppers is the task of repairing them. The two SVR ones were brought by the 8F society, and the reason nothing has happened on them since, is we simpley haven't got the kit to do em.

 

Olly: From what I recall of these wagons from seeing them thunder through Chinley in the early 1960's behind 8Fs (when I were but a lad----) they are substantial pieces of kit and as you imply an overhaul would be a considerable undertaking.
Not wishing to detract from what Anthony says, but in fact they are not really typical of a steam era mixed goods due to their sheer size and bulk, but are important as examples of block trains for a specific purpose.
I wonder if the bogies are of a type that means they would have a value as spares in preservation circles?

 

I assume the vehicles in question are those alongside the Buxton - Chinley line at Tunstead. It'll be sad to see them go from there.

I could be (very) wrong but wasn't there some sort of problem with these in the past that prevented them from moving into preservation? Something like they were welded to the rails or they still contained a load of limestone which refused to budge. I thought ICI wanted them moving a long time ago.

If something could be organised to save them however I would happily throw some money towards the cause. It'd be very nice if they were to stay in Derbyshire too - perhaps Peak Rail could have a few.

 

Would be nice at PR

 

Oh, absolutely agreed, the simple fact is, the lads at Bewdley simply do not have the means to do anything on ours. However, they are owned by the owning group of our 8F, I am certain if anyone were to come allong with the money and the method of working to do them, they would be interested. As it stands at the moment, they are just rotting up the Stourport

 

both, we have no means of working inside them so high up the hopper walls, nor space in the down yard to do them, or the money to do em

 

Given time and materials, what type of cash is needed to do them, are they rotten through ? (I'd assume if their carrying Lime there not in the best of condition ?)

 

they are not rotten through, but last time i lookled one had a seized brake, we would need the enough money to buy some lifting tackle to get them off their wheels, and some means of getting up both the in and outside of them to do any nessesary repairs to the plate work, and the equipment to tether ourselves to them incase of a fall. I couldn't say for sure as i don't deal with that side of things, but i'd be guessing at five figures

 

I believe these are the ones that ICI put aside after a request by the late Brian Oliver. He was heavily involved with 8F 48624 in the 1990s (and buying Galatea from the SVR of course) and I suggested to him whilst on the 'phone "wouldn't it be a nice idea if we had some ICI hoppers to go with her etc." Brian being the go-getter he was 'phoned me back an hour or so later to say they he had got them to put some aside!

You can just about make them out on Google Maps by the way.

DaveW

 

would ICI be willing to donate them to x group as a public relations exercise. if some media campaign could be launched which i'm sure anthony has contacts for then how about it. maybe get a haulage firm such as allely's, moveright etc to be a corporate sponsor etc. i know it sounds easy being said but a bit of application from people. it hasn't got the finesse of a TORNADO style press campaign but all the same if you go in at the right angle and exploit what you do have you can make it work. i've read many times about hauliers or shipping firms giving cost price or free transport providing they get something back such as good PR. a home could be the mountsorrel branch perhaps? i'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. its not much but a lot of not much's soon add's up. richard

 

I wouldn't assume ICI own these, as there's not much of ICI left these days. Can anyone confirm if ICI own them, or if not who does?

 

Hello there, I've just joined the group having found this thread via a google search for ICI hoppers, which is kind of my pet subject.

Ok, yes the wagons are up for disposal and it is being kept low-key by Tarmac Buxton Lime & Cement who are the owners of the wagons. The wagons are marooned on the siding at present as a previous attempt to move them a few years ago resulted in the trackwork leading to the siding spliting and derailing one of the works shunters oops. At least three of the wagons are or were partially filled with fine stone chippings, which would need to be removed before the wagons were taken away by road from Tunstead (unless they throw in the stone for free!). The six wagons at Tunstead are 19021, 039, 043, 065, 072 and 146 and so the first five wagons from first batch pre-WW2 and last wagon 146 from third batch in 1951/2.

I wasn't aware that Brian Oliver had any involvement in trying to preserve some hoppers, I will ask his sons when I next see them to see if they know anything of this.

Of the six already preserved, 19161 the one now located at Long Marston Airfield (owned by Andrew Goodman) was originally based on the Rutland Railway Museum site. This was donated to the group by Buxton Lime Industries as it was intended to utilise the underframe only and put the restored Wisbech & Upwell wooden bodied coach on top. However, this obviously didn't happen and I guess this is where Andrew stepped in to purchase the wagon. From a conversation with Andrew some time ago I believe this will eventually go and live on the Glouc Warks Rly somewhere.

So will it happen? I'd like to hope so not just because they are a subject I have researched a lot. I know it costs lots of time, money,effort and storage space in the preservation world. Hmm Euromillions jackpot I wish! And to gather all twevle together and run them somewhere would be truly amazing.... but you have to think reality of course.

HTH
Paul Harrison