RHDR Princess Coronation

[Deltic1]

A little section on the wikipedia age of the RHDR states:

In addition to the railway's own 16 locomotives, one additional engine is currently housed at New Romney. This is a partially constructed third-scale reproduction of an LMS Princess Coronation Class locomotive, commonly known as the 'Duchess' type (although of the 38 engines of this class, only 10 were named after duchesses). The replica was commissioned by Paul Riley, a director of the railway, as a private project and is currently stored in an engineers' depot.

I believe there were some photos floating about online a little while ago but the forum they were on seems to have been taken down.

Has anyone got any more information about the loco, whether its still stored at the railway or any pictures of it at all?

 

[4SubAsociation]

Last i heard this was a private venture where the person building it passed away during its build. So what status it is at i am not sure.

 

[wagwan my g]

"In addition to the railway's own 16 locomotives, one additional engine is currently housed at New Romney. This is a partially constructed third-scale reproduction of an LMS Princess Coronation Class locomotive, commonly known as the 'Duchess' type (although of the 38 engines of this class, only 10 were named after duchesses). The replica was commissioned by Paul Riley, a Director of the railway, as a private project, and is currently stored in an engineers' depot. Following the unexpected death of Mr Riley on 4 June 2008 the future of this locomotive is currently unknown. It is understood that construction is more than half complete"

taken from this website https://discover.hubpages.com/trave...only-miniature-railway-that-fought-in-the-war

 

[Deltic1]

"In addition to the railway's own 16 locomotives, one additional engine is currently housed at New Romney. This is a partially constructed third-scale reproduction of an LMS Princess Coronation Class locomotive, commonly known as the 'Duchess' type (although of the 38 engines of this class, only 10 were named after duchesses). The replica was commissioned by Paul Riley, a Director of the railway, as a private project, and is currently stored in an engineers' depot. Following the unexpected death of Mr Riley on 4 June 2008 the future of this locomotive is currently unknown. It is understood that construction is more than half complete"
taken from this website https://discover.hubpages.com/trave...only-miniature-railway-that-fought-in-the-war

I hadn't seen that, unfortunately though the whole page seems to be a copy and paste from wikipedia.

 

[jumble]

I hadn't seen that, unfortunately though the whole page seems to be a copy and paste from wikipedia.

That article is rubbish
Pictures are from elsewhere
There are no topless coaches as ones head would be knocked off by the tunnels and certainly no mountains so probably is Ravenglass
Pilot halt has not been a stop for at least 30 years
The Bug is not the Bug and is pictured somewhere else ( no idea where)

What is remarkable is that Davey Paxman built 7 of their locomotives ( and only one other 15 inch for the Ratty ) and no one is sure if they built any other steam locos
All 8 survive which must be a record

 

[sprinterguy]

There are no topless coaches as ones head would be knocked off by the tunnels and certainly no mountains so probably is Ravenglass

Yep, that image was taken at Dalegarth on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. And as you say, no idea where the picture purporting to be of The Bug was taken.

It's interesting to note that the RHDR did in fact operate open topped coaches from 1946 in an urgent response to post-war passenger demand, the final examples of which were withdrawn in 1979 having subsequently been fitted with lightweight frames and first chicken wire and then hardboard roofs, to deter anyone from standing up in transit.

 

[Gartcosh]

I would suggest the picture purporting to be the Bug is actually of 0-6-2 No.3 "Dougal" on the Evesham Vale Light Railway.

 

[paul1609]

A little section on the wiki page of the RHDR mentions that a partially constructed Princess Coronation is in store at the railway. I believe there were some photos floating about online a little while ago but the forum they were on seems to have been taken down.

Has anyone got any more information about the loco, whether its still stored at the railway or any pictures of it at all?

Im not associated with the RH&DR but I have it on good authority that the partially completed loco is still in store at New Romney.

 

[Deltic1]

Im not associated with the RH&DR but I have it on good authority that the partially completed loco is still in store at New Romney.

Thanks for the update.

 

[yorkie]

Reopened for @4SubAsociation to provide an update

 

[4SubAsociation]

Ok. Browsing facebook marketplace and found this advert.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

I believe this is the princess coronation as discussed in the thread. The advert says it's in Walsall, but I think it's the RHDR permanent way shed (new).

Advert description:

15inch gauge princess coronation type steam locomotive part built all drawings and paperwork to complete the build it was built to Romney standards there's no tender only wheels and axel boxes Boiler is CE marked and built by Bennett Boilers and I have paperwork Sensible offers around £75000

 

[UP13]

If I won the lottery, I would! I'm sure she'd be a lovely locomotive if ever built. Unfortunately, I can't see it happening...

 

[Trainlog]

Ok. Browsing facebook marketplace and found this advert.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

I believe this is the princess coronation as discussed in the thread. The advert says its in Walsall but I think its the RHDR pway shed (new).

Advert description - "15inch gauge princess coronation type steam locomotive part built all drawings and paperwork to complete the build it was built to Romney standards theres no tender only wheels and axelboxes Boiler is CE marked and built by Bennett Boilers and i have paperwork Sensible offers around £75000"

You would think the RHDR would buy the loco back and restore it for the centenary events of the line. I know it was privately owned when it was there last time, but a restored 15-inch gauge Princess Coronation would be another great addition to their fleet.

 

[UP13]

You would think the RHDR would buy the loco back and restore it for the centenary events of the line. I know it was privately owned when it was there last time, but a restored 15-inch gauge Princess Coronation would be another great addition to their fleet.

It would be a great addition to the fleet, but do they have a spare 75k to buy it plus resources to finish building it?

 

[Trainlog]

It would be a great addition to the fleet, but do they have a spare 75k to buy it plus resources to finish building it?

Well I reckon they could. If it's part of their centenary plans, they can put an appeal out for it to get it finished for then. Albeit they would have to act almost between now and September should they want to purchase the loco.

The RHDR is definitely well-loved as a tourist attraction in Kent. I could see the appeal doing well beyond just us enthusiasts if it came up on somewhere like KentOnline, and social media in general.

You also have to remember that acquiring a new loco on heritage railways is always good for publicity. I mean look at Ravenglasses' success with Whillian Beck for something comparable.

 

[Trainlog]

A recent trip to the RHDR End of Season Gala has reminded me of the fact that this loco is still up for sale currently, has there been any recent updates regarding the loco?