Preserve each class for posterity

I read with interest your article ‘Scrapping possible for Deltic as repair costs mount’ ( RAIL 818).

Like many modern traction enthusiasts, I applaud the efforts of preservationists. However, I am not in agreement with preserving countless members of the same class, as less is sometimes better than more.

In a perfect world the National Railway Museum would place more importance on modern traction exhibits, and have the resources to ensure examples of everything are preserved in full working order for current and future generations to enjoy.

Unfortunately, I doubt this will ever happen. So in my opinion less is better than more - this means several exceptional examples of each class in full working order, with the necessary resources (funds, skilled expertise, spares, volunteers, covered accommodation, and so on) to ensure that those of us who grew up with English Electrics, Maybachs and Napiers can continue to be reminded of the good old days. Also, those who didn’t can be aware of what they’ve missed. Surely, this is better than numerous examples in various states of repair with indifferent futures.

A survival of the fittest approach will probably happen in time anyway, as some private owners or groups run out of resources or pass away. Hopefully, locomotive classes such as the Deltics, where there are fewer examples preserved, will be retained as static exhibits rather than scrapped, despite donating components to other preserved class members.

Matthew Bradley, Shropshire