Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Meat van 870073 arrived today.

 

Bodmin - see http://www.ws.rhrp.org.uk/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=7879 Nice to see a complete one as, according to VCT register all the others are bodies only.
Ray.

 

Cheers

 

Correct, ex-Bodmin. Maybe actually be mid-identified according to this thread:
http://www.departmentals.com/departmental/083315#comment-5844

Bodmin confirm restored at St. Blazey Roundhouse in the 1980s before arriving with them in 1990, but have no other recorded information available. If anyone can confirm that would be welcome. I did look at the plate as I looked it over and the number was different, but forgot to note it! It was A BR Internals number I do remember that.

 

Not sure if anyone has been on this web site lately regarding the Bridge update at Alton.


https://www.buttsbridgeroadworks.co.uk/single-post/2019/10/30/Butts-Bridge-Update-Autumn-2019


The photo shows track has been laid over Butts bridge.

 

See post 1658.

 

I have just seen a report, that A30 year old man had died after falling off a bridge on the Alton Section , obviously everyone's wishes must go to the family of this young man, the media report said it was near Alresford, but when reading the actual piece it was one of the bridges on the Alton Section, that currently is not in use.

 

Boynswood bridge, Four Marks
https://www.altonherald.com/article...ng from bridge&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2019

 

More local comment about Butts Bridge:
http://www.altonherald.com/article....end this year?&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2019
It only needs Brian Rix to drop his trousers and we would have a proper farce (giving my age away, there!).
Pat

 

They state it will be completed by Christmas.
Didn't say which Christmas though.

 

A few photos taken from today. I can’t see it taking much long until it’s finished.

 

It would appear that 50 027 moves ever closer to returning to traffic.....

Yesterday they found a little niggle that had been vexing them for some time, which as I understand it has now been fixed - the team working on her were a happy bunch when I saw them at the end of the day!

Also 506 was out to play yesterday, making her debut on a photo charter along with the BY van C 563 - the BY isn't completely finished yet, but was deemed fit enough to run!

A few pics......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49080720026/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49080916072/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49080180128/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49080185403/in/dateposted-public/

 

Some more from the Photocharter with 506 : -

506 on the Alps by Paul Simpson, on Flickr







506 Leaving Ropley 2 by Paul Simpson, on Flickr

506 leaving Ropley by Paul Simpson, on Flickr


Thanks to Dave, Steve , the crews and the Urie Group.

 

Some shots from the Morning (passenger consist) section of the Mad Hants Charter, featuring Urie S16 Class 4-6-0 No. 506, on 16th November 2019

 

… and some shots from the Afternoon (Engineering Train ) section of the Mad Hants Charter, featuring Urie S16 Class 4-6-0 No. 506, on 16th November 2019

​

 

It were a dank day atop the hill yesterday, but a good one.

Trains were still running in the form of the Wickham trolley trundling up & down as the Pway went about their business under possession!

In the yard it was a day of plenty of banter whilst undertaking fiddly little jobs - the second longitudinal beam on the south side of the gunpowder van was removed (it mostly fell apart!) and the rivets blown out with the gas axe.

Parts of the body-side were then examined & marked out for replacement where the steel has perished - the roof can wait for a better day when the sun shines!

Also axlebox securing bolts on one of the vans that were proving difficult to free off were attended to & after a lot of brute force & swearing came free & were then cleaned up & refitted, much more easily, meaning pad exams & oiling will no longer be a challenge!

Below are a few more pics from last Saturdays charter.....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49106614607/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49106431116/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49105927323/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49105930353/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49106425751/in/photostream/

 

Dave,

Would you mind if I used a couple of your photos from the charter in the next Medstead & Four Marks station newsletter?

In fact, could I be really cheeky and ask for a few words about the charters, as they often heavily feature M4M - I'm sure the station staff would be interested to hear how they've been going...

Cheers,

Nick

 

Aerial video of Butts Bridge progress

 

Jaysus!

It were a c-c-c-COLD day atop the hill yesterday with a biting wind whipping through the yard, but yet again a (fool?)hardy bunch gathered to continue with the GPV, the inside of which proved very popular given the wind chill....

A new longitudinal beam was offered up on a trial fit, which proved a useful exercise as the beam will need some mods done to it to accommodate various lumps & bumps on the bodyside.

Also more rivets were blown out & bolts persuaded to come out with the gas axe, without setting fire to existing timbers..... and finally sections of the upper south side body were cut out in readiness for welding in new pieces.

In-between all this, 506 was doing the honours with the 1st Santa's of the season, all of which were full of happy smiling faces.

506 also took charge of the years final R.A.T. & whilst I was down at Ropley, it transpired that 50 027 has been out on a loaded test run hauling 47 579 as a dead load as well as insurance...... and as far as I know, all went well - though I'm sure there are a few niggles to sort out - so well done Lads, to a job well done & a day you thought you'd not see for a while yet!

A few pics from yesterday.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49153692077/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49152984863/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49152982238/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/49153490901/in/dateposted-public/