End Of The Line For Thornbury Castle? Hornby's Sales Up? Miniature Railway Coming Back to Life!!??

Welcome back to heritage railway news, bringing you all the latest updates from heritage railways, mainline movements, steam galas, restoration projects and so much more...
Episode 12 highlights the Haigh hall miniature railway is coming back to life, Yes the railway has received a lifeline from the local council and will be restored and ready to run once more. Recent announcement has shed light on hornbys profits for 2024 and surprisingly they seem to be up!? And finally we will discuss the sad story of the castle class 'Thornbury Castle' in which the locomotive will finally meet her end and will not be restored.
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[@MatecaCorp]

I hope this doesn’t come off as insensitive, but from the perspective of an American it’s wild that 8 members of a given class survived into preservation. Here we’re lucky if even a single example exists of even the most prestigious locomotive class of a railroad. I do agree that it sucks that not everything can be saved, but there’s plenty of remaining Castles (relatively speaking) and the parts will be more useful in the replica than just sitting around on a siding until the other 7 castles are all too worn out to run. (That is of course assuming that the replica project succeeds) Personally I’d prefer to have every steam locomotive be at the very least cosmetically restored *and* have 100% new new builds, but unfortunately that’s not really feasible.

[@Thecheekyengine]

@@MatecaCorp not at all! always interesting to hear someones opinion from across the pond, yeah you guys don't have the backing for preservation as much as we do sadly, but yeah I agree 7/8 castles is a lot but again as stated I think the kicker is that restoration was under way but stopped and now the purchase 🤔

[@levelcrossing150]

With new build being so successful, there is no reason in the world that in the future we can keep steam locos running indefinitely. Granted many parts will eventually be replaced, but when viewing a loco live and in steam, who is going to worry about that?

[@AlongPreservedLines]

It is worth noting Thornbury Castle is unique compared to the rest of them, the only one of its type preserved

[@MatecaCorp]

@@AlongPreservedLines What is different?

[@AlongPreservedLines]

@@MatecaCorp Thornbury Castle is the only surviving single chimney castle

[@paulkandi]

Good idea, so many parts missing, so a new build 47xx is an excellent idea, we have enough Castles, nice to have something different...

[@Thecheekyengine]

It will be nice to see something different on the rails again!

[@trainlover16]

Come on though. We already have 7 other Castles, 3 operational, but not 1 Night Owl. Surely an engine in very poor condition can be sacrificed to make a new engine whose brothers and sisters have all be scrapped.

[@Thecheekyengine]

@@trainlover16 I'm only the news barer mate giving my opinion, I agree with what they are doing bringing in new locomotive to life but using thornbury castle it's just a sad state of affairs tis all 😕

[@trainlover16]

@@Thecheekyengine Yes but if it means we get a new Night Owl, I’m ok with that.

[@AbeTheBabe6233]

Well correct me if I'm wrong but from what I've heard they told the previous owner that they were planning on restoring her as her own engine, so when they announced they'd be using the boiler for 7027, he found out the same time we all did

[@trainlover16]

@@AbeTheBabe6233 Oh I see. Shame. But to be fair, where else were they gonna get the boiler they needed for their own project?

[@AbeTheBabe6233]

@trainlover16 I'm not exactly sure, however that castle class boiler is the wrong one

[@bruceknights8330]

Come on. As far as most people are concerned a steam loco is being altered, not scrapped. So the frames will be new steel and it will look a little different, but outside of diehard GWR enthusiasts nobody will decry the loco as wrong when they see it in steam. And let's face it, there are an awful lot of GWR 4-6-0s out there, unlike say LNER mixed traffic types.

[@Thecheekyengine]

@@bruceknights8330 no I agree and yeah fortunately not being scrapped but I think the kicker for people here is that it was under restoration but came to a hault plus I think a fair few people have distaste for new builds over restored engines

[@levelcrossing150]

@@Thecheekyengine The truth of the matter is that, if there is no backing to create another Castle loco, then the interest has gone. I'm afraid new builds are the closest we can get to recreating a lost loco, and they give so many of us great pleasure to see after all these years of them being lost.

