MHR Restorations and Overhauls

I see also from this months Heritage Railway that "Cheltenham " is also going on holiday, this time to the GCR Autumn Gala. At this rate we will be running service trains with bl**dy diesels. I guess though it all brings an income into the Railway and of course this maybe part of the agreement with the NRM?

You're quick enough to welcome visitors to the Mid Hants - bear in mind that some of these may potentially be leaving their home railways short of engines - e.g. S15 825 in the autumn. It's all part of the give and take process by which lines cooperate to spice up their events. If it was always a question of "take" I think you find progressively fewer lines to "give".

 

A point of note is that 825 was a replacement for the Bluebells 847.

I agree about the "give and take" and was not trying to think about my own Railway first though I did think you were implying that, I was merely pointing out that another Loco was on it,s travels.

You need to lighten up a little Roger

Regards
Chris:

 

Nat Pres at it's best again - at which pub after how many pints did we hear this one?

What has happened with Nellie that it has started to be fettled into something like a useful tool - amongst other things it's now starting to use steam in the way it was intended at the front end, something it never did after its original restoration.

And I didn't hear that down the pub, I noticed it when I was driving it.

 

Reading an old issue of Steam Railway mag. The original idea was for both loco's to attend the September gala.

 

You need to lighten up a little Roger

I shall note that advice, coming as it does from someonewho understands the problem well!

 

Looks as though I am in good company then

Chris:

 

Times change so quickly Lee

LOLOLOLOL

Chris:

 

Sorry that was me! I asked a Director why Nelson had been so reliable recently (a good thing by the way) and that was the answer I got! I know that those at Ropley have been working there way through a number of improvements, upgrades, repairs or whatever you want to call them over the last year or so. Anyway, the original remark was meant to be a bit tongue in cheek, no offence meant. And no-one had been drinking when I had the conversation (we were on duty!)

 

Here here. The other improvement has been getting the injectors to behave better.

 

Looking around Ropley yard today 41312 and 31874 had both been moved in to Ropley yard. A few volunteers had been given a task to clean 41312.

 

And when we passed on the Belle tonight, Nelson was sitting by the wheeldrop sans connecting rods...

 

its stopped for a washout and for a few other jobs hence why the rods are off

 

Two questions -

Does anybody know if Mid Hants News has been published yet? - I only ask as it was supposed to be out at the beginning of this month and as we're almost at the end...............................

Is anybody working on the Standard Four going to be brave/daft enough to resurrect the blog, as its always nice to keep up to date with what's going on.

As an observation, its nice to hear that the Ivatt's boiler is to be lifted soon - does this mean that its about to undergo overhaul?

As a complete aside - An interesting comment in this weeks GCR news letter form the M.D. regarding their Thomas event............................... http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/Newsletters/Weekly_Newsletter_2012-07-18.pdf

 

No sign of the MHN yet, although I live in Alresford mine is regularly one of the last to be delivered! Still, my pic was on the cover last issue!
Apparently John Jones is keen to get the Ivatt running again and has funds, so that is good news, she is a lively little loco, had her on the Belle a lot but could be a bit of a problem out of Alton on autumn nights with all those slippery leaves!

 

And deservedly so - simply stunning!

Bless his little cottons - definitely looking forward to seeing that romp up the banks again - if things carry on the way they're going the MHR will have more operational loco's than they have trains for Lol! - a position a lot of lines would give their right arm for.

Re your last comment about leaves on the line - does anybody know if there are plans afoot to do something about the tree line, either by pollarding or complete removal of some close to the lineside?.............

 

Dave, the permanent way department is without a budget at the moment, you can draw your own conclusions on that one:

I am under the impression that the Ivatt has jumped the queue as far as restorations are concerned with Urie S15 at the top of the list followed be the Ivatt. As you know the latter was to MT276 standard so there should not be too much wrong with it.

See you Saturday:

Regards
CW

 

I'm guessing you mean 75079 by the Standard Four. I know the Thursday gang are still working on platework etc as I was talking to one of them at the weekend. If you want a blog update, I'd suggest you drop the railway a note via Railmail asking for one.

The other Standard Four (The "BR Pig") 76017 is mentioned regularly in the Wednesday Gangs blog on the MHR web site. The intention is to get the rolling chassis overhauled and back together. Lots of dimensional problems being sorted out with axleboxes/horns and valve gear so its a little slow as solutions are sorted out.

I'm told the Ivatt is next into the mechanical and boiler shops but that will depend on being able to get something out to make space for it. Its excellent news - everyone likes that loco.

 

I think the idea is that the Ivatt and a three coach Bulleid set will be out at about the same time.

 

That was my thoughts too Phil, so I had better crack on the the Bullieds then?

Regards
Chris:

 

Oh Dear, from a southern man too!!!!:redface: