MHR Autumn steam gala & Autumn mixed traffic gala 2010

There is no need to moan, chessie i understand the railways aims, but youve got to admit 850's livery is AMAZING!

It will be a good event and the workshops are now working hard to get the locos out. The main mechanical focus of attention is 73096, and the boilershop is concentrating on 31806. All 3 should be out by september.

 

Who's moaning? And no I don't think 850's livery is as you put it. I remember this class of loco when they were all shedded at Eastleigh and all in Brunswick green. I thought that that livery suited them very well, as indeed, in my opinion, it suits most other big passenger locos.

 

Yes spot-on Chessie, my Dad has a number of photos he took at Eastbourne Engine Shed in the late 50's/early 60's of Black 5's and Jubilees, also even a B1 no.61313. Agree about 850 aswell, would look much better in Brunswick green but just thankful it's back running again.

 

I was referring to sidmouths comment. And there will always be differences in opinion when it comes to liveries.

 

A seven Loco line up including two restored and one repaired is a great line up in my opinion, and one will not find better elsewhere.

Is it me or is it that the whingers and rivet counters are the ones who never ever lift a finger to aid the Railway?.

Regards
Chris

 

Spot on Chris.

 

The Mid-Hants have a well thought out line-up of locomotives for September in my opinion, without needing to bring in a visitor. Will be nice to see 31806 return to steam and of course 45379!! You can just never get enough of a Black Five!!!

 

Agree about the Black five!!! Saw 44871 at the weekend, passing through Newton Abbot. It was certainly more noisy than Olly Cromwell and that takes some beating!

And on reflection perhaps i was a little too hasty in thinking the line up needed boosting with a visitor.

I am so looking forward to seeing 31806 back in traffic after so long, having helped out with restoring her when she first arrived at the MHR.

 

I’m looking forward to seeing 45379 and 31806 out on a freight train over the gala. Please Chris can we have the CCT’s added to the service trains for this event.

 

If you read my later post i said that it was my own preferential opinion to see a change of livery for 73096, but that if it stays as it is fine, no problem, i can live with that.

And yes i know that 31806 has never ran as James.

 

for once i can say i am not a 'rivet counter' and i am lifting my hands to help the railway

 

Negotiations are going on as I write this to do just that Lee.

Best regards
Chris:

 

It's a shame that the Mid-Hants is too far south for me to reach, or else this would definately be a must. I hope to God that 31806 is never painted as James; that goes to 31625 & 31874 when they return to steam an' all!!!

 

Regarding 31806, is she going to return with 31625's tender as a while ago a tender in the James Red livery and with Resco stickers on was being worked on in the shed.

 

I think you will find thats the idea.

 

Don’t forget the mix traction gala the following weekend which should also be a good event with the possibly of having two class 33s and a class 37/9 running. I would also think the 205025 Hampshire unit and the bubble car 122/117 two car unit will also be in service.

 

that tender is now in black undercoat, and yes it is the red james tender from 31625

 

sorry to dissapoint you,but its very unlikily that 31874 will steam again in the near future, no matter where she might end up, the boiler is worn out, she needs a new firebox and welded repairs to the frames as well as a full overhaul , 31625 is in better condition mechanically, but again needs boiler work , the original idea was to repair the boiler on 31806 and drop it into 31625 , just be thankfull that 73096 and 31806 are both being repaired and will have the chance to get some use before the owner removes his engines from MHR metals
Talking about the tender now behind 31806, isnt this the tender she ran with originally, because i know we used the tender from 31806 and fitted new raves on the sides when we restored 31625 unless the tenders were swopped again at a later date, we did have a new tender top made but i cant remember if that was used when she went red