Schools Class "Cheltenham"

As long as the camera has been suitably shock prooved!

Chriss, As you are someone who is at the sharp end of 925's restoration, , how theasable would any plan be to investigate possible main line running be? and is there any interest from with in the MHR or bruce knight / NRM for 925 to possibly take 850's place for say 5 years to raise funds towards 850's overhaul? for instance, can the tpws and aws off 850 be re used? i take it that the main line support team from 60019 were mid hants people? either that or will the support crew who used to look after 850 be able to take on 925, i take it you still work to MT275 , or what ever has superceeded it, what is your personal thoughts about it?

 

At the present time there are NO plans to main line 925. Sorry folks.

 

Martin why are you obsess with 925 going main line? Are you going to help restore her/help on a support crew and would you travel behind her on a regular basis on the main line.

Thanks Anthony for putting the record straight. Now maybe we can remove away from this idea about going main line

 

Martin I enquired today at the MHR about mainline running for this engine, and although many of our volunteers (self included) have enjoyed mainline running in the past, the current policy at the MHR is that we are not interested in running engines on the mainline.

You will remember that we were involved in providing engines and stock for steam dreams and our own railtours in a big way a few years back.

My own opinion as to the reasons behind our decision to stop this are that mainline running took up a lot of volunteer/paid staff time and reduced our motive power availability. So as wonderful as it is to ride on an engne at 75 ish mph, that is our current policy which means that we concentrate our resources on our own operations.

 

The Bear - Jerry Dearmer? ( I might be thinking of a different Bear.) Was he in Trin Planning?

Hi Neil,

I saw Ian Wright yesterday, he reminded me that 'The Bear' is Martin Allen.

Alan

 

I must say I too am looking forward to seeing "Cheltenham" steaming again, she will be a fine asset to the MHR whether main line or not.

It is good to have Anthony on board this forum who can put us all straight when our imagination runs riot.

Roll on 2 years time if the predictions are true.

Regards
Chris

 

You are 100% spot on there Meic. I am now limiting my time here and with the UK steam scene because I am totally disgusted with the attitude of so many people closely involved with the UK steam Heritage scene. Aggressive, elitist, plain nasty, off handish etc etc. You name it you'll find it here and quite often out on the ground as well. "sod off , it's nothing to do with you" sums them up perfectly

I've never met it anywhere else in the railway scene. Austria, Germany, (East and West), or South Africa. Indeed in my long absence from the UK scene when I spent a lot of time closely involved with the German Heritage steam scene I was told by my German friends what to expect if I did rekindle my UK steam interest. The reputation was so bad that word had spread to some of them!

It doesn't mean there are not some really good people involved with steam in the UK. There are. I've debated with them here and I've met them as well. But sadly the nastiness from so many others just tends to swamp them.

Very sad. As I mentioned some time ago I was in a position to get closely involved financially with the UK steam scene. I have a clear track record of doing that with my overseas steam interests over a very long period of time. To me it would have been a massive involvement. Maybe a six figure sum every 6 - 7 years or so. But such has been my disgust at the prevalent UK attitude I pulled back and committed myself totally to a non railway, and very rewarding alternative cause.

I hope the mods don't pull our two posts. Maybe some reading them will think about that is posted here.

And if the mods want to take the debate elsewhere please move these two posts to a new thread, rather than bin them.

OH. And to get back to the Schools theme. A link to my recent web page of my very modest photos from 1961-1962. http://www.germansteam.info/1962/Schools/Schools.html

 

dont wrorry, as l said, Chris Smith and i are old friends and go back quite a way, at least he did find out from the powers that be what their stance would be.
Anyone who knows me , from my MHR days, knows that i still keep in touch, even though i am now involved with the KESR being my local railway as i stated in my answer i would have offered any help i was able to give and Chris knows this, but this subject is now closed as far as im concerned Antony has stated the NRM's position and thats that at the moment there are no plans to allow 925 to go mainline ,and we have to accept that

 

Well all, I never intended to come across as arrogant or elitist. I have done 23 years as a railway volunteer, and 10 less as a museum professional and can honestly say that I have enjoyed the company of all I've come across in the heritage railway world. My posts have become shorter and perhaps can be seen as abrupt as I made the decision after events earlier this year to scale back the amount of time I spent on the net in general - so now I tend to be fairly matter of fact, and if that offends, I'm sorry. I really am - as those of you who know me personally will tell.

 

I don't think the criticism was at you Anthony. The criticism was coming in my direction for over stepping the mark about 925 going main line. Sorry Martin for going over the top about 925 going main line.

 

Anthony no one should have a go at you, after all, you appear to be a force for good at the NRM KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

 

Dont worry Anthony, i really dont think that was aimed in your direction at all. I think everyone would agree that it'd be a shame to see less of you on this and other forums.

Chris

 

I think everyone should be grateful that Anthony and the rest at the NRM have allowed 30925 to be overhauled and be able to run on the Mid Hants and, hopefully, other Heritage Railways.

 

My dear Martin I have absolutely no objections at all, merely asking a question and hoping that nobody jumps down my throat for asking.

Regards
Chris: