MHR current info

Well guys, considering there is no available update on the MHR loco shed anywhere, being a volunteer i have just created one and will endeavour to update it whenever i can.

Locos running this weekend:- 34007, 850 (tomorrow 34007 is on footplate experience)

Today:- 34007 has had the work on it finished and did a test run from ropley to medstead and back, successful and will do footplate experience 2morrow. This means 30075 wont be doing it as it has done for most of the past week.
60019 and 92212 are away. 850 is being used at weekends. 5224 will only be used on standby until 73096 is back in service, which now that wadebridge is out, should have more work done.

73096's new cylinder is currently being bolted on and is fully machined. Its bogie is being washed ready to go on when work is finished around cylinder.

Thomas and Wadebridge had the boiler inspector looking at them (boiler inspector has to examine every single boiler mounting, so spends a lot of time there). Both are passed and Thomas is due to be cleaned this weekend as it is looking slightly worn, especially as it is up for overhaul after the august event, it will be given top priority.
(dont anyone dare mention boiler swapping with douglas)

31806 is having most of its fittings put on and i was lapping joints so they are flat and steam tight. It is due to be taken out of workshops and tested after the thomas event as preparations dictate that it cant happen before.

Bulleid coaches due to be moved into new cw workshops within the next week. And 31625's tender has been put into undercoat by duncan ready for a ne coat of black paint. 31625s tender is in better condition than 31806's so it is to be used.

That is all for today, and i will endeavour to update this page every weak if possible.

 

Thanks for that although the official web page has just been updated.

Regards
Chris:

 

Is 850 likely to be working next weekend? (First weekend in April)

 

There's a good chance of her running because it's the start of Thomas event for two weekends 2nd to 11th April.

 

I took these photo's a few weeks ago and sent them to the web site but for some reason they haven't been put on? I hope this gives an idea what is happening at Ropley.

 

It does Lee, and I also have learned that the revised trackwork has been completed in front of the C&W shed at Ropley.

This just leaves the ground work to be levelled and packed .

I understand that while Tim Beere is away, Anna Wilson-Barnes was deputizing for him so any reports and piccies should go to information@watercressline.co.uk

Regards
Chris

 

60019 and 850 tend to be on the thomas runs. 34007, 92212, 5224 will be on standby.

and chris, with your earlier statement, the reason for these updates will be that i am trying to give an idea of what is happening around the whole MPD, the current updates dont give everything as is going on. And as i dont take photos as i cant afford the memory space i dont send the reports to the website.

The track from the sheds is having concrete/ballast stuff being put around it.

 

Chris

Has the LMS sleeper been disposed of, or is the dismantling referred to simply to enable asbestos removal?

Many thanks.

 

asbestos removal is hapening at krs eastleigh.

 

According to its page on the VCT carriage survey website the asbestos removal is to allow scrapping, abeit with its bogies being retained.

Chris

 

thats odd because according to a driver at MHR, he has a share in it and he mentioned nothing about scrapping it. Bit of a waste thought. Seeing as it is historic. As least cosmetically restore it and leave it in a siding for the public to see, maybe somewhere around medstead or at alton headshuntl.

 

You have got to be kidding surely?

For one thing there is no space and who is going to restore it the owners? not on your nelly. No this is a scrapper and if the owners had looked after it, (if only painting the roof to keep it watertight), as we did the two sleepers at Horsted on the Bluebell Railway then it might have stood a chance. Still at least the bogies will be re-used.

Regards
Chris

 

What are the bogies any use for - they're 6 wheelers aren't they?

 

Yes they are 6 wheelers, I understand they have been asked for from another preserved Railway north of Watford Junction.
Regards
Chris

 

just realised chris. i think i was thinking it was the bluebell temporarily, MHR have not got siding space for display at all.

 

Well the siding at Alresford and the headshunt at Ropley are due to be extended.

 

No problem. The driver that you were referring to at the Bluebell is likely to be David Foale the Finance Director who I think has a share in the SLF at Sheffield Park.

Regards
Chris

 

Soon I hope Ralph, but unlikely until after "Thomas"

Regards
Chris

 

It's still interesting - I can't think of any coaches that require 6w bogies, even as spares