Re: WCR leasing R766?

["Stuart Thyer" <s.thyer@anatomy.unimelb.edu.au>]

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In article <3817E595.89B02DE4@ozemail.com.au>, James Brook
<ajmbrook@ozemail.com.au> wrote:


>    I really hope they don't convert R766. I like the locomotive the way it is at
>the moment. If WCR want another "super R" ("R2" is the name I give to it. <g>)
>then why don't they get R700 and convert it? R766 has already been restored and
>is currently close to its original condition. The livery of R766 and the tender
>are only minor alterations to its original VR condition and they are easy to
>convert back. Once R766 has been converted to R711's condition it will be
>wrecked. I like R711, but that loco was never restored to its original VR
>condition.
>

AAARRRRGGGHHHHHHH  Heathen  :-)

R700 is one of only 3 pattern engines left in existence in Victoria (Class
leaders).  R700, Polly and H220.  To 'wreck' the class leader in this
fashion would not be a popular move.  The advantage of the proposal as it
was put up was that it gives Steamrail 2 running R's in its own right,
instead of one leased engine which can be potentially removed (R 766).

It certainly is questionable to restore another R, but practicalities are
going to play a big part in steam operations in the coming years with faster
regular services and even less crossing loops probably (We will not be
running to the north east much in the future with Benalla gone, it's too
hard) the ability to run at 115kmh may be the only way we are allowed to
run.

Stuart Thyer
Photographer
University of Melbourne