Jump to content

LOST CAUSES


LCDR

Recommended Posts

Thinking about a post by SoT under Princess Coronation I was reminded that a few locos were earmarked for preservation but were scrapped instead. Notably 'Ben Alder' the Highland Railway 4-4-0.

 

So what classes are missing untimely?

 

The mid-range 4-4-0s were particular casualties including the LMS 2P, SR L1 and GE D16/3.

 

Do you have any 'favourites' that should have been preserved, but weren't, and why?

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got to be a Wisbech and Upwell steam tram, one hung around Stratford works for some time awaiting preservation to start before someone high up decided it was junk and sent it for cutting up. The rebuilt W1 "super A4" is an obvious one for me a legendary loco and in many ways a star of steam a taste of what Gresley had in mind for express steam power had he lived and war hadn't stopped the production of a class of these, the solitary LNER Beyer Garratt, "Big Bertha" Lickey Incline banker, GE Deccapod, GE D16/3. 2P, BR 3MT 2-6-2 tank, BR Clan, L1, X class tank loco, Fowler 0-6-0 Dock Tank, 0P 0-4-4 and although the classes aren't extinct the first A4 and King Class 6018.

 

6018 nearly made it, Sir Billy Butlin wanted it for one of his camps, and it was done up at Swindon works after withdrawl but someone up high was dead set on scrapping all steam and the price was put up several times and the deal fell through, the loco then went for scrap in immaculate static condition. The same sort of story for the first A4 "Silver Link" again wanted for a Butlins Holiday camp a serious offer was given to BR who then messed about for ages before sending the loco to the scrap line where it was cut up with indecent haste despite resistance by workers at the Plant.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No specific class per sa. Rather a general liking on my part. A larger selection  of L.N.E.R. types to have survived. As apart from the B1 [6]1264 none went to Woodhams' at Barry. Albert Draper's in Hull cut many L.N.E.R. types, but so the story goes decided to keep the Black 5 [4]5305 as she was quite clean and shiny compared to the rest of the loco's to be scrapped......

 

Linking in with your remark about Ben Alder there LC, the L.N.E.R. were in the process of preserving one the North British Atlantics. A start had been made in the scrapping process with the engine being dismantled into it's componants. When instruction came from above to re-assemble the engine in 1938. Then 18 months or so later things changed dramaticly when "The Austrian Corparol" [Hitler] invaded Poland and plunged the world into the second world war. And the engine was promptly withdrawn once more and scrapped ☹️. Having said that though the surviving J27/P3 [6]5894/2392 was saved by Hitler, as having been severly damaged in a crash in York in 1938, it was about to be scrapped [once reusable parts had been salvaged]. The same "powers that be" decided to repair the engine. Not surprising I suppose as there was still a largish pool of spare to call on as the rest of the class were still running, compared to a solitary express engine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shame none of the big Garratts were saved. I know they weren't pretty things to look at, but they were good work-horses.

Have you seen the East African Beyer Garatt in Manchester MOSI? Truely impresssive!

 

/media/tinymce_upload/a0de5a5e35b47f94e3aef8f41d1b90aa.JPG 

 

Then there are the NG15s on the Welsh Highland.

 

 

/media/tinymce_upload/6fed21193d96e2f0806b1e13fec17b1f.JPG

 Beauty is definately in the eye of the beholder, but you cannot fail to be impressed by these, surely?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 "Got to be a Wisbech and Upwell steam tram,"

 

All is not entirely lost for that one. That WOULD be a fairly inexpensive replica (Y6 or J70).  I am surprised no-one has thought of it before.  A great asset for a Heritage railway, for a Thomas Event, add a face and you have 'TOBY'. Should have a matching 'Henrietta' too!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would have like LMS British Legion to have been saved the frist loco with the No2 boiler very similar to the 2As or the rebuild 4-6-0s. But I always think the proportions of the 6170 and the swept back steam pipes set it apart in looks.

 

Alao the Austin7s MR 7f 0-8-0 is the final missing link in the big fright engines of the midland.  

 

And the MR 0-4-4t a charming light passenger engine.  Would stand out in MR Crimson. 

 

And maybe a LNER A2/3 thomson. 

Big green and beautiful! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
  • Create New...