SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

Welcome back to Shropshire 73129

Manged to catch 73129 heading the 12.20 from Kidderminster whilst climbing Erdington Bank,; this engine has a very loud and sharp exhaust, probably courtesy of the poppet valves. Talking to one of the footplate crew at Bridgnorth, he suggested that 73129 is indeed loud, but could be stronger on the climbs, perhaps all of that energy is released as noise and not tractive effort!! Anyway, I, for one, am very glad to see this particular loco working on my local railway and back in the County where it started off it's working life. I will be returning to "listen" to it's soundtrack again very soon.

Photos are at Erdington Bank and Bridgnorth awaiting departure on the 14.00 to Kidderminster.

 

On the SVR wagons thread Olly5764 says the goods training is off

Patrick

 

Erlestoke Manor Fund Facebook:
"BREAKING NEWS
7812 Erlestoke Manor is confirmed to be taking part in the Mid Hants Railways Autumn Steam Spectacular in October.
For more information check out the Mid Hants website or our events page here on Facebook".

https://www.facebook.com/ErlestokeManorFund?fref=nf

Patrick

 

Either I should have gone to Specsavers or you've edited your post (which I see you have)!

 

73129 sounded fantastic yesterday, hope the SVR decide to keep her on past the summer. And it was great having 1450 out and about.

5 locos in steam, anywhere else that is a gala. On the SVR it is simply a Sunday.

 

A minor aside, but the 3 rostered sets this week (Mon-Fri) are non-Mark 1 (in fact from now till friday lunch time only one mark 1 is in ordinary passenger use, the buffet on the GW set). I know a number of people appreaciate the use of non-mark 1 stock so I thought I'd pass the message on.

 

Mini Gala this coming Thursday 17th July with roster showing:
1501 on BN1
43106 on BS1
4566 on BS2
7812 on Goods Charter - 2 return trips
1450 on Auto Train footplate experience
Further detail here, timetables etc: http://www.svrlive.com/Pages/TrafficNotices.aspx

 

Picture on FB of 75069's tender tank being reattached to it's chassis
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1510812325819585&set=gm.811892168841840&type=1
2047 Warwickshire has had it's frames lifted today
https://twitter.com/SVREngsteam/status/487525683540000768/photo/1

 

Mini gala does look impressive. Think I'll have to make another trip up the Valley. And I was only there yesterday. Only one of the three locomotives hauling service trains yesterday will also be hauling service trains next Thursday. Incredible.

Hagley Hall was sat outside the back of the boiler shop and 2047 was sitting out front with steam crane. 2807 was there too, thought there didn't seem to be much activity going on with her even though she was meant to be on one of the service trains that day (replaced by the Standard 5). The other thing I noticed was the line by the side of the carriage shed at Kidderminster had been cleared (normally is has had various items of stocks filling up half of it). Anyone know why they may have been moved?

Sir Keith Park did a few runs back and forth in the yard testing something. Gave me a fright when she went by. I was sat in a Mk1 and SKP propelled 1501, but due to the slow pace and amount of steam, it looked as though 1501 was doing the work but there was no one in the cab!

 

I see that 1501 is off the NVR to cover there santa specials as 1501 does not have the water capacity to run the service with 8 coaches and provide heat.
The green 9 f being hired in as a replacement maybe this does show there is a need for the larger locos

 

This year will, Hopefully be the last year of hiring in for the SVR barring any major failures (goes hunting for some wood to touch). With 7802 and 34027 due back next year along with 813 for the smaller end of the scale.

 

I know the accountants will probably agree with your statement, but as an enthusiast it has been nice to see the variety of motive power that has been hired over the last few years in regular, every day service.

 

I completely agree. Being on the ground as a cleaner its been interesting seeing how different railways have restored the locos compared to the mods the SVR have made on locos.

 

I agree the variety has been good and I have visited more time then I would of if only the usual locos had been in use.

 

For completeness: "Current projections so (sic) 34027, 7802, 813 and 7714 being completed by the end of 2015" - MPD update October 2014.

Of these, as you say, the first two only will meet the requirements for Santa Special trains and added to 7812, 2847, 34053 and 43106 would give (if all in service) six class 4 or above engines. By the same token 1501, 4566, 7714 and 813 would be available as smaller engines for steam heating and lighter 'Heralds' trains, for hire or for winter maintenance.

Patrick

 

Having just checked, the Heralds are 8 coach trains and go as far as Highley...so while the smaller locos could have a go, best not to.

 

Hate to start a livery debate but do we know what livery 7714's making an apperance in? I quite liked it in black especially with all those rivets on the tanks

 

You should be happy then as she's returning in black. See here:

http://khardy.zenfolio.com/p285142245/h3abd1e33#h3abd1e33

 

To quote a certain Col John Hannibel 'Beautiful'

 

I stand corrected - thanks

Patrick