Narrow gauge engines

I'd suggest that it would be a good example of something similar to the L&B carriage at NRM (I think there is also an unrestored loco at Stratfold Barn as well). I think recovery not to restore but to conserve/preserve would be the order of the day. And if nothing else, as an object it has an interesting story to tell.

 

Could it be argued that it does this best in situ (degrading though it is)?

 

Two words come to mind: Risk assessment.

Just thinking out loud here .....

There's an annual tidy-up on Mount Everest these days. Nowt the size of a deWinton, but then again, you can make a decent cuppa atop Snowdon, which Chris Bonnington told my brother, altitude renders impossible on the upper reaches of Everest. Therefore, given the ability of chaps (and chapesses) to enjoy a decent brew, I fail to see any insoluble problem.

Given a couple of notable ex-quarry restorations over the past decade, it'd be a brave soul who affirms this one's a complete no-hoper.

Does anyone perchance have a photo of this one?

 

Not my pic:

 

I'm puzzled, are you suggesting it is a health hazard?

 

Are you suggesting a refreshment stall for explorers using it as a tea urn?

 

You can certainly argue that and I would not disagree. Of course, it is virtually impossible for people to see where it is and it would depend on whether you think relocating it is worth it. I guess the question is what is the purpose of conserving/preserving/restoring the object or not?

 

I personally think it is much better left where it is. There is a far better example already preserved.

It reminds me of the portable engine in the Cwt y bugail quarry. It managed to survive the scrapman and the the Welsh weather, only to be removed by some traction engine enthusiasts. They just used bits of it to cosmetically restore something else. A rather sad loss to the industrial history of the area.

Tim

 

The mainframes are paper thin. The boiler is scrap. The cylinders and motion are already in use on "Taffy". Only the wheelsets would survive a restoration. Any hope of using air lift would involve closing both the A55 and the North Wales main line. There are several preserved DeWintons around, including some which could be viable projects (eg the one on display at Caernafon station).

Apart from that, the project's a winner.

 

I really like that suggestion! Is it anywhere near that zipwire?

Looking at that photo [post #24 .... Cheers for that Keith], I'm disinclined to contest @Seraphim's post.

 

I'm desperately trying to think what loco you're referring to now...

 

Barry?

 

Doesn't it refer to most Barry locos?

 

Yes obviously, whoops! I was so focused on narrow gauge

 

It actually remains in complete ex-quarry condition to be fair to the folks who removed it; even parts removed clandestinely have been returned to it. It was displayed at Beamish some years ago

 

That's nice to hear.
By pure chance my visit to see and photograph it occurred about two weeks before it was removed, but seeing earlier photos shows how much had been removed over the years.

 

I believe the missing parts were delivered somewhere in a carrier bag or tow, where the person who ahd taken tehm off decdide they were better back on the engine - that was what was told me anyway

 

Fair enough, nice gesture if that's the case.
I'd understood (via 12th hand rumour - so quite easily wrong! Lol) parts such as the cylinder covers had found a new home in service on another engine long ago.

 

Here are a few more locos that I think have an uncertain future:

Fabryka 2959 Steeple Clayton
O&K 7122 Exmoor Steam Railway (for sale?)
O&K 10956 / 10957 / 11309 / 12470 Preston Steam Services (for sale?)
O&K 9922 / 10701 Willenhall Commercial (for sale?)
Bagnall 1568 Staffordshire?
Henschel 15540 ex-Penrhyn (location unknown)
Hanomag 8282 Maybe scrapped?
Spence 21 Tuam, Co. Galway
K. Stuart 1098 / 1313 / 3025 location FMB Hampshire or TGS Staffordshire?
RSH 7430 Tanfield Railway - cosmetic restoration stopped?
Hawthorn 748 Tanfield Railway - frames in locked shed?

Any comments, greatfully received!

 

Bagnall 1568 is at Statfold, so should be ok.