MHR Restorations and Overhauls

Indeed, it failed the first one last week.

Regards

Chris

 

It was the 150th Aniversary of the opening of the Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway today.
Alresford played host to a band (sorry no pictures) and Lord Nelson was the service loco today.

Mid Hants Railway 150th Birthday by Tim White, on Flickr

The Ivatt was out on display in the yard today.

Ivatt 2MT 41312 by Tim White, on Flickr


Ivatt 2MT 41312 by Tim White, on Flickr
Evidently progress is being made.

 

http://preservation.watercressline.co.uk/blog/entry/jib-up-rain-down

According to the latest blog update 41312 has its boiler back in the correct place.

 

That S15 tender got new paint Green?

 

Might it be the one from 828?

 

The freshly painted tender belongs to 828, during the gala they had attached a modern "Southern" name to it and numbers using bin stickers

 

I see the line got some good publicity today with the "Pudsey Express"!

 

Thought I'd rescue this from page 4!!!!

At the National Railway Heritage Awards the MHR was the winner of Stagecoach Group Volunteers Award for the Ropley waiting room.

Well done to those involved

 

Excellent news. The award is well deserved. Sat in the new building during the Gala to eat my Lunch and admired the excellent work.

 

Elsewhere it has been reported that 45379 is off to the WSR in March for their S & D Gala. I thought this was a little odd as in the latest issue of Mid Hants News it is reported that she has frame cracks and boiler Clack Box problems.
The frame cracks were temporarily fixed so that she could take part in the MHR Autumn Gala. Is she having a more extensive repair carried out before she heads to Somerset? Going to Somerset on a lorry probably won't help her condition.
The latest MH News is a little worrying when you read the Loco Shed pages as it seems that three of the serviceable locos currently have problems. 45379 has cracked frames and problematic clack boxes, 92212 requires a new Smokebox door and liner and has had her wheels out again and 34007 is apparently very fragile and has a reverser problem.
I wonder which loco's will be handling the Santa trains? 850 and 925 perhaps..............

 

Think about how long ago that was written..................

 

Dont worry about Wadebridge for

 

Or 850 and 92212......after Wadebridge rather disgraced herself on the Belle ten days ago, she has probably been sent to the "naughty step/siding"!

 

Most probably wrapped in cotton wool if she's to make the spring gala..............

By all accounts the 9f should be out to play soon.

Then we have the Ivatt 2 & Std 4 to look forward to.

 

I'm working on the Belle on Saturday, looking forward to a bit of Riddles Power!

 

That's good to hear about the return of the 9F. I thought the MHR might be heading into a loco crisis with 850 bowing out at the end of the year and 34007 on light duties. What has 34007 been up to to get sent to the naughty siding?
I am really looking forward to the return of 41312 and 76017. My memory is not so good these days and I can't seem to remember 76017 running on the line. I know I have seen her working as my parents used to bring me on the Santa Specials and my Father has pictures of 76017 in the snow at Alton Station.
I can only recall when 76017 was being towed around the railway by a Class 33 with Cond on the tender! (1997?)

 

From what I'm told, sat down on the bank the other Saturday night & had to be rescued...........

As for loco shortage, we only need two for the Satan Specials - so its falls to 850 & 92212, it would seem to carry them out, as 925's been winterised & no doubt 45379 will be worked on.

 

Many thanks for the update. I liked the Satan Specials comment. Perhaps they could be an idea for Halloween next year?
I was wondering what would be on the roster for this month as I am travelling on the last Dining train (19th December) and I am hoping to visit Christmas Leave on the 26th (a very good excuse to get away from the terrible Christmas telly).

 

Well we had pumpkin head lamps on 34007 this year - nice touch!

I too fully intend to be down on the 26th - anything to give me a break from the Mrs...........

As for the Satan's, well they are full of little devils. angels.....................

 

Why would that necessitate the loco being 'on light duties'?