MHR Restorations and Overhauls

828 is owned and maintained by the Eastleigh Loco Preservation Society. They are doing most of the work on the bottom-end themselves, while the boiler has gone away to, I think, Chatham. MHR staff have helped out with a few jobs, loan of tools, etc. and I think the ERPS guys have lent a hand with a couple of MHR tasks. Discussions about running agreements, loco hire etc. are probably going on in the background but nothing is likely to be announced until the loco is near the end of her overhaul. Personally, I would expect to see her running on the MHR for some of the time but I'm sure she'll spend some time elsewhere too.

 

At this moment in time they are working on the tender

 

I was under the impression 30828 boiler is still in Ropley yard behind the coal heap/top end of yard I saw them working on it the other Saturday?

 

It is.

Also:

The original boiler fitted to 30506 upon preservation when rescued from Barry which was thought to be economically unrepairable and thus condemned, is now at Portland. It is being evaluated for repair to go on 30499.

The first boiler fitted in preservation to 30506. ex:30828 boiler is near the main Ropley shed i believe.

30506`s second boiler fitted in preservation ex:30499 boiler is in the Ropley boilershop.

 

Yep your right, sorry 30825

It is rather ironic, that at this time. 30825`s donated boiler is now possibly the one in worst condition of the three that the Urie locomotive society own!

I emphasise the word (possibly).

 

I'm not sure how up to date this is? http://www.urieloco.co.uk/loco499.html


As of Dec 2009 it states this; http://www.urieloco.co.uk/latestnews.html

Also see the following; so the group returned to Barry and purchased a second boiler (no. 799) and this was eventually put on 506 in February 1981

 

According to the website, a start has been made to restore 75079 by the same team that restored the black five 45379.

I wonder how long this one will take.

Regards
Chris:

 

Hi Chris,

Do you know what the state of play is the boiler? I did a few things to the Valve Chests a few years back (I think Martin called it "Winkling" from memory) :S

It involved cleaning out the chests with Parafin and rods etc...... I would imagine this will need doing again with what may have been accumulated inside during this time?

Cheers

Andy

 

Andy Netherwood the boilersmith checked out the boiler before it arrived the the Plym Valley Railway.

I understand it was in good condition.

Regards
Chris:

 

Would the boilersmith check the condition of valve passages and bore when carrying out an boiler exam? i thought that valves and cylinders came under mechanical

 

Having just read the latest edition of "Ropley Ramblings" (meant in the nicest possible way, as its good to be kept informed).

I notice inference to plans at Ropley - Apart from the HLF projects that are underway - just what else is planned for the site?

Dave

 

Glad you enjoy Dave (Ropley Scribe)s notes on the Watercress Line web site - assuming thats what you mean. They are here http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Loco/View/397. I was Temporary Assistant Scribe last week, and relieved to say that Dave was back with us this week.

I don't speak for the railway but this is my understanding. Dave and I have mentioned work in preparation for the next stage of the HLF project to develop the workshops side of the site, which starts in March after the work on the Carriage Workshops is complete. In outline, the back end of the main workshop is being extended SW by around 70 ft . If you're on the site, the end of it will line up with the green downpipe on the gents toilet on the station, and the wall alongside the roadway will continue in a straight line.

That means the stuff at the back end of the shed will all have to be removed so the ground can be levelled - this includes the two stores containers, various machinery and metal parts, outbuildings etc. The stores containers will be moved into the main workshops in the next few days. Also the containers on the other side of the roadway will have to be moved to allow the roadway to be slewed. A lot of this will be moved to the area vacated by the turntable.

The building extension will be two-storey - stores (and machines?) downstairs and offices, mess, etc upstairs. Ropley Manor can then be removed/demolished.

Hopefully that explains whats happening on the workshop side of the site.

There was a project for the other side of the site last year - announced here http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Latest/View/15. I don't know the status of this one.

 

Colin,

Many thanks for the info.

Yes, I for one definitely enjoy the the weekly up dates of what is going on at Ropley - long may they continue.

I knew that there were ambitious things planned, but didnt realise just how big - obviously they must have something to do with the vast amount of restoration projects that are stacking up. (must have something to do with the quality of the workmanship)

Exciting times indeed !

Thanks again

Dave

 

Today at Ropley, the cab of 75079 was lifted by steam crane in the yard.

I also saw the progress on Urie locomotive tender 30506. The work being done on the raves is first class.

Regards
Chris:

 

Hi everyone,

31806 had her test run to Medstead & Four Marks this afternoon and then another trip to Alresford. Can’t be to long before we see her on a service train.

http://lee.mediaobjects.co.uk/p69033261.html

 

Great news, cant be long now. Look forward to my first ride behind her soon.

 

I thought we might be in with a chance of the U-boats first (recent) passenger train today. The Hampshire unit came to a stop just outside Alresford (I was TTI), and it occured to me that the nearest "Thunderbird" was probably the U.

We were all relieved when the driver re-started Hammy and we went on our rainy way. It then occured to me that Hammy doesnt have vacuum brakes so we'd have had to wait for the Crompton.

 

Good to see the U out on a test run at last ... And even better to see 1125 out vice the mechanical things.... Passenger may like them for the view but the Hampshire unit is the REAL Mid Hants train running the line.. David

 

Just read the latest article "Ropley back to school" on the Mid-Hants website (http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Loco/View/411) - good news about the boiler move to Ropley and the latest update on the state of the new boiler, carriage and wagon workshop.

I would like to argue the point raised in the following statement:

"Sam was busy creating a new storage pen for the gas bottles used in the shed. This will eventually be situated outside the workshop and all the gas bottles stored there as opposed to inside the shed. Whilst not a mandatory requirement, following last years fire, it would ensure that in the unlikely event of any future incident, the safety risk to the fire brigade would be significantly reduced and therefore better aiding efforts to deal with a blaze."

If you look for the relevant information on the HSE website, they state the following regarding the storage of gas bottles which I would have thought was common sense and should have been followed initially?

• Store gas cylinders in a dry, safe place on a flat surface in the open air. If this is not reasonably practicable, store in an adequately ventilated building or part of a building specifically reserved for this purpose.
• Gas cylinders containing flammable gas should not be stored in part of a building used for other purposes.
• Store cylinders where they are not vulnerable to hazards caused by impact, eg from vehicles such as fork-lift trucks.

Where a workshop is small and external space is limited, or non-existent, then gas bottles could be stored inside. Where a workshop is larger and space is available outside (such as at Ropley), then gas bottles should never be stored inside and should be located in a secure (ventilated) container outside the building.

It would be interesting to hear the opinions of the person at the MHR who is responsible for H&S as to why this was not done before ...