Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

It would be good to see 506 back, I had many happy hours on that engine but I have to say, she will only return to traffic once the loco dept are happy with her, she will need running in, fine tuning and some light engine miles before she is deemed ready, most likily she will double head with a service loco before working solo, so someone might get lucky

 

Sorry to everyone for the lighthearted post. I didn’t think it would be taken that way☹️.

 

You're welcome.

 

Sadly sometimes lightheartedness does not come across on the net. Sorry for over-reacting.

 

Cheers Dave - I'm just very much looking forward to seeing a pre-grouping (just!) loco running as part of the MHR fleet.

Encouraging to hear of another coach entering service - The more the merrier! And the more we have entering service the more attention the current service fleet can have.

 

It’s been sometime since anyone has posted any photos from Alton (butts). Work on the new bridge is well underway with the concrete supports being install.

 

Well, well, it seems my Spy likes to read Nat Pres......

Given the recent exchanges regarding 506, he's asked me to post the following on his behalf - these are his words, not mine!

"Whilst not a subscriber to National Preservation, I do regularly read content updates having particular regard to matters relating to the Mid Hants Railway and especially those reviewing what we’re up to in the ULS. I guess you’re all happy with the way we handle things as the comments are always complementary, and for that we are extremely grateful. Whether members or simply ‘interested onlookers’, the moral support we get from people like yourselves really helps to drive us on and ensure we achieve our mutual goals of returning 499 and 506 to steam. Bringing things back to the ‘here and now’, I have read with a wry grin the recent thread discussing 506’s return to traffic, particularly the ‘it will be ready when it’s ready’ line!! The author said it was made as a light hearted comment, but that was certainly not how some readers interpreted it….to be honest, I can see both sides of the discussion. We are regularly asked at Ropley for a forecast date and up to now we have been reluctant to say anything other than ‘when it’s finished’. This is not about keeping secrets or being deliberately unhelpful, rather it has been about protecting what is precious to us all – time. We need to remember that 506 will be 100 years old next year so even in the closing stages of her overhaul there is always the chance that something could go wrong or an unexpected problem is discovered which pushes everything back and completely screws up the plans enthusiasts may have made to come and see the loco. There is nothing I would love more than to tell you when she’ll be ready but please believe me I will only do this when we are confident that date can be achieved…..we don’t want to waste your time with potentially false promises. What I can say is good progress is being made at the moment, with the infamous ashpan now completed and the grate fully installed. Most recently work has been going on with the blower valve, the cylinder drain cocks mechanism and some adjustments to the valves…..all this happening whilst the loco is receiving final coats of paint & varnish. 506 is in the wheeldrop looking very much a Urie S15, resplendent in Southern wartime black; I know I’m biased but she looks fantastic!! The steam test is booked, there will be the usual light engine and load test runs and then she will return to traffic with a fanfare headed by Bob Urie, our President, and Mark Collins from Wave 105, our Honorary Patron. The date is yet to be announced, I will tell you as soon as I can and hopefully you will all be able to join us, in the meantime thank you once again for your support which means so much to the group. One last thought…….I am away on holiday the second week of June, hopefully this will all be wrapped up before I go!!!!

The Druids Ropley Spy."

Hopefully that little lot will keep folks happy!......

 

That post has made my day!

 

I'm so glad.

The things I do for folks...... & I'm still waiting for my payment!.....

My weight in beer would do, as that would cost him & not just any old beer either!

Wonder if he's reading this?.......

 

The spies are everywhere...

Just beware of the Men in Malachite, that's all I can say...

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

 

A spy was recently run to ground trying to hide in the Bulleid patent oil bath on 34007.....
Looking for the Ropley cat? by Arle Images, on Flickr

 

Nice to see 47579 was in action again today on its running day.

 

Here's my take on Saturday's running day with the 47. T he Ivatt and the Standard 4 operated the two steam services. The weather was a bit of a mixed bag, with sunshine, showers and the ever present freezing cold wind.

 

Forgot to mention that all these photographs were taken from publicly accessible areas.

 

Even though it's well into the Birds Nesting season?

 

Crikey, just like buses, you wait ages for one & then two turn up!

My Ropley 'spy' it seems quite likes Nat Pres.....

So he's asked me to post the following - again, they're his words, not mine.

