Evening Star to run at Loughborough

[alexl92]

I've seen the cover of the most recent edition of Steam Railway which states that 92220 Evening Star is to run at Loughborough. I thought this loco was retired; anyone know what's happening here?

 

[edwin_m]

92214 was there in green livery last time I visited (October). Perhaps it is a number/name swap?

 

[sprinterguy]

92214 was there in green livery last time I visited (October). Perhaps it is a number/name swap?

That is indeed correct.

http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/2015/02/evening-star-lives-again-on-the-gcr/

Great Central Railway 9F locomotive swaps identities to bring national treasure to life

A remarkable piece of railway history is coming back to life at the Great Central Railway. The mighty 9F locomotive based at the line, No.92214, is taking on a new identity as famous classmate No.92220 ‘Evening Star’.

The real ‘Evening Star’ still exists and is on display at the National Railway Museum in York. However, there are no plans for it to return to steam. Now with the agreement of the NRM and the support of the locomotive owner, Cromwell Tools, No.92214 (which is painted in the same distinctive lined Brunswick Green livery as its classmate) will assume the name and number of ‘Evening Star’ and a new generation will see a recreation of this icon of the 1960s.

The 9Fs were among the largest steam locomotives ever built in this country. In service in the 1950s they earned the nickname spaceships! ‘Evening Star’ has however, a particularly special place in Britain’s Railway history. It was the last steam locomotive to be built by BR being turned out of Swindon Works in March, 1960. It was assigned to the Western Region and worked on humble freights and prestigious passenger express services before being withdrawn in 1965 – a scandalously short working life of five years.

“We’re delighted to be bringing back ‘Evening Star’ for a new generation,’ said Bill Ford, Managing Director of the GCR ‘and of course we’re very grateful to Cromwell Tools and the National Railway Museum who have supported the plan.”

The new identity will first appear at the Great Central’s Railways at Work event on 18th & 19th April. Besides the 9F locomotive, period vehicles will arrive at Quorn & Woodhouse station yard to show how the railways moved freight around the country becoming a lifeline to towns and villages ahead of the age of mass road transportation.

New nameplates will be made for No.92214 for the identity swap, together with other detailed features such as small brass plaques commemorating No.92220 as BR’s final steam locomotive. Already a number of photographer’s charters have been arranged with the re-born ‘Evening Star’ which will look at home on the GCR double track main line.

 

[Jonfun]

Is this the same GCR who every ten minutes complain that their railway shouldn't be a "theme park", and now are playing dress-up with a perfectly good engine?

 

[duffield]

Is this the same GCR who every ten minutes complain that their railway shouldn't be a "theme park", and now are playing dress-up with a perfectly good engine?

I would guess they may feel that in principle and in a general way their railway shouldn't be a "theme park" but also think that in this specific case they have got a commercial opportunity available which is too good to turn down...

 

[341o2]

Didn't the Mid Hants change the identity of one of their Bulleid pacifics to 34045 Ottery St Mary which was in fact scrapped in 1965, more recently Bittern ( I think) became 4492 Dominion of New Zealand

 

[sprinterguy]

Didn't the Mid Hants change the identity of one of their Bulleid pacifics to 34045 Ottery St Mary which was in fact scrapped in 1965, more recently Bittern ( I think) became 4492 Dominion of New Zealand

"Bittern" has suffered from something of a long running identity crisis, masquerading as 2509 "Silver Link" in the late eighties/early nineties following a cosmetic restoration. Sticking with the theme of A4s, 60009 "Union of South Africa" appeared on the main line as "Osprey" around the same time, during 1990, which was the name it was originally allocated before becoming one of the five dedicated "Coronation" locos.

There are many examples of preserved locomotives being renumbered as lost classmates, not least with larger locomotives that can represent famous "namers".

 

[43167]

Oh no, not another game of musicial numbers. Pointless practice and one I don't like.

 

[alexl92]

I don't mind a loco being renamed/numbered as a lost sister but when the loco in question still exists, it seems silly. The owners of 92214 seem to be playing livery bingo with her as well. IMHO the lined BR Black was in interesting alternative to the usual but I do feel that only 92220 should be in green.

 

[theblackwatch]

I don't mind a loco being renamed/numbered as a lost sister but when the loco in question still exists, it seems silly. The owners of 92214 seem to be playing livery bingo with her as well. IMHO the lined BR Black was in interesting alternative to the usual but I do feel that only 92220 should be in green.

I quite agree. What next, an A4 owner doing up a loco as 'Mallard'?

 

[alexl92]

I quite agree. What next, an A4 owner doing up a loco as 'Mallard'?

Thankfully Hosking has too much sense to try it with Bittern!

 

[chris89]

Didn't the Mid Hants change the identity of one of their Bulleid pacifics to 34045 Ottery St Mary which was in fact scrapped in 1965, more recently Bittern ( I think) became 4492 Dominion of New Zealand

Taw Valley 34027 became Ottery St Mary and just before withdrawn after boiler it was Westward Ho. The locomotive is based at the SVR.

Chris

 

[Johnny_w]

Meh. What the hell says I!

It's not like we are likely to see 92220 work under her own steam, so a half decent facsimile will do.

I'll be there