I went on the site for Didcot Railway Centre's "Lady of Legend" this morning. For those unfamiliar with the project, it is a conversion of Great Western Railway "Hall" class 4-6-0 "Maindy Hall" to represent the "Saint" class of 4-6-0 from which it was developed. While it seems straight foward, what boggles my mind is that there is a plan to go between the 4-6-0 version to the 4-4-2 version by replacing the rear driver with suitable components. 13 of the "Saint" class were built as 4-4-2s after positive testing of a Swindon-built 4-4-2 in comparison to the French de Glehn 4-4-2 "La France". All the 4-4-2 "Saint" class engines were converted to the 4-6-0 arrangement after testing found the 4-4-2 arrangement insufficent for adhesion. All 13 of the 4-4-2 "Saint" class varients were converted to the 4-6-0 arrangement by 1913. I find it mind boggling that the plan for "Lady of Legend" is to become a
4-4-2 for special events by replacing the rear driver with a bogie. I don't think any group in the preservation field has ever planned for such a adaptation for locomotives under their care.

The Saint Project Website:
http://www.thesaintproject.co.uk/index.html

The Atlantic Option:
http://www.thesaintproject.co.uk/Pages/ ... ption.html

The historic rail movement in the UK is the best in the world. I was there in September and visited the North Yorkshire Moors, they were running three 7 car trains in steam with another couple of engines in steam on stand-by. Steam trains were meeting and passing in sidings, others were switching in the yard, and everything was in perfect condition.

You must get there sometime young man.

I have no doubt that the UK preservation groups are top notch. Once I manage to go, first thing to see would be Lady of Legend... For the British to design a locomotive with the intent of switching between wheel arrangements with only a few changes in parts... All I can say is "wow". I knew the British were experts in railway preservation, but this only further proves the point.