"To all those who want to see 506 as soon as she’s in steam, don’t book an early summer holiday......we’re talking weeks, not months!!! Keep watching this space!

The Druids Ropley Spy"

 

Alton bridge opening looks like being delayed later then expected?

https://www.buttsbridgeroadworks.co.uk/single-post/2019/05/16/Butts-Bridge-Scheme-Update

 

*************** STOP PRESS*************

My Ropley Spy has asked me to post the following statement on his behalf - his words & photo.

I'm guessing that he and the others in the ULS are feeling more than a little chuffed right now!


18 years ago in 2001 the last fire was dropped from 30506. There followed a couple of years of negotiations for new contracts with the MHR and then the ULS engineering team finally began the job of stripping the loco down for overhaul. It’s fair to say the guys had a reasonable inkling of what was required to sort the boiler, including copper welding to the inner firebox and complete replacement of the crown stays; the real horror story lay as yet undiscovered deep within the loco. With the motion taken down and the pistons & valves removed something very concerning became apparent…… the cylinder blocks were pushed out at the top by a good ¼”. They were definitely not loose, so there was only one way we were going to be able to fully identify the cause of problem…..the blocks had to come off! That was truly a task the like of which none of us had ever done before but in true ULS style we just took a deep breath and got on with it. All the bolts had to be burned out, not too bad for the top and side ones, but the 2 bottom rows were a complete nightmare; the bolt heads are inside the centre casting so there was no way to drill through, they simply had to be blown out ‘blind’ with the gas axe. If anyone’s ever seen the casting you’ll know there is only one access point and that’s the bit we had to lean in to remove the bolts. You are blocking light with your own body, it really is a hostile environment. Anyhow, eventually it was a case of job done and with the blocks removed we finally saw the cause of the problem…..rust! Over the years the corrosive atmosphere under the smokebox had taken its toll and the frames became badly corroded to the extent they were 1/3 of normal thickness in places. A simple decision was taken…..we have to strip the front end down completely and replace the front frame sections!!! Daunting was not the word, but we knew we just had to get on with it not really knowing if we would ever be able to achieve the end goal. We measured, we cut, we drilled, we welded and we riveted; eventually the front end was done. How far out we were would be determined when the slide bars (sitting between the cylinder block on the new section and the motion bracket on the old) were fitted. So, cometh the day, how much will we need to file out, how much will we need to weld up??? Well, it’s like this…the pins went in without need for ANY adjustment; I know ‘cos I was there! That was when we knew we’d done it….we had successfully part re-framed a 90+ year old steam engine. It was also the first time this motley collection of bumbling buffoons and grumpy old gits had ever shown any signs of emotion – ‘yeah sure, you’re wiping your eye ‘cos you’ve just got a bit of dust in it’!!! Great job done guys but will the loco ever really steam again. The boiler had for a few years been under the care of the MHR boiler team and now it was time for the railway’s engineering team to get involved. The ULS finished the front end and handed the loco over whilst keeping some involvement to help the guys along. They got stuck in, paid staff and volunteers alike and gradually our baby started to look her old self. Then the boiler was lifted in, boiler fittings started to appear, motion went up and suddenly a shiny coat of black paint was everywhere. 506 in Southern wartime black livery with sunshine lettering was looking glorious in the wheeldrop. And now, 21st May 2019, I am proud and honoured to tell you all she’s ready. The fire was lit last week, safety valves set on Friday and today 506 passed her final steam test. There are a few more bits to complete before running-in trials commence then once the shake down is complete there will be a formal launch to recognise we have finally reached our journey’s end. I hope as many of you as possible will come along, at the moment the date is pencilled in for June 2nd but please bear in mind this is very much subject to change if anything untoward is discovered. We want 506 to be running for the full 10 years so won’t risk releasing her to traffic too soon if there is work still to be done.

I cannot begin to say how proud I am of the ULS guys for all they’ve done over the years to get us where we are today; so many times the easiest option would have been to just give up. To all the staff and volunteers from MHR, our deepest gratitude goes out to every one of you for all you have done to help see this project through to fruition. And to enthusiasts and the public alike, who have supported us along the way and stood by us throughout the highs and lows of the past 18 years, I say thank you so much, I hope you all feel it’s been worth the wait.

My family have asked what on earth we will do now…..easy, 499 restarts tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Fantastic news! I think I know where I will be on 2nd June..... Fingers crossed.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

A job well done.