[@JakeJowett-me8eg]

I don't see why people are annoyed there's 8 castles not as if it's 1 a of 1 at least we will have a new loco not seen before and the way the coververtion to a star could be undone as the nrm aren't ever going to let lode star run again so it would of been nice to see a running star

[@Thecheekyengine]

@@JakeJowett-me8eg I agree with the star mate, It would be epic to see one 👍

[@AndreiTupolev]

Excellent idea to use the boiler for the 47xx, then the chassis would make an ideal basis for building a working Star, since it's very highly extremely unlikely that the Science Museum will ever allow Lode Star to be returned to steam. Two more gaps filled in the ranks of working GWR locos

[@cheyvengeance5432]

The owner of 7027 passed away when it was at GC so the loco wash sold in a rush which is a shame

[@Thecheekyengine]

@@cheyvengeance5432 yes really is a shame.. it's catch 22 scenario really would like it restored but also the new build but the decision is what it is

[@rorz101uk]

I don’t think you can blame the GCR for the sale of the locomotive, it’s the private owner decides if he wants to sell it, as much I as don’t agree with the sale. The GCR has no ownership of the locomotive

[@Thecheekyengine]

@@rorz101uk no I agree more mentioned then in terms of how it ended up where it did but good point! 👍

[@michaelmcnally2331]

Personally more bothered about the fact that the frame not going to be used to create a new GWR Star. I remember reading in Steam Railway where one objection against it was we don’t need a second star. Yes apparently we don’t need a second GWR Star but we do need an 8th Castle. It is VERY unlikely that Lode Star will be returned to full mainline running standard so this would have given an opportunity to see a member of the Star class out and running. What would Thornberry Caslte bring us that the other 7 preserved Castle Class locomotives don’t.

[@Thecheekyengine]

@@michaelmcnally2331 very valid point there! Another star class will be epic as I doubt the NRM will ever get theirs up and running but I think it's rubbed people up the wrong was due to thornbury castles restoration was under way

[@levelcrossing150]

Back in the Barry days locomotives were bought for spares to help restore and keep other locos going, the Stanier Jubilee, 45699, Galatea, was one of them. The Castle class locomotive is well represented and I think the Night Owl project is a great idea to bring back a particularly interesting locomotive back from a unique lost class. We have already seen this happen with our "Halls" to recreate a Grange and Saint, so what's different this time? The good thing is that Thornbury's frames will be saved and go into storage for another day. Boilers were never a true representation of a particular locomotive and were being replaced or swopped about all the time during BR days. The frames are a different matter, as they are the basis of that locomotive. I welcome the Night Owl recreation and Thornbury's boiler will make a great contribution into making that day come closer. To be realistic I would rather see 4709 in steam than the alternative of seeing another Castle back in steam which could simply be many more years away.

[@Thecheekyengine]

Very true point about the barry island days! I think the initial reaction to this from what I gather is that restoration was underway for 7027 but can't to a hault and now looks to be lost, there are a few interesting points made though as to whether the boiler will actually be viable for this class but time will tell!

[@niceaardvark4899]

Excellent news to use Thornbury Castle for the Night Owl rather than let it rot for another 50 years.

[@Thecheekyengine]

Well it's better alternative that's for sure

[@johnholt890]

Didcot did allow long pause to allow other purchasers to come through with a viable plan for Thornbury but none did.

[@Thecheekyengine]

Yes I did read about that, Shane no one came up with a solution

[@stephenchappell7512]

For those who say we have other preserved castle's it should be pointed out that 7027 is the last surviving Hawksworth castle in original (3 row superheater, single chimney) condition

[@RCassinello]

The result of the boiler inspection doesn't matter either way: 1) The boiler can be restored to use - so the castle will need a new boiler if ever to be restored. 2) The boiler can't be restored to use - so the castle will need a new boiler if ever to be restored.

[@johnarnehansen9574]

I'm putting the vlame in private owners for taking good care or selling their trains to a museum or a heritage railway!

[@Hercules4277]

No idea if this is a rumour or not, but the 4709 Group do intend on Restoring her after the 47xx is completed. The Only part that I think is being cannibalised, is the Boiler, the rest will go towards her Restoration.

[@Thecheekyengine]

Yes I believe that is a suggestion but the general idea ATM is to keep the parts for future projects

[@Steamenginefan]

It is sad that Thornbury castle is getting scrapped. But to be honest, it looked like it had battled all 4 elements and looked really damaged.

[@Thecheekyengine]

Yes it really is a sad state of affairs, but unfortunately the backing wasn't there 😕

[@Steamenginefan]

@@Thecheekyengine but isn’t there around 10 castles still here?

