MHR Restorations and Overhauls

Urie locomotive society are holding an open day at Ropley on Saturday 18th June. You will be able to get up close to 30506 and 30499. Plus the poeple at the sharp end of restoring both locos will be there to anwser any questions regarding the restoration of both locos. The Urie Group sale stand will also be there with a good selection of item you a purchase.

http://www.urieloco.co.uk

 

I see from the railways website that Frank Boait has retired. I wish him a happy retirement and I hope that he continues his involvement with the MHR.

I wonder if his replacement will be an internal appointment or someone with experience from elsewhere in the preservation movement.

 

I hope he is able to spend some of his retirement putting his "flying bufferbeam" back into use. Lost touch with Frank many years ago.

 

Yes. At one stage years ago I certainly remember seeing the boiler at Ropley.

 

The Black 5 has been rostered in service since 01/06.
@Hampshire Unit has beaten me to it on Flickr, but for those of you who have missed his shots, here area a couple of mine from last night.

It's good to see her out and about again.


92212 - 45379 - 850 by Tim White, on Flickr


LMS Black 5 - 45379 by Tim White, on Flickr


BR Standard 9F - 92212 by Tim White, on Flickr

 

Nice to see her back in service - she's badly needed what with WOTL coming up!

BTW any idea how the Friday RAT's are shaping up, regardless of whats on the front?.................

 

Yes, being a 1937 loco, she'll hopefully be running all weekend (still TBC according to the website)

The first Diesel one was full, and the first steam one has sold out. Neither of the last two have sold out yet, but there is no reason to believe they won't.
I didn't make the May Friday one, but by the accounts I've heard it was a different clientelle to the Saturday RATs, slightly younger and more of a trip from work feel to it.
Early doors yet, but the makings of a successful addition to the service.

 

Thought it might be, and no reason to think why not - probably a more relaxed atmosphere too & less of a scrum............. though the suits when they get in the swing can be just as much 'fun' as the Saturday lot, though they've probably had a head start!

Still, it sounds like something that should've happened years ago......... wonder if a Friday Belle will take off - or is that not likely due to logistics's?............... if only @Hampshire Unit would grace us with an answer!

 

It wasn't many years ago that there were only 12 RATs a year, it has grown significantly in the last few years.
I would suspect the biggest issue will be covering the roster for too many Fridays, notjust those of us on-board, it's all the other support staff you need, you effectively have to man a whole second shift.

 

I understand that Frank is joining Bob Allen at Southall.

Kind regards
Chris.

 

Thanks for clarification, if only I had looked at the pics, id have seen the card about good luck in the new job. Jeremy Hosking must have made him an offer he couldn't refuse!

 

You are welcome.

I thought that too as one of the apprentices has gone to Southall with him.

Chris.

 

A new tender tank was always in the budget, has been ordered, and is in fact almost complete.

What manner of scaremongering about the money are you trying to stir up? What is the truth you seek?

The MHR and MHRPS will deliver the project that was committed to with the HLF, in the same way as we have delivered previously.

 

There is no scaremongering as you put it on my part Simon, I was merely replying to a query from "Swanage". Please do not read into something that is not there?

Kind regards
Chris.

 

It was only the comment about rumours that set me off there. I've sent you a PM too.

 

Just to remind everyone. Urie group at Ropley are holding their open day tomorrow.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/pro...ety-open-day/3c094d8d0e79e5c5f29493ba70df091e

 

And what a great job they are doing too. Visited today and had a lovely chat with both the Urie Group and the guys working on 828. Even managed to get a glimpse at 76017 where Ollie was applying another coat of gloss red to the front buffer. The Standard 4 is coming on lovely and I can't wait to see the finished result later in the year.

 

Can't be long now.................

Hopefully followed by a Urie close behind.

 

Judging by a recent photo, the dock at M4M is now complete, replete with crane.

Bet the Building Dept guys are glad its finished - its taken some doing.

 

It looked finshed at WOTL, it was certainly open to the public (the lad and I spent 15 minutes looking around it).
Excellent job.