You could get an S160 in the UK for £15,000. Okay its from Poland, but would require about £140,000 to get it running.

If anyone is thinking about purchasing the Alaska Railroad one - think again, and look into transatlantic shipping costs!

Would be interesting to know whether a locomotive restored to working condition in the UK would be allowed to work in the US? Our boiler inspectors are no pushover. 

We have about ten working steam locomotives at the Bluebell, out of a collection of about 30! I think the UK must have the largest number of working preserved steam locomotives in the World - that is not an exageration! A few years ago, China was obviously the last place in the world with a mass of 'revenue' earning locomotives, but the UK is the place to see preserved steam. I think we have on average two trains a week leave London mainline stations on mainline steam charters.

Its such a shame seeing as there are so many stunning US locomotives that would be one hell of a sight working, being thrashed in second valve on the main line.........all boils down to bloody insurance these days......was good to see the two QJ's being imported into the US, but would rather see something homegrown.

Does anyone have a rough idea of how many steam locomotives are in operating condition in the US?

Cheers,

Stephen.

[/quote]Very nice idea. I've had thoughts of doing that. I've always wondered what it'd also be like to be part of a heritige railway. I have relatives in the UK, and I could look into working or volunteering on the Bluebell Railway. 
[/quote]

I would recommend the Bluebell Railway - infact I have just spent the last 12 hours down there, with a large majority of that time firing a London Brighton and South Coast Railway 0-6-2T Called "Birch Grove".

We have one chap who comes over from Canada for two weeks a year, so having oversea's volunteers is not a rare occurance!

New blood is always welcome as long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty, well infact nothing short of filthy!

Cheers,

Stephen.

Phil Collins used to have a large HO scale American railraod in his basement when he lived in Sussex in the UK.

This all came to an end when his wife filed for divorce, the house was sold and Phil moved abroad with a early 20-something female model...... he should have stuck to the 1:87 modelling - would have cost him a LOT less!

Cheers,

Stephen.

Hi Andre,

That's the link I was looking for.

Many thanks, now the conversion can begin!

Cheers,

Stephen.

Hi All,

Before Christmas, someone on this board produced a truly stunning conversion of the Presidents Choice 2-10-2 loco that was released last year in the "Big 10" train set.

I was wondering whether the gent in question, could get in contact with me seeing as the original thread seems to have been removed, and I was looking for some advice on how to carry out the conversion myself.

With Kind Regards,

Stephen.

Hi All,

Before Christmas, someone on this board produced a truly stunning conversion of the Presidents Choice 2-10-2 loco that was released last year in the "Big 10" train set.

I was wondering whether the gent in question, could get in contact with me seeing as the original thread seems to have been removed, and I was looking for some advice on how to carry out the conversion myself.

With Kind Regards,

Stephen.

I'm Stephen, and I live in Billingshurst in Sussex, England.

Yep thats right Billingshurst - I know - no one has heard of it! It is about 20 miles south of Gatwick Airport, so about 50 miles South of London (Where I work).

Currently working for an engineering consultancy group in the rail division. started off in Rolling Stock, now doing P'way.

Spent a lot of time in Cuba driving and photographing the steam there - have also done China was well.

Lived and worked in New Hampshire (USA) for half a year, so have an interest in the railways around New England.

Also been dating a Canadian girl from Ontario, so now have an interest in Canadain steam, past and present (South Simcoe Rialway etc). Saying that I have always had an interest in Canadian Railways seeing as my old man used to work for the shipping side of Canadian Pacific.

I model in O gauge - British 1950's and 60's steam (Somerste and Dorest Railway). But also have started a Cuban Sugar Cane model in On30. I also have a lot of British OO, some Canadian HO (1980s) and also a bit of US HO - mainly Southern Pacific steam (GS-4 etc).

At the weekends I work on the 'real railway' (!) - The Bluebell Railway in Sussex where I am training to become a fireman, then eventually driver.

Going to Poland for a week to drive steam on the mainline in April, which should be a great way to spend a holiday!

When I am not doing anything railway related, I sample many different types of English Ale, and enjoy the great British rain!

All that at the age of 28! Can't wait for the mid-life crisis!

Cheers,

Stephen.

Quote from: Dr EMD on February 20, 2007, 09:43:31 PM



I did a bit of research (ain't research fun!) and I know it is fleet number E4301, a 2 foot 6 inch gauge Canadian Locomotive Works product from 1958. It was photographed at the Esteban Hernandez sugar mill.

If I'm right, I yield to anyone else who has a picture ready.

Doc EMD

Hey Doc, yep everything you said is 100% correct! I have a photograph of the builders plate somewhere, I'll try and post it later!

Cheers,

Stephen.

Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 20, 2007, 05:50:15 PM
MLW-Montreal Locomotive Works!

Spot on!

Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 20, 2007, 05:31:41 PM

Quote from: CubanRailways on February 20, 2007, 05:27:29 PM

Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 20, 2007, 05:25:56 PM

Quote from: CubanRailways on February 20, 2007, 05:19:46 PM

Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 20, 2007, 05:16:54 PM
Alco 

Nope!

Baldwin 

Nope!

EMD

I'll give you a clue, the manufacturer of this loco was a subsidary of an Schenectady based manufacturer.......

Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 20, 2007, 05:25:56 PM

Quote from: CubanRailways on February 20, 2007, 05:19:46 PM

Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 20, 2007, 05:16:54 PM
Alco 

Nope!

Baldwin 

Nope!

Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 20, 2007, 05:16:54 PM
Alco 

Nope!

Quote from: traindude109 on February 20, 2007, 04:46:49 PM

Quote from: HOplasserem80c on February 20, 2007, 04:00:51 PM
you just coppied off of me and made dumber rules

The game is the same yes, but the rules are a billion times better. C'mon dude lets not start this again OK?! Nobody is in the mood.

Anyway, so it is a cuban diesel.......hmmmmmmmmmm........is it a GE of some kind maybe?

Nope, not a GE............

Definately North American though. As for gauge, well its 30inch......

Quote from: Guilford Guy on February 20, 2007, 02:05:07 PM
Looks a little like a davenport, COuld it be cuban meter gauge?

One out of three - its in Cuba, but not meter gauge and not a Davenport!

Cheers,

Stephen.

Quote from: rogertra on February 20, 2007, 01:35:21 PM
WE HAVE A WINNER!

Stephen is correct.

The loco is No. 33 "Bembridge", an ex LSWR - ex SR class O2 0-4-4T shown here shunting at Newport on the Isle of Wight during the last summer of steam operation.

More photos of this loco can be seen at: -

http://www.semg.org.uk/steam/o2class_03.html

Being born and bread in Southampton, I did have a bit of an advantage over the Southern Region pictures!

Okay Here we go - what and where is this critter?



Cheers

Stephen