[@Thecheekyengine]

@@Steamenginefan I believe there's 8 buddy but could be a couple more now, but either way still a loss!

[@Steamenginefan]

@@Thecheekyengine will there be 7 now as we lost Maindy hall to engine cannibalism?

[@Thecheekyengine]

@@Steamenginefan isn't maindy hall now lady of legend?

[@andylaws4247]

The boiler from Thornbury Castle is not even the correct type boiler for the Night Owl. The barrel differs by 4 inches at the front and 3 inches at the rear. Another case of boiler butchery like when the firebox from 8F 48518 was used for the County 4-6-0!!! Well it's sort of similar so that will do!! 😅

[@Thecheekyengine]

Yes I had read the same that boiler isn't even the right specifications 🤷

[@kineticrail]

7027 we have plenty of other castles around and in better condition and its not the first loco to donate parts for new build projects, in my opinion if people cared that much about her then they would of made efforts to take the loco on when she was up for sale

[@Thecheekyengine]

Yes I agree unfortunately the supporters seem to appear when it's to late or from what I can see 🤔

[@kineticrail]

@@Thecheekyengine sometimes locos are sold quietly between people so the mainstream doesnt know until after the sale. But even when it is known about whether its loco sales or a group trying to raise funds for expensive work people are quick to moan or complain but not as quick to dip into there own pocket or lend a hand in doing the work.

[@nikocosplays8992]

it is a shame about another castle class wont be able to steam but you have to look on the bright side There is already a lot of castles still running in steam and the knight owl project group are bringing back a class that did not survive the cutters torch which will be nice people need to look at it this way and not give bad responses or unpleasant words to the group as its nice to have variations of locos and not all the same thing and trying to get a new boiler built in this day and age just either costs too much or we don't have the right experience or machines that can do a proper job not like how it was back in the hay days of steam just look at what they did for 2999 lady of the legend she's in working order and looks fabulous

[@boblovell5789]

I want to see a new build Aberdare. Why? Well they represented a time of real work when life was hard and we saw a workhorse in a grimy occupation. Anyway, I believe the yanks shot up the last one for target practice. Believed to be painted white for the occasion !!

[@Thecheekyengine]

It will be nice to see TBF, and didn't realise that about the last one that'd interesting 🧐

[@gppsoftware]

It isn't clear to me what exactly is happening with Thornbury Castle. Boiler swaps are quite common. Mention of putting the chassis in store was made. Again, this happens quite a lot on the preservation scene with new or other parts being subsequently found. Unless Thornbury castle really is unrestorable (it looks in better condition than most ex-Barry locos), I wouldn't be writing it off yet. On the other hand, if it is being 'converted', then that means it sees a new life.

[@Thecheekyengine]

Yes they are quite common it will be interesting to see what happens with it!

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

What I find about Hornby and it's price increase by 10% and then immediately on their website offer a 15% discount on all in stock items. Makes no sense

[@Thecheekyengine]

Your the only person to comment about n anything other than thornbury castle haha but yes the whole 15% discount is so weird considering!

[@trainspotterlive2133]

Is Thornburry castle being scrapped 😢

[@Thecheekyengine]

No initially the boiler is being used for the night owl project and the rest will be used for future projects so technically no

[@trainspotterlive2133]

@@Thecheekyengine oh ok

[@SSSVergil]

The 4709 group has ruined a perfectly fine locomotive just to build an extinct class of locomotive, disgraceful

[@yuko147]

9:00 really......?

[@Thecheekyengine]

Not blaming anyone in particular more of a observation in regards to the history of her restoration, multiple parties tried multiple parties did nothing.. rather sad 😕

[@levelcrossing150]

@@Thecheekyengine There would be a huge amount of work and commitment to get Thornbury running again. The team involved are allowed to change their plans mid way, in many cases when they realise that it's just not worth the effort, high expense, lack of support, or is just not viable anymore.

[@casperbacon1423]

too many of these GWR odd-balls doing projects. Build a new one if its that important to you. Oh right, you can't afford it without the parts because no-one is that interested in an obscure 2-8-0 to give you the money.

[@andrewyoung749]

tearing apart a real loco to make some silly copy, 'preservation' in 2024 lol

[@Thecheekyengine]

Yes It does make you wonder in regards to lack of funding for it..

[@AndreiTupolev]

​@@andrewyoung749how can it be a "sh!tty copy" of something that doesn't exist?