South Devon Railway

Well like others I didn't see this coming, but it does make perfect sense once you think about it. The only thing I'm worried about is the volunteers who have put many hours of work into the restoration only for it to be sold to the highest bidder and go elsewhere. I had this happen to me with a much small restoration job, but it is very disheartening. I had put quite alot of effort into an engine expecting it to run on the CWR, but was very annoyed when it left shortly after overhaul - it did put me off volunteering for a little while.

So where will it go? As someone who just buys the magazines and has noinside knowledge here is my analysis for a bit of fun!

I'd put my money on WSR, as they are public of their intention to buy more engines and this one would seem ideal. But how much has the track problems dented their reserves?

P&DSR you would think might be interested, but they have just shelled out quite a lot on 4277. Do they really need another engine with 75014 on the way back?

The Bluebell are ploughing most of their resources into East Grinstead - but it would help ease their motive power problems. Would the die hards get upset at what could be seen as a GW invasion?

Great Central - the 04 and 8F can't have too long left on their tickets. Their finances seem to have improved over the past few years. They rely quite heavily on hiring in locos which I'm sure is something they may want to change in years to come.

Mid-Hants - they have bought 3 engines in quite a short amount of time, is there any money left? A 38xx wouldn't really be in keeping with the SR atmosphere. However with certain engines leaving in a few years time and the future of others uncertain it would make good sense to acquire a working engine which could pull anything.

Private Individual - can't be ruled out. Mr Hoskins/Waterman? Surely they have enough on their plates at the moment.

 

It will be interesting to see where 3803 does wind up, but there are lots more possibilities than those listed so far. There was talk of one of the new generation Welsh lines (Ammanford?) having a wealthy backer who wanted to buy a loco for that line, for example, and if there are any wealthy members of the Mid Norfolk wanting to introduce a permanent steam presence it could wind up there. Even the North Norfolk can't be ruled out - they seem to have had a lot of GWR visitors in recent times and seem to be hungry for more engines these days.

In other words, it could go anywhere and speculation is a bit pointless! (but fun!)

 

A member of staff said the engine would cost circa £600,000 to buy with 8 years left on its ticket.
Visited the railway twice at the weekend with my girlfriend Tasha during the real ale festival (Such a good idea!) and military vehicle weekend (Which was also good but I couldnt help feel was a bit lacklustre in comparison to previous '40s weekends at the railway, as a WW2 re-enactor myself).
Had a really good time and got shown around the footplate of 3803 and 5526, Tashas first time on the footplate and she loved it! We're going to return for the real ale festival and transport gala in september.
It is by far my favourite preserved railway in the UK.
Also, someone mentioned buckfastleigh is due to undergo a track remodelling, are provisions going to be made for a future northern extension?
As far as dumbleton hall is concerned, she does look rather sad stored out of traffic in the yard.
Maybe shunting her into the goods siding would be a good idea to raise awareness for her overhaul? As in, into the goods dock by the cafe, so she is the first engine people see when they arrive at the railway, being 'the' SDR locomotive. Requires minimal shunting (Glendower and the diesel need to be moved out of the shed to allow it though) and would be an attention-grabber. What do you think?

 

With the current economic crisis and tourism countrywide experiencing a slump it might be wise to 'hold fast' on spending and try and weather the storm. With this in mind is the 2-8-0 going to bring in enough customers to finance its own running compared to a tank engine? Or even to justify its enormous cost of rebuilding?

Here's a shot I just took of the webcam of 5526 running round for you all to enjoy by the way

 

And then leaving the station.

Any thoughts on my dumbleton hall repositioning?

 

The one at Havenstreet is due to be overhauled, the tank at Quainton Road is mainly done (both locos are/to be owned by the IoWSR when they are on the island) and while i dont know the state of the tender loco i suspect it would be a very expensive overhaul indeed.

Chris

 

Theres a rolling chassis of a locomotive at buckfastleigh, on the spur with the camping coach (Disconnected), what did/do they belong to?
To the right of the class 20 in this pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/B ... 001049.jpg

 

GWR 2-8-0 No. 2873

For another picture see here:

http://www.train-photos.com/picture/number1298.asp

(Not my photo I hasten to add)

 

Cheers fella

In case anyone cares I've uploaded my pics of the weekend in this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=15466

 

Rumpole's got it, that is the remains of 28xx class heavy freight no.2873. I think the SDR bought that chassis to provide a future set of replacement wheels for 3803 - presumably that will be surplus to requirements now?

Regards

Andrew

 

Oh no! Can I see an "Aberdare" replica project coming on!

 

What parts from a boilerless 28xx (with inside frames) is going to go to a 'Aberdare'?

Or have I missed something?

 

Bit of MDF, self tapping screws, and polyfilla, job done.

I wonder if the remains will be included with the sale of 3803 as a source of spares?

 

Perhaps the SDR could do the opposite of what the West Somerset did with 9351 - turning a Prairie tank into a Mogul-a-like tender engine - and re-engineer that chassis of 2873's into a 2-8-0 tank engine!

 

Wheels? Axleboxes? Brake hangers!!?

In case you missed the point, I was being facetious!

 

Corbs I think moving Dumbleton would be a great idea especially there where everyone can see the flagship loco, unfortunately I think that both her and Sapper need a little lick of paint before they look decent enough to be on display, shame though it seems a great idea.

Also you mentioned Glendower earlier I posted earlier that she has a nice shiny new boiler in place so maybe she may move under her own steam shortly?? If so then maybe she could shunt Dumbleton into place with her new found powers!!

As I said before I just hope 3803 goes somewhere good where she'll be looked after as years of hard work have gone into restoring her and it's a shame she has to leave but does make sense, she is a bit large for the line.

A manor would be nice though?? Theres a thought! It was the original plan with Lydham after all.

 

Sapper does need the saddle tank painting as a few bits have gone through, although the good old red oxide has been slapped on to protect it.
Doesnt look too bad though:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/B ... 001081.jpg

The Hall was rather faded in the yard and could do with some tarting up, but as you say it is the flagship loco and I think it would be great outside the main station to drum up support for its overhaul, and lets face it, the public come for the engines, wagons are a bonus! So why not give them something big and imposing as soon as they walk in?

How long has it been since Glendower last ran? I sneaked a peek in the shed also but she does look some way off steaming. (edit - noticed the shiny boiler though)

 

I never said Glendower was going to steam tommorrow as she is owned by a private individual who is apparently doing most of the work himself as far as I'm aware, but we have definately noticed progress. I believe she last steamed in sometime in 1992 (I'm sure I'll get corrected if I'm wrong)

As I said I believe moving her to where you suggest is a great idea but only after a lick of paint as obviously she isn't a very good advertisement at the moment. Although she has been moved a bit before so doing so again may not be as hard as it looks, as shes been where Ashley and Kitson are, in the Shed, the Running Shed and a few others but I think being there is the best idea yet.

 

Yeah too right, should be nice and shiny and presentable

I wasnt disagreeing with you btw, I know online forums can often give the wrong tone, sorry if it seemed like I was being knarky.

I was just thinking it was such a difference to when I was small and the austerities practically ran the railway! Surely Glendower is nearest to being completed? Its the only one I've never seen in action.