Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Borrow a Dutchess and Royal Scot, put a WD tender behind them and party like its 1948.

 

Great news to hear about 34007 and shows how popular Bulleids are. All we now need is someone to put their hand in their pocket and donate a large sum of cash towards 34058. Surely a loco that should turn its wheels again and sooner the better.

PS is there any news on 34058

thanks

 

I paid a visit to 34058 on Saturday, Sir Fred is looking a lot more loved than a year ago, thanks to a splinter group of the (socially distanced, controlled in number) working parties for 80150. Possibly the "Alresford Peoples Front for Bulleids", or is it the "Popular Bulleid Front of Alresford"?

 

If you go to the 80150 Facebook page there is a pic of 34058 with fresh paint on the smokebox ...she moves ahead slowly .....

 

Splitters! Oh, wait, this isn't the WSR thread...I'll get me coat.

 

Maybe they were bullied into painting 34058?

 

Good news. However it will be very slowly. With 35005 under overhaul, 34105 due to start and £100k pledged for 34007’s overhaul, I doubt overhauling another Bulleid will get priority for a long time.

 

I'm not sure if the leading lights in the 80150 conservation team read NP.
However the plan (as explained the last time I was crawling around under 80150 (which was some time ago now)) was to give Sir Fred some TLC as the scraping and painting jobs reduced on 80150, to help prevent further deterioration.
It is one of conservation at the moment, rather than restoration.

 

Pity - give me a Jarvis over a Bulleid any day. And I think "due to start" might be a little behind the times fo 34105

 

With no many other locos working/ under overhaul/ in overhaul queue, it does make you wonder if it’s worth keeping the black five that is at Margate. The only non Southern/BR loco in the collection (ignoring Thomas!).Wasn’t it essentially seen as a replacement for 73096 when that left? However 73096 has now returned.

 

The Black 5 is popular amongst MHR footplate crews I believe, so I think they'd like to keep it. Some perhaps would even prefer it to a Bulleid or Jarvis.

Granted it is not Southern but they did run occasionally over the MHR in BR days on diversionary trains.

 

Originally yes, it was seen as a replacement for the loco's owned by Mr Bunch, as was as was the 75, and to a degree, the 80xxx tank, can be viewed in that light, as all the locos are owned by the preservation society , to ensure such a problem can never arise again, the Stanier 5 will have to wait its turn, like any other loco , once CP , and Swanage are done, then the 75, will be next, after that, then possibly either of the 5's will be next, depending on which loco needs least work,

 

In any case, a surfeit of locos is a problem many lines would love to have!

 

Depends if you've got undercover (preferably free) storage to protect them all!

Keith

 

Dare i say it. they might be able to hire one to the WSR.... (puts running shoes on and tin hat)

 

That approach is folly as eventually you end up with all needing most work doing. Traffic needs, yes, longest out of service, yes but never least work unless you are desperate.

 

Not my railway or my loco, but given that it is in secure covered storage; and the MHR doesn't seem to be desperate for funds (at least no more than any other railway), what is the advantage of selling - especially as now is likely a depressed market? I don't think there is any rule that says that locos must be turned round as quickly as possible; nor that railways should only have two classes of loco - in traffic or under overhaul. If a loco sits unused for a while, but is secure, what is the problem?

Tom

 

Secure covered accommodation that has to be paid for, so there’s a potential cost saving there. The sale proceeds could help the MHR get through the current difficult times, or used to get other locos back in traffic more quickly.

Not saying it will or should be sold. Just raising the question as it’s seemingly no longer needed for the purpose it was bought - replacing 73096.

 

But neither of them are in traffic so it’s immaterial at the moment.