[bike2steam]

QUOTE (Richard Johnson @ 19 Aug 2008, 14:06) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I don't think another Stanier is needed ....while I love em to death, there are enough taper boiler LMS loco's out there!
Richard

Sorry Rich, but there is still ONE gap, the Stanier 2 cylinder 2-6-4T, aesthetically the best 2-6-4T design. Now to be controversial, didn't the P2 prove to be a bit of a track smasher, trying to straighten out the curves??one of the reasons for it's conversion to A2. As for the Garratts, apart from the problems already highlighted, they suffered from very poor bearings, the reason for their slow speed limits.
Paul M.

 

[bike2steam]

QUOTE (dwb @ 20 Aug 2008, 21:02) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>There's no mention of "track smashing" in "Gresley and Stanier - A centenary tribute" by Bellwood and Jenkinson but they do write:-

"There were insufficient passenger trains loaded to over 500 tons on the Aberdeen route to utilise fully the six locomotives, with the result that many workings were 'over engined'. The eight-couple axleboxes did not take kindly to the numerous curves on the route, and with Pacific train loads the P2s were expensive to both operate and maintain".

David

In a few cases the track won, cracking a couple of frames.
PM

 

[bike2steam]

QUOTE (bigdave @ 1 Sep 2008, 18:27) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I think we have enough steam engines in this country many of them needing restoration Tornado and the other new build projects have proved engines can still be built, but for the price of tornado 3 or 4 engines could be restored from barry wrecks.

Also why are all new builds locomotives, why don't groups build wagons and coaches. it would be great to see a bullied double decker coach.

On the first count, I agree, on the second, sorry no. There's just not enough manpower or volunteers available to restore what there is.
Paul M.