The 4709 Group has completed the purchase of the components for 7027 Thornbury Castle following the final tranche of the purchase price being paid.
The acquisition of the GWR Castle has had a varied reaction on social media, with the locomotive previously undergoing a ‘return-to-steam’ overhaul before being purchased by the 4709 Group.
The chassis and other components were moved to Tyseley earlier this year for safekeeping, and following the completion of the agreed payment, work to start.
An inspection of 7027’s boiler will be completed soon with the hope that it can be used for new-build 4709.
Following the inspection, a schedule of tasks can then be compiled that will bring it back into full working order.
The chassis for 7027 and other components that made up the balance of the deal will be stored for future railway projects.
Responses
Any one know what has happened to 6024 king class
It’s alright everyone saying the castle should be restored but how many of the people commenting are willing to put their hands in there pockets and spend the few million to restore this and given there is so much missing there would be more new then old on the castle any way. Can’t save everything
It’s time very everyone to move on. I was very keen to see 7027 survive but the decision has been made and I’m ok with it.
Whilst there are arguments for and against, I tend to agree with most comments that favour a restoration of 7027. I understand the desire to create 4709 but destroying a loco that could be restored doesnt make sense. Of course its very expensive to either restore or undertake a new build but given the chequered history of 7027 and its current state I would have thought restoraton was a preferred option. Yes its another Castle when we have a few already, but destroying it is a retrograde step in my view.
In my opinion there are already enough operable/near-operable Castles & restoring 7027 is not viable. It would be better to use the ‘parts’ (including the boiler) to keep the other ones going. The 4709 group should seek funding to build a ‘proper’ new boiler if they are serious about building an authentic replica.
This is a disgraceful act by the 4709 group – just a cheap and quick way to get an (incorrect) boiler for their project, just as serious restoration of Thornbury Castle was getting underway after decades of neglect by previous owners. What on earth is the GWS thinking of in validating this action to destroy an original loco to create a replica in the 101st anniversary of the Castle class, one of the Uk’s most important and famous loco designs?!
The real criminal here was pete waterman for allowing the loco to fall into such a state of disrepair that the loco now falls into this predicament
I can’t believe this is happening to this loco. It has stood the test of time, l remember seeing it before restoration & now is to be rendered obsolete. It is one thing having a newbuild but originality is unique to have lasted. This wouldn’t be done to an ‘titled’ engine. Butchered Into Parts
Its ok to pontificate but as I understand it the reality is no-one so far has been prepared to take it on for restoration, not considered a viable proposition. So then the bits start to disappear and its no good to anyone, at least this way they will be used profitably.
Such a shame to see a beautiful loco being cannibalised for a loco spares instead of being returned to steam and running
This is an absolute disgrace and shame on the 4709 group. Recreating history by destroying a perfectly good locomotive.
Yep, a complete disgrace. If the 4709 group had any integrity they would be fund raising to manufacture a new boiler for heir project and leaving the Castle intact.
I totally agree.
Obviously being cannibalised to save money.
Have a feeling, these new builds are just money making schemes for a chosen few.
No history, using 21st century technology and sometimes plainly not being a true replica.
Mnnn…
How on earth are new builds a money making scheme?
Money making?. I wish. Even with steaming fees every new build will need additional cash to pay for the next overhaul . Suggest you talk to new build owners.
As a “Castle” boiler is not quite correct for a “4700”, I hope that the boiler of 7027 will merely be borrowed for use in 4709 until a correct boiler can be manufactured for 4709, allowing the borrowed boiler to be returned to allow a proper restoration of 7027.. if 7027 is just allowed to be lost to preservation by becoming just a collection of spare parts, then this will be scandalous. We already seem to have lost a “Crab” (42859) and an “S15” (30841) in this way, as well as losing two of the “Hall” class (4920 and 5972) to the dreaded Harry Potter mob.
I can’t imagine that the 4709 group will be looking to raise circa £9000K for a new one, not least because the smaller barrel of thee No 8 will allow the loco to go main line which is the objective.