Hypothetical: New Builds for particular railways?

[alexl92]

A new take on the 'What's your dream new-build project' idea:

If each heritage line in the UK were able to re-create a lost class of loco which is in some way appropriate, significant or linked to that line, either geographically or historically, what would be good options for the various lines? Assuming that funds would be available as required of course!

As examples, the Middleton Railway may, in this theoretical world, look to re-create a lost example of an industrial Hudswell Clarke, Hunslet, Manning Wardle or E.B. Wilson design, owing to its being almost over the road from the main Leeds engine-building sites. Alternatively, the GCR might try and build an original GCR passenger design, or Gwili may aim to re-create a member of a long-scrapped Taff Vale class. I cant think of specific class examples right now but I'm sure you get the idea.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

A full-size, standard gauge version of a double Fairlie would be impressive, but the nearest to its "spiritual home" would have to be the Llangollen or the Gwili.

 

[AM9]

How about a new build GE Decapod. It's tractive effort could easily pull a set of quin-art set or two from Liverpool St., up to Bethnal Green. That would be for a mainline special. It would make mincemeat of the slopes North Norfolk Railway.

If the the quin-art sets couldn't be cleared for passenger use there's always the 442s available.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

The newbuild I'll like, is a LNER J70 Class Tram Engine. AKA Toby The Tram Engine from the Railway Series. These ran from Wisbech so the Nene Valley Railway would be good. Only one original steam tram engine is left in existence globally and that's a German built one in South America.

 

[Monty]

I'd like to see Urie's handsome H16 4-6-2Ts be recreated as a new build project in the future, they wouldn't entirely be an impractical choice either and well suited for heavy trains on the longer preserved railways. Will never happen though unfortunately.

 

[Phil.]

A Gresley V4 would be nice - providing the operators could put up with the typically maintenance-heavy side of a Gresley engine.

 

[markindurham]

A new Gresley A8 (rebuild of the Raven H1s) would be interesting, I think, along with a Worsdell/Raven A6. Either would be at home on the NYMR

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

The newbuild I'll like, is a LNER J70 Class Tram Engine. AKA Toby The Tram Engine from the Railway Series. These ran from Wisbech so the Nene Valley Railway would be good. Only one original steam tram engine is left in existence globally and that's a German built one in South America.

I disagree - there is one in Hull's transport museum!

If I could choose, it would either be brand new pacers OR a modern version of Big Bertha!

 

[Mvann]

An A5 for the GCR or a Rememberance Tank for the Bluebell.

 

[satisnek]

How about Peak Rail building a Blue Pullman set?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I disagree - there is one in Hull's transport museum!

If I could choose, it would either be brand new pacers OR a modern version of Big Bertha!

Aaaaaaarghhhh! NO!

How about Peak Rail building a Blue Pullman set?

Could maybe do a "baby Deltic" and reverse-engineer a HST set once they've been retired, stick some Mk2s in the middle...

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

*wags finger in disapproving manner at 61653 HTAFC*

Nothing wrong with pacers at all... New ones built to modern standards might just actually work

 

[61653 HTAFC]

*wags finger in disapproving manner at 61653 HTAFC*

Nothing wrong with pacers at all... New ones built to modern standards might just actually work

The main flaw with pacers is the rigid chassis as opposed to bogies. Essentially we already have "railbuses" with bogies in the form of the 153/155 units.

 

[70014IronDuke]

A Gresley V4 would be nice - providing the operators could put up with the typically maintenance-heavy side of a Gresley engine.

Exactly my choice, and exactly my proviso. Apart from a P2 - probably the ultimate in GB steam power (and which I understand is going ahead), I don't see much else as realistic. A 4-6-0 County, perhaps, but personally, I can't see much point in recreating a Patriot, and why anyone is interested in recreating a Clan, one of the most inconsequential designs ever, is totally beyond me.

 

[DasLunatic]

Could a GER Claud Hamilton be built, and used as a backup locomotive on Norwich fasts? AFAIK, these has quite a bit of grunt behind them, and at one point were the mainstay of the GEML.

 

[alexl92]

Exactly my choice, and exactly my proviso. Apart from a P2 - probably the ultimate in GB steam power (and which I understand is going ahead), I don't see much else as realistic. A 4-6-0 County, perhaps, but personally, I can't see much point in recreating a Patriot, and why anyone is interested in recreating a Clan, one of the most inconsequential designs ever, is totally beyond me.

