Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Possibly because they were named after a number of different schools (and colleges). Other classes had more generic names - "West Countries" wouldn't work, as there is only one West Country, likewise "Battle of Britains".
There are probably exceptions that don't fit my thinking, but does it really matter?

Steve B

 

Given the MHR isn't in the best place with motive power, especially with the concerning rumours about 76017, I'd have thought the next locomotive in the overhaul queue would be something which could be overhauled quickly. So starting on 34058 or 80150 I'd have thought is unlikely.

My money would be on Nelson or the Black Five, the former if the NRM agree and the latter if it can leave Margate, as I gather neither were completely knackered when they left traffic.

CanPac and 75079 should hopefully enter traffic in the next few years as well.

 

Alot will depend on the extent of boiler work each engine needs, that's where the real cost is, and the time it's going to take, Engines that have ran on treated water for the bulk of their last ticket might be a better proposition, as your using pure water, with the corrosive parts removed, I would favour 73096, because it ran the bulk of its last ticket using treated water, , and the overhaul done on the boiler was meant to be good for two ten year tickets, so hopefully shouldn't need as much work as a boiler thats totally knackered, But who knows, maybe inspections should be done on 34058 and 80100 If the boilers are in good condition, they might actually need less work, nothing should be ruled out, the next 12 months is going to be difficult, if the 7f, can remain in traffic, with 506, that's two large engines for the illuminations trains, and the Santas, but next year, from April, the railway might have to resort to 1 steam, 1 diesel for the bulk of the season, with the ivatt and 506, and the 7f being used sparingly, if its now tired, until 75079 and 35005 are completed,

 

I'm not sure how far it's overhaul has progressed, but is 92212 due to return to the railway when it's complete?

 

Is Dave still operational? That’s been used in emergencies in the past.

 

stripped down for ten-year overhaul,

 

There’s always Kilmersdon I suppose!

 

Now that would be interesting, ok it's limited to two coaches, will need water stops at every station, and isn't timetable friendly so it would have to a day when it can have the line to its self, so pre booking only, and limited to 100 per trip i bet there would be no shortage of drivers and firemen wanting to try it, you could throw in a run past at Ropley also.

 

Don’t give someone ideas!

 

Actually, i have been thinking about how you could make it work, Water can be taken at Alresford, Ropley, and Alton, If there's no other train running, at Medstead, an 08 & water tanker flat bed with a pump can be stabled on the down, (up is towards Alton) when the engine pulls in, it stops next to the water tank, the saddle tank can be filled via the pump the train can then depart to Alton, On arrival again at Medstead, the water tanker can be propelled down the platform, and the tank topped up, the engine can once its arrived at Ropley, unload it passengers, run back into the yard under the water tower, replenish, and perform a run past, before setting back picking up passengers .and departing for Alresford

 

I'd pay good money to see that take 5 Mk1's up Medstead bank unassisted!

 

Sadist!

 

I feel that a short term hire will need to be looked at. If they have any money to afford that...

 

Several lines seem to be facing loco issues right now. Has two years of interruptions due to the whole Covid thing demonstrated another weakness of the 'just in time' production line approach we've all become so used to?

 

Not really sure what the alternative is though? There is only limited funds and workshop capacity for overhauling locos, so difficult to turn them out any faster.

In any case the MHR had a sustainable motive power plan in place. It’s only the potential sudden loss of a loco with 4 years left on it’s ticket that has put a spanner in the works.

 

I like to see it try! But then I wouldn't want to put the crew and the loco through it.

 

This was always a problem waiting to happen, the previous management, should not have overhauled 76017 and started on 34105, without being 100 per cent clear about who owned what percentage of the locos, and having an cast iron agreement in place, that would not allow the potential loss of the loco's from the line, If the 75 had been overhauled instead, then, she might be in traffic now, and possibly the std 5, the 4, along with Swanage, could have remained in store, until ownership had been resolved, and agreement reached with all the traceable shareholders, instead money and time has been wasted, and both are now in limbo, 34105, until all shareholders can be found, then an agreement reached, and as regards 76017, talks to find out what the owners plans are, do they want to move the engine else where, or return it to the MHR, i'm assuming it has now been sold by the owning group to a single person, who may have owned shares in it, So talks have to take place, to identify what this persons plans are, but at the same time, an olive branch offered should the engine return , it might mean some decisions that some might not like, but enough water has flowed under that bridge, for there to be at least amicable conversations.

 

deleted post.

 

I understand that a loco is being prep for a Christmas visit to the Mid Hants.

 

Not sure railway restoration has ever been “just in time” - “it’ll be ready when it is ready” is more often heard.

I’ll make no comment about the specifics of the MHR, but I think in general, Covid, coupled with supply-chain issues, has probably put a 12 - 18 month dent in overhaul schedules. At the same time, operational locos didn’t get a 12 - 18 month extension; the outcome is pretty inevitable for anyone who was already a bit tight for motive power.

Making the situation worse, I don’t think this year was an especially great one in financial terms, and next year doesn’t look great either for an industry reliant on discretionary spending. Across the sector, we could be in for a rough couple of years, and even if things recover financially from 2024, the damage in overhaul schedules will be done, probably for years to come. Get used to seeing ever smaller operational fleets and more locos stored out of use.

Tom