Pre-1916 locos in steam in 2016

That's why I used a more flexible definition of "oldie" than just the date - some actually older locos are much more modern in concept. While on the other hand, cough, Dukedog, cough....
(Very sensible and economic way to produce useful locos which I think are great...)

 

Forgive me if this has been mentioned before but there is also Met No1, and as we have also been talking of preserved pre-1916 locos in general there is Met N023 in the museum - "wouldn't it be nice" to see that one in steam...

Steve B

 

Several of the classic GWR six wheeled tank engine classes, Metros, 517s and early 0-6-0T started out in the late 1860s. but only later examples lasted beyond the 1930s, and it must be said that their post War appearance of even the early ones was utterly different to the way they looked in 1870 ...

 

OK, I have tried to incorporate the comments, here's the revised table:



For anyone who wants to see what I've put where, or make their own (better!) version, the Excel file is in the zip attached.

 

I think the list above is a good summary. So how does this compare to the new-build projects actually making some real progress?
As far as I know, none of the new-builds with even the slightest prospect of running within the lifetime of anyone reading this would fit into the above categories...!
The only exception would be the case of the LNWR Bloomer at Tyseley - which just goes to show how tragic it is that this seems to have remained frozen at the 90% finished mark for a quarter of a century! Perhaps more could be done to get this re-started, and if Tyseley is not interested, could it be sold to someone who is (not that I have a name in mind). Surely this loco is worth giving higher priority in historical education terms that just another 1920s or 1930s 4-6-0 of a type which has several operating examples? Yes, I appreciate the larger loco will be more commercially viable in most cases...
It also goes to show how much of the new-build movement is about sentiment for particular, later, classes which are well photographed, recorded in many books and remembered by older enthusiasts, rather than trying to fill real gaps in the preserved loco fleet in the UK.

 

Based on Tom's other two categories of missing types (which I would agree with), i.e.:

and then checking against railways which are especially poorly represented, and which had celebrated types in the above categories, my shortlists for the next new-build projects would be.... (drum roll):

• The class British late Victorian passenger engine would be the 4-4-0, and I would say a GSWR Manson 4-4-0, or a Caledonian Dunalastair, or a Highland Small Ben would all be filling a glaring gap (especially the first or last) as well as respresenting a wider "type". Outside Scotland, perhaps a L&Y 4-4-0 (Barton Wright 6' or Aspinall 7'3'' Flyer)? Probably the most celebrated missing 4-4-0 types from a slightly later era are the LNWR George V and GER Claud Hamilton, both of which do have new-build projects, the former of which may even get somewhere eventually (and the LNWR was one of if not the pre-eminent pre-grouping company, and is not at all well represented).
• Amongst passenger tanks, it would seem to me that a North Staffs 4-4-2T, a Furness 4-6-4T or a GCR Robinson 4-6-2T would be filling the most egregious gaps - the latter were very well regarded, and would be extremely useful.

OK, so who's got a chequebook with nothing better to do?!?!

 

IMHO the only one likely to earn its keep would be the G.C.R. 4-6-2T.

PH

 

I agree! But as we know, there is more heart than head in this movement, and special interests will probably mean we get a complete set of Class 6plus locos of dubious utility before we get a useful, efficient, historically significant Class 4 loco designed for hauling typical preserved railway weight trains typical preserved railway length distances...

 

I like the idea of a GCR 4-6-2 tank as well. They were regarded as good engines, in fact preferred to the much later Thompson L1s. The LNWR George V I think is a reasonable choice, a fairly simple design from a railway not particularly well represented in preservation and, by all accounts, they were excellent haulers, should be well able to cope with 5 or 6 Mark 1s/2s which are the usual loading on a heritage line

 

'Earn its keep' . Most preserved locos do not 'earn their keep', they are preserved because people want to preserve them. If we were concerned about 'earning their keep' we'd probably build replicas with a diesel (or these days battery electric) motor in the tender. The grockles wouldn't know the difference. If you doubt me talk to some non-railway folk about their 'Hogwarts Experience' .

I'd have thought any of the big tanks woud be useful and would certainly be something different, especially the various Baltics.

 

Every tourist railway (for that is what they are) has to think about the bottom line. Gricer's wheezes need to be moderated.

PH

 

North Staffs had more 0-6-4 tanks (8 New C passenger tanks 8 New F freight, identical other than different wheel diameters) than 4-4-2 (one class of 7, K class) which would be interesting can't think of any 0-6-4s in preservation? They weren't bad on the haulage front, with a 4P and a 5F under the LMS system. The K class was only a 3P by comparison.

 

SLNCR 0-6-4T 'Lough Erne' is preserved by the RPSI at Whitehead.
Lovely looking loco, however it seems unlikely to return to steam as it is deemed a little too small for RPSI operations.


Keith

 

Mersey Rail 'Cecil Raikes' is one. It would certainly be interesting to see it restored

 

Hello,
Another Ex Mersey 0-6-4 in Aus.

Nick

 

Quite so. Many locos owned by individuals or groups effectively underwrite their host railway as to charge a realistic steaming fee would be rather more than the railway could afford. Hence the need for other fund raising by the owners to keep the bank balance healthy.

 

Even more reason to think about the cost of running the things.

PH

 

It may come as a surprise but a lot of us do this because we enjoy it, not to make money. Has anyone actually made money from owning a loco in preservation? Even if they have there must be many easier ways of earning a crust.

 

Indeed there is, The Major. Now all I need is a big lotto win and a little less sense.....