The Patriot is about filling the gap in the LMS timeline of locomotives. We have Jubilees, Scots, Princesses and Duchesses; Black 5s, 8Fs a Stanier Mogul, Hughes 'Crabs', 4Fs and Jintys. The Patriot is the missing class, and is happening in partnership with the Royal British Legion.

The Clan is an odd one but I suppose again it's about filling gaps. We've got Standard 2s, 4s, 5s, 7s and the 8. The Class 2 2-6-2T and 3s are being built so the Clan's the last one. Personally I'm interested to see what they can do with it.

 

[Kinghambranch]

I am a member of the 77021 society, whose aim is to build a new BR Class 3 2-6-0, the tender loco version of the highly successful 82045 loco, presently well under way at the SVR. The 77xxx Class were not as widely distributed as their Tank Loco cousins in BR days, being confined only to Scottish and North Eastern Regions, but a 77xxx would look good on almost any heritage line in the UK and would be useful due to its relatively light axle loading.

Unfortunately, there has been no news from the 77021 Group for over a year and I have requested renewal of my membership and asked for any updates; all to no avail. Is this now a project "on hold?"

Regarding the Clan, this will be an impressive loco in my view and it would seem that considerable progress is being made in its construction, at least according to the evidence on the Clan Website.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Could a GER Claud Hamilton be built, and used as a backup locomotive on Norwich fasts? AFAIK, these has quite a bit of grunt behind them, and at one point were the mainstay of the GEML.

There is a website promoting such a project. I will leave you to make your own judgement on viability:
http://www.claudhamiltonlocomotivegroup.co.uk/
If you're interested in GE area steam, there's another group painting a sludge carrier tender, with the aim of one day building a B17 to go with it.

 

[2392]

A Gresley V4 would be nice - providing the operators could put up with the typically maintenance-heavy side of a Gresley engine.

There is "talk" that the A1 boys have a V4 in their sights as the third new build after the P2 2007 Prince of Wales. The other possibilities being a V tank [V1 or V3] or a K3 2-6-0

 

[alexl92]

I am a member of the 77021 society, whose aim is to build a new BR Class 3 2-6-0, the tender loco version of the highly successful 82045 loco, presently well under way at the SVR. The 77xxx Class were not as widely distributed as their Tank Loco cousins in BR days, being confined only to Scottish and North Eastern Regions, but a 77xxx would look good on almost any heritage line in the UK and would be useful due to its relatively light axle loading.

Unfortunately, there has been no news from the 77021 Group for over a year and I have requested renewal of my membership and asked for any updates; all to no avail. Is this now a project "on hold?"

Regarding the Clan, this will be an impressive loco in my view and it would seem that considerable progress is being made in its construction, at least according to the evidence on the Clan Website.

There has been some news on the facebook page... https://www.facebook.com/77021-Locomotive-Group-New-Build-Steam-193160384184458/ but it is proceeding very slowly...

 

[Marvin]

a modern version of Big Bertha

Yes please!

 

[Kentish Paul]

The Great Bear on the West Somerset.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Main line certified version of Rocket...?

 

[Townsend Hook]

I think the obvious answer here is a Brighton K-class mogul. Absolutely ideal loco for the Bluebell, but would sound amazing going over the Alps on the Mid Hants..

 

[Paulwoking]

The newbuild I'll like, is a LNER J70 Class Tram Engine. AKA Toby The Tram Engine from the Railway Series. These ran from Wisbech so the Nene Valley Railway would be good. Only one original steam tram engine is left in existence globally and that's a German built one in South America.

Seen in Jakarta 2002 - Hanomag Hanover 1913

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Seen in Jakarta 2002 - Hanomag Hanover 1913

Thanks for finding it.
I must of been mistaken about South America.

 

[krus_aragon]

A full-size, standard gauge version of a double Fairlie would be impressive, but the nearest to its "spiritual home" would have to be the Llangollen or the Gwili.

Original (and unsuccessful) standard gauge double Fairlies were used on both the Anglesey Central and Neath & Brecon in the 1860s, before Little Wonder was built for the Ffestiniog in 1869. Llangollen and the Gwili are the nearest extant matches for those lines too.

 

[furnessvale]

A genuine electro diesel capable of delivering realistic main line power in diesel as well as 25kv ohl mode for the FOCs.

(Sorry. I'll let everybody get back to kettle dreams).