MEMBERS TO VOTE ON 82045 MAIN LINE PROPOSAL
Members of the 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust are voting whether to take their Riddles 2-6-2T onto the national network. With the locomotive’s frames placed onto the driving wheels at the Severn Valley Railway on April 17, and construction of the boiler expected to commence in 2019 (SR479), the project is at a critical stage where the possibility of main line running must be considered, says Publicity Officer Chris Proudfoot. He explains: “If we are going to proceed in this direction, the decision needs to be taken soon, certainly before the boiler is fitted – certification is a boiler-out job. I am not in the least dogmatic about this matter, but I would like to explore the general feeling before the subject is laid to rest. “I think that all those who have put money into No. 82045 should have the right to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’, and the majority opinion will be respected.” As this issue was going to press, he told Steam Railway that the responses “break down roughly into 50% ‘yes’ and 50% ‘no’, with a very slight bias towards the latter,” although a deadline of July 31 has been set for replies. He commented: “It would be plain daft to envisage No. 82045 being flogged on an arterial route, but the idea of occasional shorthaul runs is not too fantastic. “What about banking a Bulleid ‘Pacific’ out of Waterloo, or resurrecting the ‘Kenny Belle’, a regular turn for Nine Elms ‘82XXX’ tanks towards the end of steam? Or even piloting a ‘Manor’ up Talerddig Bank?” Following the wheeling of the frames, components for the locomotive’s pony trucks are available to sponsor: four check spring brackets (£250 each), two side check spring beams (£900 each) and four sets of side movement retarding gear (£1,500 each). Contact Mr Proudfoot at ‘Woodford’, School Bank, Norley, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 8JY or email chris.proudfoot045@ btinternet.com