Next New Build to be completed

I think 6880 has brand new frames. The frames from Willington Hall went to the County project and the boiler went to 6880.

 

Bound to be some confusion. There is that much pick and mix going on with these GWR "new builds".

 

I am happy to bow to your superior knowledge

The drawbacks of GWR standardisation

 

Seems 2999 is getting nearer, since the tender rebuild is about complete, and cladding is to go on soon.

 

As I'm sure many of you are aware, 6880 Betton Grange is now at the NEC for the forthcoming Warley Model Railway Event. I'm not a member of the Betton Grange Group but I know some of the people involved and I've always been impressed with this reincarnation of a missing link in the GWR 4-6-0 "chain". Some images are on the 6880 pages:
https://www.facebook.com/6880BettonGrangeSocietyLtd

Whilst 6880 currently has 5952 Cogan Hall's boiler fitted for the display whilst its own (from 7929 - Willington Hall) is overhauled and prepared for use, it certainly looks every inch the "Hall with smaller wheels" (not quite as simple as that of course!) and this, alleged, "Engineman's Engine" will be a treat to see when its up and running and it will, in my view, be a useful addition to the Llangollen Fleet. Soon enough, we will be able to witness the entire GWR 4-6-0 family, from the "Saint" to the "County". Whether this warrants the demise of some of the "Barry Ten" locos is a matter of much debate we know but all of the latter exist already in working order. So, if anyone is visiting the NEC this weekend (I'm unable to do so regrettably) some photos would be welcomed!

 

All GW 4-6-0's look the same! I'm joking! Crikey is it Warley already? Last time I went there I was 14 and 922203 was the Star. Ruddy hell!

 

For those who haven't yet seen the latest from the narrow-gauge forum ('Lyn'), this is how their 'next new-build' contender is shaping up:

 

Ntce picture. Piston valves seem far from "straight ported" though!

PH

 

Nice to see two 'outlines from the past' reappearing this week, this along with the Grange, excellent...

 

Perchance it doth awaken from it's slumber...

 

Is it known why the original Lyn was built as a 2-4-2 rather than 2-6-2 like all the other L&B locos? Having one less driving axle would mean either less total adhesion weight or a much higher axle loading, either of which would seem to be undesirable.

 

Having caught up with the news this last week - isn't it wonderful? This year we've seen the Star take leaps forward, the Grange too. Lyn looks amazing: the outline of a Gresley P2 has reawakened. There's a standard 3MT coming on in spades and there's a Brighton Atlantic preparing to receive its boiler once overhauled. Many more besides.

Every time someone asks me if the future of preservation is bleak, I look to the new builds. It's only bleak if we make it bleak. Yes, there are clear issues that need addressing in how we finance, support, and develop our preserved railways but the determination and ingenuity on show is always inspirational.

 

What's the old proverb? May you live in intresting times? We are certainly living in those! As I mentioned in a previous post there were 3 new builds on show at Bridgnorth last weekend. Much as some might want us to think, I don't think we're sailing into a black hole just yet!

 

Which Star would that be?


Keith

 

I think he means the "Saint", 2999 at Didcot! This project seems to have been going on for years, but it must be close to completion now. I believe that the project was originally launched back in the early 1980s but was put on hold because of a lack of financial interest at the time - was this the case or am I getting confused.com ?

 

I realise that - just thought it was too good an opportunity to raise a laugh! I half expected a certain person to jump in to announce that he was building a Star...


Keith

 

On the Saint I have a copy of an article from 1973 with the plan to convert Maindy Hall. That would make it one of the oldest 'new builds'. Unless you know different..

 

As far as I recall a loco was needed urgently and UK builders couldn't oblige so the order went to Baldwin who supplied the nearest they could to the spec.

 

Maindy was secured to build the Saint in the 70's, however the project only really kicked off in the mid 90's.

Its interesting that the Grange (rightly) is billed as the 'engineman's locomotive' as I was always told that the drivers all got dewy eyed in the 1960's when reminiscing about their Saints!