Will standard gauge steam railways ever be able to order a new loco ?

OTOH, it's their quirky appearance that appeals to me...

 

They look alright to me too, nice business like medium/small engine.

 

The standard gauge movement simply isn't short of suitable existing locos - it is though getting very short of serviceable ones. That is in contrast to the UK narrow gauge scene where there simply were not enough suitable locos in existence for service requirements necessitating new builds, something which is rather more affordable in narrow gauge.

So "trainspotting" aside there simply isn't a need to build yet more SG locos to operate heritage line services when there a plenty of candidates around needing repairs costing a fraction of the cost of a new loco and spending which need not all necessarily come at once. Folk too easily write off/generalise over the condition of ex Barry locos and locos of considerable age but each needs to be viewed on its actual condition.

The issue though may be one of ownership & you need not look far to find moribund owning groups who cling to ownership despite that not being the best future for their locomotive. That unfortunately can stand in the way of progress and redistribution of basically good locos to lines which need them.

 

My thoughts exactly. Well put.

 

The only locomotive capable of doing all that a heritage railway requires is a GWR 2-8-0 tank engine. Providing, of course, that the railway is not too long. Comments on a postcard!!!

 

To keep cost down:
4 feet drivers
Round top boiler with welded steel wide firebox
Outside valve gear
Copper capped chimney

 

A 9F is too big for any Line if you ask Me.

 

If a BR standard class 4 is the perfect engine according to PH, how about the Fowler 2-6-4t. And to attract Joe public you can paint it LMS crimson lake. Cheaper boiler as it's a very simple one to construct but very good loco.

 

A standard gauge version of "Abigail", you won't need the wide box though. Check out the work of Ian Gaylor.

 

More to the point though what about some brand new boilers?

 

Wide fireboxes are lower mass,have wider waterspaces,longer stays,less stay trouble.Over 4 feet drivers easely possible in UK.