MHR Restorations and Overhauls

You've brought me out in a cold sweat with the thought of that! BR Black please...

 

We already got 1838 in Green at moment anyway...

 

It can't be to long now before we will see 31806 in steam. Looks like most of the loco is now painted in BR Black. Lets hope we will see her on the Santa's.


http://lee.mediaobjects.co.uk/p68188916.html

 

A little off topic, but how many engines does the MHR steam for the Santas and what is the service frequency?

Regards

 

There is one problem with the tender Lee.

It is going to need a lot of rubbing down to get the layers of varnish off before repainting can be done.

That said it is going to be a nice set.

CW:

 

Here are details of the Santas. http://www.watercressline.co.uk/Events/27 You have to go through a couple of pages where it then shows the times of the trains. Loco's currently rostered are 45379 and 73096.

 

A cold day at Ropley on Wednesday.

Building work continues on the carriage shop, with sections of roof in place. Tony Wood has a nice picture at http://steamtube.ning.com/photo/rebuilding-carriage-shed?xg_source=activity

Some attention to 73096 outside.

31806 looking splendid after the lining had been applied, and the tender partly rubbed down in preparation for painting.

The Standard 4 (76017) now has painted frames. We reamed out the holes for the horn stay bolts and drilled out more cylinder studs. Steve has done a fabulous job on re-building the cab. Various plate work being done and Les was making up shields that sit inside the frames above the axle boxes.

Axle bearings being machined for Lord Nelson.

Remaining bits of 35018 being gathered together.

Pictures of all this, and an update from the Cheltenham team at Eastleigh at www.watercressline.co.uk

 

Interesting about 35018. I didn't realise there were still items belonging to it hanging around at Ropley. I presume they're going to South Coast Steam?

 

Another cold day at Ropley so grateful to be inside working on 76017 while many others were doing a massive shunt outside to retrieve the van containing more parts of 35018. I believe they will join the other parts and be shipped to Portland.

I think 34105 Swanage may now be nearest to the shed in the headshunt - watch this space.

The Watercress Line website contains an announcement that 34058 is moving to MHR for restoration - the first parts evidently arrived at Alresford on Tuesday. See http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Loco/View/340

The (loaned) tender for 31806 is awaiting final painting when the temperature rises.

The Carriage Workshop cladding is all on and the floor prepared for concreting once the next cold snap has gone.

Preparations in process for re-cladding gable end of the main workshop and the wall adjacent to the wheeldrop shed.

 

I was also surprised to see mention of 35018 parts remaining at the MHR, but ironic that that has been virtually the only mention of that fine engine anywhere since its owner decided to relocate it well over a decade ago. I would like to think that work has continued furiously at Portland to restore British India Line (the first rebuilt MN) to steam but I would not put money on it. I just hope progress accelerates and that it finds a permanent home appropriate to its class and its power.

 

You need to read the Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present thread which contains information about 35018. There has been no work done on this loco since it was removed by the owner some years ago.

 

A bit off-topic, but I heard yesterday that we might be getting a visit from the Parry People Mover later this month. Perhaps the Watercress Line web site will mention it once evreyones back from Christmas. Theres an article in the PPM Newsletter here http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/pdf/NL58.pdf

It will be interesting to see how it handles the "long drag" from Alton up to Medstead & Four Marks - even more interesting to see how it would be rescued if it doesnt make it, as I think it has no buffers or couplings. Perhaps the Wickham Trolley?

 

Already being discussed here.

http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php/28929-Mid-Hants-Parry-People-Mover

 

U Class 31806 seen in Ropley yard during a mega shunt http://stephen-leek.fotopic.net/p68708175.html

 

That looks real good i put money into this engine when it was first saved .Good to see it like this ,well done Frank and the lads

 

Oh she does look smart.

 

Wow, the U class looks stunning in lined black, can't wait to see her in steam for the March Gala. Well done guys.

 

Looks very nice.

Nice to hear as well that 34105 is getting closer to the workshop door.

 

The U boat does look rather good, like every on else - I cant wait to see her in steam after all the trials & tribulations, and if she does appear at the spring gala I have a sneaking suspicion that she might just steal the show.

It's also nice to see the very steady progress being made with Cheltenham. It will be really nice to see the two of them together in action.

By the way does anybody know if Cheltenham is going to be out shopped in Southern green or BR livery?

 

U class does look great. Didn't the Mid Hants site say a steam test was due at the end of the month or did I miss read.