Save brockelbank line
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Bulliedline
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Save brockelbank line
we need to help brocklebank line MN class does anyone own it and what do you think should happen to it
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Bulliedline
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Why?
We already have Clan Line and CanPac. There is only a finite amount of money available to fund restoration, and even fewer volunteers. To start on yet another Bullied "Semi Britannia" will reduce still further the amount of money and manpower available, not only to the two existing Bullieds and all the othe West Country/BoB groups, but to other projects. It's taken Pete Waterman's money and over thirty years to get the Super D back into working order - a class far more worthy of restoration than another Bullied as it is the last remaining example of one of a few LNWR designs left after Stanier scrapped most (including those kept for preservation). That's without all the struggling Modern Traction outfits desperate fro funds and resources, like the unique CoBo, the extremely valuable Lightweight Derby DMU, something that in the history of railways is a bit more significant than many duplicated steam classes, or even the AC Loco Group.
I predict now that with less money coming in and fewer volunteers we will be seeing an increasing number of currently working steam locos stuffed and mounted over the next ten years, because of lack of money and people with time and skills to help out. I also expect at least one or two of the less well known steam preservation sites/lines will close. The big lines (KWVR, SVR, Bluebell) and those with the lucky co-incidence of tourist centres nearby (NNR, IoWR) will survive, but many newer lines will be hit by the fact that there are fewer enthusiasts willing to volunteer, and too many people after the enthusiasts pound.
It's time to get real - stop duplicating already exisiting stock, concentrate on keeping what we've got and on preserving important items for the future. I mean, just how many 37's, 47's or 50's do we really need when there are plenty of rusting hulks parked in sidings around the country, most of which will just crumble away before anyone can lift a finger to restore them?
We already have Clan Line and CanPac. There is only a finite amount of money available to fund restoration, and even fewer volunteers. To start on yet another Bullied "Semi Britannia" will reduce still further the amount of money and manpower available, not only to the two existing Bullieds and all the othe West Country/BoB groups, but to other projects. It's taken Pete Waterman's money and over thirty years to get the Super D back into working order - a class far more worthy of restoration than another Bullied as it is the last remaining example of one of a few LNWR designs left after Stanier scrapped most (including those kept for preservation). That's without all the struggling Modern Traction outfits desperate fro funds and resources, like the unique CoBo, the extremely valuable Lightweight Derby DMU, something that in the history of railways is a bit more significant than many duplicated steam classes, or even the AC Loco Group.
I predict now that with less money coming in and fewer volunteers we will be seeing an increasing number of currently working steam locos stuffed and mounted over the next ten years, because of lack of money and people with time and skills to help out. I also expect at least one or two of the less well known steam preservation sites/lines will close. The big lines (KWVR, SVR, Bluebell) and those with the lucky co-incidence of tourist centres nearby (NNR, IoWR) will survive, but many newer lines will be hit by the fact that there are fewer enthusiasts willing to volunteer, and too many people after the enthusiasts pound.
It's time to get real - stop duplicating already exisiting stock, concentrate on keeping what we've got and on preserving important items for the future. I mean, just how many 37's, 47's or 50's do we really need when there are plenty of rusting hulks parked in sidings around the country, most of which will just crumble away before anyone can lift a finger to restore them?
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Christopher125
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Hi
Just to add to the last post, I do hate it when I hear of a diesel being bought by a 'private collector' for 10 of thousands of pounds simply because they remember seeing it back in their trainspotter days - I mean, why dont they just get another loco group's engine and ask them to change the number etc for a photo charter. Wasting money on modern traction which wont be doing anything is just pointless.
Chris
Just to add to the last post, I do hate it when I hear of a diesel being bought by a 'private collector' for 10 of thousands of pounds simply because they remember seeing it back in their trainspotter days - I mean, why dont they just get another loco group's engine and ask them to change the number etc for a photo charter. Wasting money on modern traction which wont be doing anything is just pointless.
Chris
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davesrailwayphotos
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So the GCR ISNT a scrapyard then? wow learn something new every day.
