MHR Restorations and Overhauls

WOW good find, I first thought that might of been the previous grant for the building of the new Manor.. but its June 2104 in the web title!

£894,700 is some award if its true! I am sure the application was to provide employment for several apprentices to work on the overhaul of Can Pac as well as some other projects.

 

That's what I thought as well. The Mid Hants are also recruiting apprentices... Could be reading something into this but you never know


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That is some grant................... BUT has it been published after the event?................................

As I said in my last post in this thread, Can Pac has nothing to do with this, So is it a combination of applications?........ apprentice's etc?.... (apprentice's ain't going to earn that amount of wedge doing their time!) Harry Potter bridge?..... until there's an official statement, who knows.......

 

Yea that's true and if my predictions of the World Cup are anything to go by I am completely wrong .

I bet a tenner on Spain winning the World Cup with costa being top scorer:-(

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Well I am 99% sure that the current lottery is relating to the restoration of Can Pac (having previously completed a questionnaire for the MHR relating to the grant) or at least that is one of the major items on the list!

I am sure there will be a press statement in the near future.

 

Had 31806 on the Belle tonight, some fine running by the crew (including Billie Jacobs) Nellie, 31806 nad 925 out tomorrow 9there is a two train service and a private hire- I was tempted to bail out on the first trip and head up to Rookood lane for a glinty shot...but we hadn't finished washing up by the time we left Alresford the second time. 34016, 31625 31874 all still in the headshunt at Ropley and 73096 right at the front/back of the queue behind 506's tender...

Anyway, apparently 76017 is coming along nicely, and I am looking forward to being pulled by her again...

 

I see from riding the trains last Sunday, that the 'hill' has now gone!!

How long have you got?.......

Boy, I love all this speculation!!

 

I didn't realise that this weekend is the last planned working of 31806 at the MHR, I guess it's worth posting this then:

U Class 31806 & Lorde Nelson 850 by timz2011, on Flickr
The U was being prepared for the Belle, with Nellie on the RAT ECS.

A DD said, the rest of the Bunch locos were in the Ropley headshunt (not that I got a chance to see them!).
In the yard were the Black 5, Wadebridge & No. 1 cold, with Cheltenham in light steam.
Britannia remains a 4-4-2, and 92212 still has parts of the nearside motion / cylinder undergoing work.

Cheltenham:

Schools - 925 - Cheltenham by timz2011, on Flickr

Black 5:

Black 5 - 45379 - Ropley by timz2011, on Flickr

Britannia:

70000 Britannia Ropley by timz2011, on Flickr

 

Err, you're a week early........................................

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/article.php/121/loco-roster/5a932e22b69234871cce5f066b189131

Unless of course something untoward happens...........

Next Sunday should be her swansong. It'll seem strange not having her out & about anymore!

BTW like the pic's.

 

Lol we all love speculation and this speculation is much better than if Sterling will sign for Real Madrid or not.


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D'oh.... Well, that gives me a chance to get a better picture next weekend (if it's not raining). I agree, it will be odd not to see her about, but I guess all things come to pass eventually

Thanks for the comment on the pics

 

???????????????????

 

You could always go for final spin behind her too!!

I have to admit, I was pleasantly pleased to see her in steam yesterday when I popped into the yard first thing - though she alluded my attempts to photograph her at Alton during the day......... she rolled in every time I had a break on the platform...... and left the camera up the head shunt!!

Still, I managed this shot, just before heading home!!



Though I doubt I'll get the chance to see her next weekend - too much mainline steam to be had, Saturday, if all goes to plan could be a very long day!!

Which leaves me wondering........ just how busy will her final service trains be??? Given that which engine starts from which end isn't usually published - or will next weekend be an exception??

 

That is an excellent shot. Love the PP, and beautifully framed. I wish I had the patience to get shots like that, and process them that well. I suppose she'll be on the Belle and Wadebridge on the RAT. No sure that we've ever had the U pulling the RAT, and I doubt we'll get her next week.

 

Thanks very much for the compliment!

It was actually a snap shot, as the one I had planned was ruined at the last minute............... .......and I couldn't see what I was doing, sitting in the shade with tired eye's doesn't help!

Here's a final one from the morning!

 

I think the U is thought a little underpowered for a 6 coach full laden train, although Cheltenham did the Belle/RAT ECS shunt at Alresford yesterday evening and then took the 6 coach ECS to Ropley - normally we have a 37 or 50 diesel do that! I had wondered if the U would be on the RAT as the Belle gets 925 more often than not.

I am abroad next Sunday so will not see the U's final day in MHR service....

I hope 76017 becomes the regula Belle loco though, she does the job well...I suspect 41312 might get used a lot too though (I notice the frames and tanks are in the headshunt at Ropley past 31625 and the N, is the Ivatt's boiler now being worked on?? If so, will it make it back in service for the January tmetable??

 

When I was on the RAT last winter I was impressed by Cheltenham's spirited ascent from Alton to M&4M with 6+37/9 hanging on the back; that must be about 330 tons. I'd like to think it was done without any assistance, since 925 never seemed to be in any difficulty but was certainly working hard. I'd guess that adhesion must be the limiting factor to what she can do on the Mid Hants.

 

In amongst all this talk of the U going out of traffic, no seems to have mentioned the PROGRESS being made by the building dept in the erection of the much needed shelter on the up platform at Ropley - its bigger than you think!! And will certainly be a welcome addition to the Station.

 

I have been reading the building departments blogs and they look to be doing an amazing job. With me time being based at Eastliegh I miss most of the lines progress.


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The Up platform shelter will be amazing when completed early next year.
Utilising four cast iron columns cast 150 years ago and rescued from Ringwood station the new shelter is based on a L&SWR design. Each of the four triangular trusses alone that mount the colums weigh well over a Tonne each.
Some serious carpentry and skills going on there