If you could save one loco..

[Branchline121]

If you could save one steam locomotive from being scrapped in the past and have it preserved, which would it be? Personally the biggest contenders for me would be a K1 (preferably one of the Broadstone examples) or a J26 for MGW representation. I would’ve also liked to see a VS preserved, namely 207 (because it’s named after the Boyne) or maybe Bulleid’s CC1, purely because of how unusual it was.

I suppose we’re lucky that any were saved, if it weren’t for the preservation efforts of the ‘60s there mightn’t have been any left at all.

[Mol_PMB]

I think you've covered the best ideas already in your first post.

CC1 would be truly unique with no similar survivors worldwide. Probably the most interesting option for a static exhibit.

This may be heresy but I'm not so excited about another big GNR 4-4-0 as we have a nice set of 3 already.

I like your ideas of an MGWR loco to fill that gap, and for mainline service the Woolwich would indeed be the obvious one, however a J26 / E would be more practical at Downpatrick. But for true MGWR style I'd pick a 2-4-0 tender loco with the distinctive Atock 'fly away' cab. Not actually too much bigger and heavier than a J26 but much more style, and preserved 2-4-0s are scarce.

 

[Flying Snail]

In addition to those listed above, a GSWR 4-4-0 like a class 52 would be one I'd like to see saved. 

[GSR 800]

19 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

I think you've covered the best ideas already in your first post.

CC1 would be truly unique with no similar survivors worldwide. Probably the most interesting option for a static exhibit.

This may be heresy but I'm not so excited about another big GNR 4-4-0 as we have a nice set of 3 already.

I like your ideas of an MGWR loco to fill that gap, and for mainline service the Woolwich would indeed be the obvious one, however a J26 / E would be more practical at Downpatrick. But for true MGWR style I'd pick a 2-4-0 tender loco with the distinctive Atock 'fly away' cab. Not actually too much bigger and heavier than a J26 but much more style, and preserved 2-4-0s are scarce.

 

I'd be inclined to align quite closely, Mol! Midland represent!

I think I'd go with a G2 myself, though as rebuilt. I think the crews would thank me!

Regarded as the 'best' MGWR locomotives, they are surely the most fit to represent the company in preservation.

 

 

 

[leslie10646]

@Branchline121 hit the nail on the head with No.207. A Woolwich mogul would have been very useful, but I understand they were rough to ride on which wouldn't sit well with modern crews.

@GSR 800 makes a good point regarding the Midland 2-4-0s, but if we had one, it wouldn't be on the main line any more as she could not pull enough fast enough - like our two J15s. But she'd be perfect for Maam Cross. Jim - you could build a glass fibre "Flyaway Cab" lookalike and put an electric motor in it (with a smoke unit of course)..........

Back to Boyne which is my "Win the Euromillions Jackpot" engine. Lord O'Neill would have bought her but was advised that she would be very restricted on route availability - which was true at the time. BUT with more modern track and heavier diesels the Game changed - No.85 with the same axle-loading has been almost everywhere! The saddest decision in Irish preservation history.

Like everything else in the 1960s, we had no money to preserve anything.

No.171 was RENTED for a decade or so.

No.186 was a gift (Thank-you CIE).

So was the Guinness engine - keep drinking the beer to say Thanks.

No.4 was the Bargain of Bargains when we bought her - oh that we'd had the money to buy TWO!

[Westcorkrailway]

I’ll still beat the Bandon Tank Drum for as long as I live. Problem is that it would only be useful for maynooth runs in the modern day preservation scene. A bit too hungry for Downpatrick. Even if the CRRS had preserved it in the mid 1960s, it’s hard to imagine how 464 would have survived to now unless treated like similar size loco lough Erne

 

That’s thinking with my heart, but with my brain I think by far the biggest gap would be for the MGWR E Class / J26. Not only would it give the Midland a deserved representation in preservation aside from coaches. it would also be practical, being perfect for Downpatrick’s Demands and not as hungry as some other monsters! Helpings it’s case for a new build is it’s also one of the best proportioned locos on this island. The class was also extremely well traveled, traveling to virtually every corner of the country, working alongside No. 90 in Cork ending up replacing it on the T&C section! 

  

[Mike 84C]

I would go for MGWR J5 Cattle engine. Somehow very Irish but, I'm also in the Bandon tank brigade.

[Metrovik]

Id go for something rather antiquated. The GSR N1. Possibly better recognised as the Waterford and Tramore 2-2-2. This engine lasted well into the 1930s becoming the last single wheeler in the UK or Ireland to see regular service. And I daresay, had it not rolled down an embankment and been damaged beyond repair, it would have lasted just long enough to have stood a decent chance of being preserved by Cie itself given its age.

[LNERW1]

The CC1 would obviously never run in preservation- no crews would even go near it if it wasn't their job- but to have it in a museum would be nice. On the operational side, the more EMD 645s I hear the better, so anything with that please!

[Killian Keane]

If I could go back in time? It would probably be the Hibernia, an unusual design even for the time and obviously significant in being the first loco in Ireland, then theres the Princess, the first loco built here 

In terms of something that stood a realistic chance of survival I would agree about the Waterford and Tramore 2-2-2 tank, or indeed a main line 2-4-0 such as the WLWR G3 or MGWR G2, the latter of course not only being the last main line 2-4-0 in Ireland but Europe in general

Edited 16 hours ago by Killian Keane

[Horsetan]

My ideal list would be:

- one of the Caprotti 400s

- one of the 500s

- one K1

- one K1a

- the sole P1 2-6-2T

- a J26

- possibly the VS

...and obviously CC1. How could you not have that? CC1 would be a massive study aid for alternative fuels.

Edited 15 hours ago by Horsetan

[Galteemore]

Biggest hole in preservation is probably a 4-4-0 from one of the Southern companies. The most gorgeous of all a WLWR Robinson in original livery ….other worthy nominees are an NCC 3’ gauge compound, a PP class or U, BCDR 2-4-0. In terms of what would be useful in modern steam ops round Dublin, a Bandon tank or Glover tank would earn their keep. 

[Mayner]

12 hours ago, Galteemore said:

Biggest hole in preservation is probably a 4-4-0 from one of the Southern companies. The most gorgeous of all a WLWR Robinson in original livery ….other worthy nominees are an NCC 3’ gauge compound, a PP class or U, BCDR 2-4-0. In terms of what would be useful in modern steam ops round Dublin, a Bandon tank or Glover tank would earn their keep. 

Back in the day (early 1980s) I hoped that the GSRPS would convert Qs Class 131 into a facimilie of a GSWR Coey 4-4-0, strangely 131 would have been closer to ex DSER 4-4-0 No 454 apparrently the actual loco was based on the GNR Q Class design.

At the time the GSRPS really appeared to be making progress as a preservation society.  Establishing a base at Mallow, the loan of 131 to the Society and the successful move of the loco to Mallow, acquiring and restoring carriages suitable for an Excursion Train operation.