Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Yes, but they could well be under contract to Swanage

 

Yes they are. When 34072 left Swanage, the contract with the Swanage Railway had to be terminated by mutual agreement.

That said it really wouldn’t surprise me to see either 34070 or 34028 move to the MHR. With the U, T3, another Bulleid and before long the M7 in action at Swanage, that is more than enough to meet their requirements. Also SLL and MHR have now developed a good working relationship with 34058, with might be further developed with other SLL locos coming to Ropley.

 

My rationale was that Swanage need to reduce their hire bill, MHR need a loco, and as I can't see the U going back, and the T3& M7 are a bit on the small side for the MHR, one of the Bulleids would be the obvious candidate. Provided Swanage have sufficient to maintain their services it should be a win/win arrangement. If Swanage are going to continue with a one engine in steam service three locos should be enough.

 

I very much doubt if the U will go back to the Mid Hants

 

I think hell might freeze over before any Bunch owned engine lands on MHR metals the only place i can see any of his engines going will be into storage at Southall, the std 4, has not found a new home, and if the Swanage railway decides it can't afford his toys, i could see the others joining it there, of course 31806 already being mainline equipped could potentially find work, on railtour work,

 

That's what 61624 said

 

If (and we're talking about a big if here), Swanage was to request a break of the lease, it would seem logical to wait until 31806 is out of ticket so that Swanage has extracted the maximum return on their investment in it.

 

its only recently got a new ten year ticket, so thats what, 8 years away, the financial problems are here and now, a break in the next year makes better sence, he gets one of his engines back in working order, with main line certified, that might be able to be put straight to work, the N has a fully overhauled Chassis, and motion, but needs a boiler overhaul, but does he have to money to fund it himself, ?

 

It might cost the Swanage more to break the lease than it would to keep paying the yearly fee.
If the loco was handed back I can't see Swanage handing over their mainline electronic gubbins, so it wouldn't be a mainline loco ready to go.
I have no idea whether Mr Bunch has the money to fund a boiler overhaul - that's none of my business (or anyone else's)

 

You’re assuming that the contract doesn’t have a break clause at a certain date, which it may do as that would be pretty normal. Just because one entity paid for the installation of a piece kit, it doesn’t mean that this remains theirs.

 

It has been quoted on the Swanage thread from the agreement - the break clause is in June 2029 (with 12 months notice to be given). Perhaps the kit wouldn't be the property of the SR, but I can't see any way that it could end up as the property of Mr Bunch (unless he purchases it)

 

Alres Loco today

 

She as been a god send to the railway, this past year, if the P&D had not allowed her loan spell, what kind of situation would the railway had been in hopefully another loan loco will be announced for next year, if the railway can afford one, if not expect less steam, more diesel usage,

 

I have no knowledge of what the railway is planning to do after Christmas...

...But surely for the short term, during the low season it should be possible to get by with just the S15, the Ivatt and Dave. It just needs careful planning to ensure that the S15 is available for any heavier trains (Belle / RAT).
This is unlikely to be sustainable into the busier season. But that does give 4-5 months to complete CanPac (I have no idea if this is achievable, but I do believe it has been all hands to the CanPac pump for the past year at least).

Utilising Dave also adds a bit of a USP, running an industrial full length over the alps for enthusiasts and something similar to (but not) #1 for the kids.
We know Dave can do it, as Dave was used successfully when we opened up after Covid.

Caveat - Is Dave back together yet?
Caveat2 - I know this gives no real margin for failures. So Diesel substitution may have to happen.

 

I believe Dave is still awaiting the new cylinder casting as the foundry has a backlog of work (I think thats right, feel free to correct me though!)
The bottom half of Can Pac is awaiting extraction from Eastleigh works at the moment, but once it is back at Ropley, it will indeed be the focus of much sustained effort to get the loco up and running.

 

Cylinder block was cast some time ago. The wait has been for it to be machined by an external contractor. I believe it’s back and now awaits fitting into the frames.

 

I’m hoping 35005 could be ready for next years Spring gala.

 

Thanks for that, I hadn't heard that it was back! I'd conflated the casting and the machining.

 

I don't think it will be done that quick, even with the bottom end already done, there is still a lot of work to be done, i would think late summer,

 

Thanks both. I thought I had heard that Dave's casting was back (but that would have been 3rd hand at least).
Hopefully once it is ready it won't take long to put him back together.

Regarding CanPac's extraction from Ropley. I thought I had heard that various agreements were in place to allow it to be moved avoiding the restriction. Is there any more news?