The LNER Encyclopedia

hello there, my name is Jonathan Stead and i've been closely monitoring Union's movement's over the months and i was wondering if anyone has any information with regards to when and where her overhaul is to start. Because i've heard her time is running out and for that she's in need of a good lick of paint soon.

Thankyou

I now belive that the boiler ticket lasts till 2010

I see, is that on preseverd lines? Or mainline.

Not entirly sure, I read it was this year, but in the latest Steam Railway there is a list of all the preserved LNER and their status and it gives 2010 as boiler ticket expires.

Quite an interesting list really, I thought the LNER did quite poor, but there are 54 (in the world - Including Tornado)

Hi Jonathan,

I have come across this article from the Heritage Railway Association which will hopefully answer your query.

http://ukhrail.uel.ac.uk/glossary/boilexam.html

John

Hi Everyone Jonathan Stead here.

I was reading in Steam Raiway Magazine that John Camron has withdrawn 60009, because he feels she needs a close inspection as its be the worst period of working since she came out of overhaul.

It also speculated that she could subsequenlty be withdrawn from the mainline as a result.

I thought she was due to be overhauled at the end of 2008 and in steam railway 352 it said that after she failed on the corination they were ready to remove the connecting rodds (presummably for overhaul).

On the corronation a bung fell outta one of the rods, so it ran hot, and had to be removed to remetal it, it was duly put back on and this hasn't problemed it yet.
It's alive till 2012, but could be in before that, espeially now that there are 2 more main line ones!

Correct me if i am wrong thought that she had come to the end of her 7 year ticket this year and was examined and given an extension, i think it was three years but could be wrong. There has been talk of her seeing out the last of her ticket on a preserved line and also disturbingly that she is not to be overhauled in the forseeable future, at least not by John Cameron. Now i suspect that this is just as it sounds rumour and speculation, however it does present the what if question.

yes, the ticket is till 2010, and she'll be overhauled as soon as, so when she comes back out, there will be breifly 3 again.

"Gresleyman, she is not to be overhauled in the forseeable future, at least not by John Cameron."

Could that mean Union is in danger of being in a simliar situation to that of Flying Scotsman in 2004?

Although as far as i know aren't Steam Locomotives only allowed to run on the mainline for 7 years after which the remaining term is spent on a preserved railway?

I don't know is the honest answer time will tell regarding Unions future. Engines can have their certificates extended if they still pass the rigourous safety tests. Equally if they don't pass sooner than 7 years the certificate can be withdrawn.

I was reading the latest steam railway and it was saying that shes failed 4 times in 2 months and that john cameron might retirie her

I know i read the same article. Its a bit sad really as she's a valued locomotive which has been a reliable performer. Although I would admit she's looking a bit worn and in need of some new paint work.

I agree . if they overhaul here now while there is 2 other A4s then when the other 2 get overhauled she'll get all the work.