On a more serious note.. isn't this one of the loco's thats been served an evictiion notice along with 61264? Being totally honest this engine is nothing ''special'' there are other members of the class preserved in far better overall condition, and this loco does not have a special historical purpose, like for example mallard. (or 'essence of mallard') Whilst i would most definetly not advocate it being scrapped in the sense that so many locomotives were in the 50's/60's with your head on it must be seen that by doing this loco back to a decent standard will not only cost the moeny involved, but also possibly take money away from other loco's in the class on mainline duties.
Would it not be possible to offer parts to other merchant navy / bullied groups and then scrap or keep in storage the rest of the locomotive. A regulary forgotten fact is that the preservation movement has scrapped three locos, the SVR a pannier tank, the NYMR an S15 and i can't remember the other
On a more serious note.. isn't this one of the loco's thats been served an evictiion notice along with 61264? Being totally honest this engine is nothing ''special'' there are other members of the class preserved in far better overall condition, and this loco does not have a special historical purpose, like for example mallard. (or 'essence of mallard') Whilst i would most definetly not advocate it being scrapped in the sense that so many locomotives were in the 50's/60's with your head on it must be seen that by doing this loco back to a decent standard will not only cost the moeny involved, but also possibly take money away from other loco's in the class on mainline duties.
Would it not be possible to offer parts to other merchant navy / bullied groups and then scrap or keep in storage the rest of the locomotive. A regulary forgotten fact is that the preservation movement has scrapped three locos, the SVR a pannier tank, the NYMR an S15 and i can't remember the other
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dikkidee
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After 25 years of dedication, time and effort I hope members of the Brocklebank Line Association don't read this thread.
I am glad such negativity like the comments on this thread did'nt exist in the 60's because if they did we would'nt have the amount of locos we have running or "stuffed" today they would have scrapped the blooming lot - niether would we have the fine preserved railways that we have, not just preserved railways but also centres of engineering excellence.
Perhaps if the 'Modern Railway' enthusiasts had less negativity they would see more of their classic deisels kept.
In the 60's nobody ever thought there would be the acheivement there is today but look around you and see what has been acheived it's nothing short of a miracle all done by bloody mindedness, dedication, and downright hard work with the sprit not to give up!
There is a saying that 95% of people never have a goal - but 95% of people that do have a goal achieve it.
So come on you modernists stop whinging, giving up, settling for the inevitable - get a goal and make it happen us oldies won't be around for ever.
Finally let me give you an example. back in 1987 I came upon 34070 Manston stuck up a disused siding at the now closed Richborough Power station in Kent. An old fella was working on refurbishing one of the oil engines from the running plate. I had a long and interesting conversation with him amongst other things the length of time to restore the engine. He said to me that if they had the money the engine could be running within six months as it is it will be lucky if it runs in thirty years however he said with great conviction "One day it will run again, perhaps not in my lifetime, but it will run again " Well 34070 is now at the Swanage Railway in the latter stages of its restoration with the expectation that it will be running in 2006 - I just hope that old fella is around to see it!! Thats Dedication chaps - not defeatism.
I am glad such negativity like the comments on this thread did'nt exist in the 60's because if they did we would'nt have the amount of locos we have running or "stuffed" today they would have scrapped the blooming lot - niether would we have the fine preserved railways that we have, not just preserved railways but also centres of engineering excellence.
Perhaps if the 'Modern Railway' enthusiasts had less negativity they would see more of their classic deisels kept.
In the 60's nobody ever thought there would be the acheivement there is today but look around you and see what has been acheived it's nothing short of a miracle all done by bloody mindedness, dedication, and downright hard work with the sprit not to give up!
There is a saying that 95% of people never have a goal - but 95% of people that do have a goal achieve it.
So come on you modernists stop whinging, giving up, settling for the inevitable - get a goal and make it happen us oldies won't be around for ever.
