She would probably find better opportunities to get out and run and a more common set of mechanical standards if she went to Australia or New Zealand assuming she has to leave the UK at all.

dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> I know it was here in the late sixties,
> early seventies but are there any regs in
> place now that would require modification of
> the loco to run here?

> I'm thinking things like a second water
> glass, ditch lights, headlight, etc. Are the
> couplers compliant with ours or unique?

It already has has two gauge glasses, a generator for lights isn't rocket science and couplers can be changed... However I don't think it will leave these shores, someother lunatic will decide to buy it in spite of it's history of bankrupting owners.

G


gavin@hamilton.powernet.co.uk

The group in Australia that ended up with the GWR Castle in the 1970s originally wanted the 4472. The Flying Scotsman was not available, so they got the GWR engine. Since then, the Castle has returned to the UK, the second steam engine to circum-navigate the globe. And the first? 4472!

Joshua

Some buyers probably think they will be able to trade on the good name/heritage of the locomotive alone, whereas history shows that isn't enough to cover costs.

If the loco is bought by another individual now, who has a similar agenda to previous purchasers, we'll probably be having this discussion again in some years time.

Is it possible for a locomotive to be cursed?


johnbowers3@compuserve.com

It would have to have a boiler teardown, inspection measurements, etc. and a new Form 4 compiled for starters.

Does it still have vacuum brakes? If so, they would have to be changed over to air or some special waivers (unlikely) would be needed.

Whistle, bell and headlight would be mandatory. Ditch lights are not required, but there is nothing to stop anyone from putting them on an engine if he so desires.

> It would have to have a boiler teardown,
> inspection measurements, etc. and a new Form
> 4 compiled for starters.

*Certainly, although it's possible enough documentation from the last rebuild and subsequent overhauls exists that this may not be a problem. Britain isn't exactly a bunck of slackers at boiler safety, y'know.

> Does it still have vacuum brakes? If so,
> they would have to be changed over to air or
> some special waivers (unlikely) would be
> needed.

*As with almost every contemporary mainline steamer in the UK, there is a provision for contemporary braking systems, including modern air brakes. I believe one of the tenders has a special hidden air compressor built into a pocket in the back. It would be a simple matter to adjust the output/connections for American brakes.

> Whistle,

*Has it...... VERY high-pitched one-note screamer even higher than the PRR "Banshee", however.........

bell

*Had a presentation bell fitted in 1969-71, fit an electronic bell sounder somewhere under the frame in front now.

and headlight would be
> mandatory.

*The british have come up with an ingenious seal-beam headlamp that fits into a marker-lamp box on the front of the pilots of mainline steamers to fulfill the new safety requirements. (They did finally catch on, y'know.)

LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net