The Linear Scrapyard: Which locos/coaches/wagons in it would you most like to see get restored ?

Apart from uncompleted pre-Grouping orders, I don't think the S.R. built any locomotive hauled non-corridor stock. Doesn't affect the basic validity of what you say.

PH

 

As indeed were a few others - LSWR 320, SECR 1061, 1050 (I slept in that one as a volunteer), the Maunsell brake (whose number escapes me just now) and so on. The trouble was that they were bought and put into service without much attention being given even though they were rough when withdrawn from BR. For example 320 had rotten or damaged panels plated over by BR. Then the railway had to put any available funds into purchasing the line, and it wasn't until the early 70's that the initial carriage shed came along - by which time the damage had been done. The Mets suffered the same fate (and were probably in worse condition initially) but those with vision (and the means to get funding from somewhere) saw a wonderful restoration carried out.

Although I've already stated a desire to see the Brighton Saloon restored, I would love to see these other coaches also restored - bear in mind they can earn their keep carrying passengers, and they have (authentic) underframes that came with them which the grounded bodies do not. In time I'm sure they will be, and are (or soon will be) a lot safer than they were.

Another Bluebell coach from the early days (although has never carried passengers in preservation) is the LCDR 6 wheeled brake (and it has an underframe - wooden - although I have no idea how much would need replacing). Now wouldn't that be nice...

Steve B

 

Another thought - in the early days of preservation railways neither had the facilities, or possibly even the skills to tackle in depth restorations. Their coaches might have been from a previous generation, but we now see the same process going on with the younger railways and their BR mk1s starting to need in depth restorations to keep them in service.

Steve B

 

That is Privately Owned and [to my knowledge] we have never had any intention to restore it.


That said, although I have never examined it in detail, the body appears to be simply a metal clad wooden structure. Simple, although perhaps expensive to replicate.

I'd certainly not consider it a 'basket case'.

 

If this isn't a basket case just what is?

This looks like GW 5539 - a vehicle which was in passenger service in the early days of the SVR. As far as I am aware it then went to Llangollen followed by Blaenavon before ending up at Winchcome GWSR. Somewhere in that history it has been allowed to go to rack & ruin & those involved are certainly NOT preservationists. Unfortunately the same fate looks likely to befall GW Autocoach No 38 at Telford and there are others where the owners are simply in denial.

 

It needs a hearts and minds shift for many Heritage Railway directors, all too often the facilities to maintain and store coaches are too far down the priority list. At Havenstreet we have a wonderful C&W works but it really is tiny, it will accommodate two bogie coaches. If it we were just expected to maintain the current working fleet it would probably suffice, trouble is where do we tackle the unique LCDR bogie coaches that we have, the IWR Oldbury bodies? Not forgetting that they will need underframes as well. This is not to single out Havenstreet but to show that even a Railway that is renown for its carriage restorations could benefit from improved facilities.

 

The coach was intact when it left Llangollen, but was allowed to deteriorate to its present state during its stay at Steamport Southport followed by Blaenavon.

 

Yes indeed Gary. It gives an idea of how unusual it was for a steam railway to have facilities of this sort fifteen years ago that it was opened by no less than H.M. The Queen! The IOWSR is a tiddler by the standards of some lines.

Paul H

 

The use of a road inside a carriage shed for the storage of wheel sets seems strange - couldn't it be better used for the undercover storage of rolling stock or out of service locos? - I've seen pics of locos such as the USA tank out in the open at the Bluebell

 

Is it undercover now? Every time I go past Didcot on the GWR train to Paddington I am horrified by the amount of vehicles standing outside

 

I dont think that road is actually connected yet, the carriage shed is brand new and I believe the stock in the picture is the first stock to be put under cover relatively recently.

 

This is very much a work in progress - I'm not sure that road is yet connected to anything! It certainly wasn't when the photo was taken. The intention is to use it as you say, although the USA tank is earmarked for cosmetic restoration and display in the "new" facility at Sheffield Park

Steve B

 

Strictly temporary. The shunt to get vehicles into the shed is a gradual process, in part because the connection to each road is being achieved by slewing a siding rather than a fan of pointwork (the building is for long term storage of vehicles awaiting restoration; not a running shed seeing frequent movements). When the next move can be made to put the next raft of vehicles inside, those wheels can be moved easily.

The USA tank is due to move into undercover storage and get a cosmetic restoration when the ASH project is completed.

Ultimately we don't have anywhere near enough undercover storage. On the other hand, we have the equivalent of about a dozen large locos and 40-odd full-size carriages, all of which has been built over the last two decades. We probably need close to the same again.

Tom

 

Going back to post #1, if (the remains of) that diesel loco contain asbestos then doing anything at all with it, even scrapping, is going to cost someone some money, probably more than the scrap value. If I were the owner I wouldn't be trying to find a buyer, even for £1, I'd be looking for a way to wash my hands of it without needing agreement from anyone else.

 

The owner is aware of the two coaches need a lot of TLC. I suggest that eyes and ears are kept open.......

 

The coach has been under cover for many years first in the Transfer a Shed, now deep in the back of the carriage shed.if anyone has a spare £200k or so, I am sure The GWS will be happy to listen to any plans.

 

There is a longish railway where there are scant facilities to restore any kind of rolling stock. This railways supporters however do produce a lot of hot air, which unfortunately does not dry out much of the rolling stock.

 

Surely this all boils down to the same old nutshells - private owners with no money, or can't be traced & gentleman's agreements when the stock, whatever it is 1st moved to the railway & now forgotten about & railways with more stock than money or resources, excluding private owner.........

I seem to remember the GCR a few years back put out an appeal for folks to own up to what they owned & either restore it or move it, or it went for scrap....... wonder what happened?

I'd love to see two things restored on the MHR - a Dance Hall brake & an Ironclad - both sadly privately owned & just sat there.

 

There are three Metropolitan Railway "Dreadnought" vehicles shown as preserved. The same name means different things to different people.

 

Would you be referring to our friends in S****s*t?