Finally let me give you an example. back in 1987 I came upon 34070 Manston stuck up a disused siding at the now closed Richborough Power station in Kent. An old fella was working on refurbishing one of the oil engines from the running plate. I had a long and interesting conversation with him amongst other things the length of time to restore the engine. He said to me that if they had the money the engine could be running within six months as it is it will be lucky if it runs in thirty years however he said with great conviction "One day it will run again, perhaps not in my lifetime, but it will run again " Well 34070 is now at the Swanage Railway in the latter stages of its restoration with the expectation that it will be running in 2006 - I just hope that old fella is around to see it!! Thats Dedication chaps - not defeatism.
Creator of Mid East Steam era and The Withered Arm.
Great Western? Is'nt that the branch line that joins the Southern at Reading?
Great Western? Is'nt that the branch line that joins the Southern at Reading?
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davesrailwayphotos
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Dikkidee there are two things you seem to confuse. Defeatisim and realisim (Please don't consider this a personal attack)
If Brooklbank line (From here on refered to as 35025) was a unique example of a type of motive power, in this case the merchant navy class, then it is for the good of all preservationists if it is restored because we get to see a diffrent type of machine avalible. As it is though we have 35028, Clan Line, which has been a performer on the main line for many years until it was taken out of traffic for restoration and is now being restored to its' former glory, probably at a lesser cost.
Put your hand on your heart, and say what would you rather see if they cost exactly the same to reapir. 35025, or a unique example of a class, such as the Super D ? Without wishing to sound judgmental surely the Super D is more 'valubale' to the preservation movement than another merchant navy?
On the other hand if someone, like Pete Waterman for example, was to come along and say 'Oh i'll restore 35025 and pay for it' then i say let him. But this will end up taking money away from possibly more worthy projects. After all how much money does preservation have?
What also has to be remembered is we are all 'train fans' or whatever phrase you wish to use. Most people who ride on preserved railways can't tell the diffrence between an A3 and a V2 let alone between two diffrent members of the merchant navy class. These people are the ones who fund our hobby and allow us to carry on 'playing trains'. If the normal public dry up then so will our hobby and we will have no steam locomotives. A case in point of this is the GCR for years it has been marketed as the enthusiasts line, but what sort of debts has it posted year on year? We need to firstly provide for the 'train ride' people, and secondly for ourselves really.
I hope this all makes sense.
If Brooklbank line (From here on refered to as 35025) was a unique example of a type of motive power, in this case the merchant navy class, then it is for the good of all preservationists if it is restored because we get to see a diffrent type of machine avalible. As it is though we have 35028, Clan Line, which has been a performer on the main line for many years until it was taken out of traffic for restoration and is now being restored to its' former glory, probably at a lesser cost.
Put your hand on your heart, and say what would you rather see if they cost exactly the same to reapir. 35025, or a unique example of a class, such as the Super D ? Without wishing to sound judgmental surely the Super D is more 'valubale' to the preservation movement than another merchant navy?
On the other hand if someone, like Pete Waterman for example, was to come along and say 'Oh i'll restore 35025 and pay for it' then i say let him. But this will end up taking money away from possibly more worthy projects. After all how much money does preservation have?
What also has to be remembered is we are all 'train fans' or whatever phrase you wish to use. Most people who ride on preserved railways can't tell the diffrence between an A3 and a V2 let alone between two diffrent members of the merchant navy class. These people are the ones who fund our hobby and allow us to carry on 'playing trains'. If the normal public dry up then so will our hobby and we will have no steam locomotives. A case in point of this is the GCR for years it has been marketed as the enthusiasts line, but what sort of debts has it posted year on year? We need to firstly provide for the 'train ride' people, and secondly for ourselves really.
I hope this all makes sense.
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arabiandisco
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Whilst it would be nice to see 35025 run again, there are plenty of preserved MNs (though only Canpac is actually operational AFAIK). I hope the owners get it running again, and I am sure that eventually iy will.
I personally believe there are other causes which are more deserving of my disposable income, however, and if this one was lost it wouldn't be quite as significant a loss (to the overall picture) as if something like the Q1 was scrapped.
I personally believe there are other causes which are more deserving of my disposable income, however, and if this one was lost it wouldn't be quite as significant a loss (to the overall picture) as if something like the Q1 was scrapped.
Having a brain bypass
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