Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

A repaint in to its current livery and also keep 30850 in its current livery when 30850 renters service. Turn both locos to face Alton would get my vote.

 

Oooh, a livery debate. Bring it on. <BJ>

 

I shall just leave this here:
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2019/06/repaint-for-steam-locomotive-925-cheltenham.html

 

I'm quite relaxed about what livery she carries, but saying that, early crest BR lined black does seem to suit Southern 4-4-0's or 2-6-0's better, when I was a member of the loco, all those years ago, the often wished about loco we wished we had was our own 9f, and a schools class both in a roundabout way have come to be, ok, both are not owned by the railway, but I can't see a situation where either would leave the line, except in the 9f's case for overhaul and to return once overhauled.

 

Great news.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

There was an article on last evening's BBC TV Southern news that the bridge reconstruction at Alton has encountered problems and is running late. Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere.

 

I for one cannot wait to see 925 in BR green, well done Timeline events, the mid hants and the nrm for working together on this

 

Meanwhile, back in the real world, troublesome trucks up at Medstead continue to succumb to the efforts of the hardy bunch of Saturday Wagonista's.......

The Presflo had some niggles with its Vac brake, cause unknown - not anymore - after a process of elimination, the culprit was found - a seized cross shaft - it ain't seized mo more!

So the Presflo moves ever closer to joining the rake.....

Elsewhere, the gunpowder van continues to progress at a sedate but steady pace & the refurb of the maroon CTT has now begun -whether or not it returns in maroon remains to be seen.......

Oh & 506 finally made it maiden appearance on the RAT last night, with 41312 doing the honours with the Belle.

Belle.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/48114123691/in/dateposted-public/

RAT

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/48114157398/in/dateposted-public/

 

Duty Druid and I shared a gate for support last night....here is my take on 506's maiden RAT....
Southern Country Sunset by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

Southern Sunset Silhouette by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

Summer Steam by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

She certainly didn't struggle with a fully loaded 5 on the climbs.

 

Hmmmm.....

My Ropley Spy has been pestering me this week....... anybody would think he was desperate to say something.........

Is it the fact he wants to remind folks its the ULS open day this Saturday at Ropley?..... No!

Or that 506 (I believe) will be in steam in the yard so you can get up close & personal with her & ask those involved from the ULS & MHR as many questions as you can think off?.... No!

Is it that they'd love you to come along & see how their progressing with 499 or even join the society & help progress 499 even quicker, because the clock is now ticking on having 499 & 506 in steam together?..... well...... YES!

He's actually been badgering me because he really does have something to share with you, before it hits the shelves in the Railway press!

But most certainly isn't about an H16!

The words & pics below are his not mine & you read it hear 1st folks!

"So, the euphoria of June 2nd has started to ease off (although I’m delighted to say it’s still a major talking point at Ropley) and those of us in the ULS engineering team can sit back and take stock of what we achieved……or can we?? Of course not, the return of 506 was only 50٪ of our journey; 499 is now the main focus of our efforts as we gear up to get stuck back into what is a hugely exciting project for all of us - to return 499 to traffic as near as we can to how she first appeared when built at Eastleigh works in 1920. So, I have an announcement for you:

• She will have a stovepipe chimney - you already knew that
• She will have no smoke deflectors – obvious really
• She will have an LSWR safety valve cover – the pattern was delivered last year, it is currently at the foundry for casting. I’m trying to get it for viewing at the open day, let’s see what happens.
• ….and now this. Some months ago a contributor to this forum asked about the smokebox door. My response was much as we want a proper LSWR style door, the price quoted (well over £10k) was completely unjustifiable. Fortunately the ULS never gives up and we came across an engineering company able to spin the correct door. The cost including tooling was still high, but following negotiations with the supplier and a couple of very generous donations which can only be used for the door, we decided to go ahead. So, not only can I now tell you that yes, 499 will be restored with the correct smokebox door, we actually already have it in our possession! It will be at Ropley for our open day this Saturday, June 29th, why not come along and see for yourselves?

We said we could replace the front end of 506 and get her running again and we achieved just that; now I’m promising you 499 is on the way back and the day she couples up with her younger sister at Ropley draws ever closer."

 

Just out of interest, is the Urie green the same as the Drummond livery as carried by M7 245

 

So the latest update on the Butts bridge roadworks website is an estimated completion date of September...

 

Sometimes I question my sanity.......

I decided late Friday, that instead of staying home yesterday & sweating me nuts off & quaffing cold beer yesterday, I'd go & sweat me nuts off up the yard at Medstead & actually do something and forego the ale until later - turned out I was not alone, so more progress was made on the gunpowder van, with more bits in 50/50 & more of the S&T CCT in red oxide - even if it was 41c in the direct sun - guess who drew that short straw on the GPV whilst the other 2 were in the shade under the CCT!

At least we got things done on two fronts - although we we're only there for the afternoon ( a whole day in that heat would've been unbearable....)

Afterwards I popped down to Ropley to see what was what....

It seems that 925's repaint is progressing.

50 027 seems to be edging ever closer - but as ever, lack of willing hands means progress is slow......

The ULS, by all accounts had had a good day - despite the weather - they had more folks turn up than they ever dared expect & something they didn't advertise, probably because they didn't know it was going to happen, was 506 giving short footplate rides, which obviously proved popular!

Later 76017 was out with the RAT https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/48160319436/ (Hope you like it MR S.... )

And 41312 was out on a private Jolly for the East Croydon/Bulleid Society annual outing. https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/48160312836/in/photostream/

 

Dear Druid

Indeed I do like the picture of the RAT

Stinch

 

The Butts Bridge website says September/October. I wonder if this is why the Autumn Gala has disappeared from the MHR website?

 

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=454248528473517

A short scene of 506 passing 41312 last Saturday afternoon. Little sequences like this are some of my favourite things to put together. I hope you enjoy it

 

I emailed the railway to ask about the Gala. I eventually received a reply stating that they couldn't give out any information at this time. Make of that, what you will.

 

Hmmmm.... Gordon sending his brother down?

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for the update. I hope they put an update on the web site soon.