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MHR Restorations and Overhauls

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by LN850, May 21, 2010.

  1. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    It WAS inspected by someone from the Mid-Hants. That is all I am prepared to say.

    Regards
    Chris:
     
  2. Swan Age

    Swan Age Member

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    Well they run a 3 Car Berkshire Unit on the Dartmoor Railway, from Okehampton to Meldon Quarry, doesn't seem too much trouble for the unit as far as hill climbing ability.

    I believe they own another one that is in need of restoration, but would they be willing to part with it?

    The news that the Class 127 DMMU is not going to be restored is a surprise, but the fact that the stated aim to return the unit to running order by May, never happened gave clues that something must have been seriously wrong with it.

    I think someone has some explaining to do as to why a vehicle in such poor condition was transported to the railway financed partly from donations, only to be condemned.

    Surely the fact that it was offered for free was really a case of its too good an offer to be true and so it has subsequently been proved!

    If there is any residual money raised from the sale of the parts from the unit. I hope that it is put to good use in restoring something with a future such as 1125 or perhaps the purchase of the 115 unit that is up for sale at Barry Island which is apparently in good order.
     
  3. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    You asking me Lee?

    The answer is a definite NO Lol!

    It should stay in green, suites it and the line better, now if you want me to sort out the rest of the petroleum distillate box thingy's into two tone green - anything to get rid of those garish liveries! - buy me the paint & show me the money, oh and while I'm at it I'll shove a brush somewhere else and do a rake of Mk I's in blood and custard, and another in in B R Maroon, now they would look smart, and they would fit nicely! :D
     
  4. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

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    Oh how easy it is to be wise after the event. I'm perfectly prepared to explain the whole story, but this is not the forum. Questions on this point were made and answered at the AGM, quite right and proper that they were.

    What I am prepared to say is this. The unit was inspected on three occassions, and that was sufficient to suggest that there was something worth saving. Subsequently less manpower has been available than was originally indicated would be forthcoming, and far deeper problems discovered which would have been difficult to discover during the inspection.

    In essence whilst this unit was potentially repairable it required more resources (people, money and covered accomodation) than it was possible to justify expending on this project. It couldn't for example take precedence over the Bulleid coaches or a steam loco overhaul, or even the repair of 27007.

    With hindsight would we have taken it? Possibly not, though perhaps we would with a different level of appeal required first? What we have ended up with though is a useful trailer car, and the equivalent TSO in similar condition would have cost at least 3x what was spent on transporting the 3 cars. We also have some useful vacuum cylinders which will keep the Mk1s going, and some other parts such as AWS gear which are also difficult and expensive to procure. Most importantly, many useful parts will be reused to keep the rest of the 127s running.

    All the donators who funded the transport are being contacted individually.
     
  5. Swan Age

    Swan Age Member

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    Thanks for the info 21B and the outline explanation of the events that led to the decision to eventually abandon the 127 DMMU project.

    I accept that some things can indeed be worse than 1st thought and yes the vintage coaching stock must take priority IMHO.

    I suppose the unit would not have stood a sustained period of time in store and looking at all the restoration work going on at Ropley, it would probably be 10 years before any meaningful restoration work could be carried out on what would by then be an even worse pile of rust!

    It is just a shame that the railway is back to square one as far as having a representation of a 1st generation DMMU.

    I am certainly looking forward to 27007 running again in the future though.
     
  6. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    Back to steam locos again. Today 31806 was on duty with 50027 Lion which worked the first round trip with 31806 and then work to Medstead and Fourmarks again before working light engine back to Ropley. Leaving 31806 to continue working the last one and a half round trips. A shame they forgot to put the Santa Special headboard on.
     

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  7. Hampshire Unit

    Hampshire Unit Well-Known Member Friend

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    I went to photograph the last trip but got my timings wrong and saw the train disappearing from Ropley!
     
  8. Hampshire Unit

    Hampshire Unit Well-Known Member Friend

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    45132 is still around too - a slow but steady restoration as I understand it. Not had an update on that recently, (not seen the latest Mid Hants news yet in case there is an update there) I haven't seen it myself for a while, last time I saw it it was right at the end of the Alresford headshunt. With the return of the Diesel gala, perhaps this loco along with 27007 will have higher profile next year.

    Re the ex SDR DMMU, shame it was in worse condition than at first thought. I've got quite used to seeing it from the kitchen on the Belle
     
  9. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

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    45132 is making steady progress. I think a big step forwards will happen when the generator returns, which might not be that far off now. Hopefully we will put it on display in April at the Diesel Gala.

    Re-the DMMU. I think Swan Age is right. It couldn't have stood for much longer before it would be irretrievable.
     
  10. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    Next weekend locos should be 925 and 31806 with 34007 being the standby loco. Would be nice to see 34007 on the santa's
     
  11. Gilesy68

    Gilesy68 New Member

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    Sorry. I left it on the tender after the run up! Very nice picture though.

    Ian
     
  12. chessie1

    chessie1 New Member

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    ..along with the headcode discs on the 1400 ex Ropley.

    Good job Dash 8s can fly with bits left off (in joke - sorry)
     
  13. Gilesy68

    Gilesy68 New Member

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    Ah.....yes, you just can't get good cleaners anymore! :smile:
     
  14. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

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    Or firemen even.......Who educated you for goodness sake???

    BTW you still owe me that example of Dash8 documentation!!:wink:
     
  15. Linesidephotos

    Linesidephotos Member

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    Some pictures from todays Santas on the Mid Hants. 925 is the Alton end engine this year and 31806 seems to be the Alresford end so working tender first up the bank.
    Ho No No 2012 Mid Hants Santas
    Perfect sun today its a shame Sunday looks a dead loss.
    David
     
  16. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    I did hear 34007 will be the standby loco and will also be the banking loco on the Alresford set if required. Looking at the BBC Weather for tomorrow. It's showing a cloudy day but you can't always go by the weather forecast. A wait and see policy on the weather I think.
     
  17. Richard66

    Richard66 New Member

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    Still waiting to be contacted ....
     
  18. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Edited

    Chris:
     
  19. Hampshire Unit

    Hampshire Unit Well-Known Member Friend

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    Nice. I was stuck in the kitchen on the Belle for most of the day! Still 31806 sounded nice tonight and I've still got a fair bit of the fire in my hair! (after I finished cooking, no cinders in the watercress soup tonight!)
     
  20. Linesidephotos

    Linesidephotos Member

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    Not a lot of good if both locos are chimney into the train ! . which they will be as 31806 is the train engine.
     

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