Re: 4204 too heavy

["Ian Larcher" <metalastic@ozemail.com.au>]

"Chris" <chrisc@fl.net.au> wrote in message 39c9ddce@fl.net.au">news:39c9ddce@fl.net.au...
> What is 1059? (a steam crane?)

Yes it is a Steam Crane

> That 32 has been in pieces for years.

"That" 32 has also had a New Tube Plate, Tubes & Flues & a complete
mechanical overhaul, including journals turned & new brasses & is steadilly
going back together, at the moment the tender is in the process of a
complete and very thourgh overhaul, not to many small groups can lay claim
to this type of major repair- so we are quite proud of our achievment even
if it has taken a lot longer than expected.

> 3013 is also in pieces.

Yes unfortunately so, but it's time will come.

> 5917 - under private ownership,  maybe the cost of maintainence is too
high
> for its owners, or are they waiting for the right price to sell?

5917 as you say is under private ownership & therefore has nothing to do
with the LVR, apart from the fact that it is owned by a group of LVR
Members, and stored on site- again sooner or later it's time will come I am
sure.

> I don't  know about 3026 (still under repair?)

Yes, still under repair, and will be for a considerable while yet, as soon
as resources (manpower mainly) permit it will be put back together. However
it has limited boiler life & therefore has been moved down the prioritys
list.

> Restoring one steam loco is an expensive task, wouldn't it be better to
get
> the 32  or 30T going first and reassemble the others as a static exhibits.
> than dividing all of their resources between many restoration projects?

As I said above a lot of effort is going into the P class, why slow it down
putting engines back together that will not be operable, as nice a thought
as that might be.  As you say it is a very expensive task both in money &
more importantly manpower.

Bear in mind we only have a very small team of skilled steam fitters. As for
the DEB cars- our other proirity at the present we feel that there is a
steady market for tours with these cars- fast, comfortable, easy to
maintain, cheap to operate. Again we have a small group of members who have
no steam skills, but have expertise in diesel engine repair, air
conditioning, bogie overhaul etc so the best possible use of their manpower
& talents lies with these cars, and of course the CPH's.

> It is not silly criticism, but constructive criticism.

Constructive critcism is always welcome- but hands on work is more so why
not come up, get your hands dirty & see what it is all about?