Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

I don't recall seeing any announcements, and there's only various generic comments and statements about it returning to service after overhaul but nothing that actually means anything. The only date I can find is on 850's record on preserved British steam locomotives.com which states return to traffic in 2020!

Could you be confusing it with 777 Sir Lamiel which started overhaul in 2020? That's apparently targeted for return to traffic in 2025.

 

I'm certain I have seen or heard something 'fairly recently' about Nelson - may have been on a tour of Ropley - but I believe it is due to remain at the MHR and is/was in the line for overhaul when funding was available.

 

I would imagine any overhaul would depend on what the boiler is like, It did have a lot of plate work renewed at its last overhaul, but was never quite right, the team at Ropley did sort it out, but if there is another engine, in better condition, that needs less work, it might drop down the queue,
73096 should be quite good order, certainly its's last boiler overhaul was a major overhaul, but should need less work this time, but it did spend a lot of time OOS, And because it has roller bearings on the engine, hopefully it should be straight forward,

 

Your forgetting the biggest draw of them all which is still waiting in the so called wings and it’s a Bulleid to boot 34058 Sir Frederick Pile.

 

Steam ban extended until at least Sunday 21st August. A token gesture of Kermit being in steam at Ropley.

Speaking of loco crisis, all this diesel running requires 2/3 serviceable diesels for 16 days straight!

 

That must be tight then they only have the 47 and the two 20s serviceable currently

 

Isn't there a serviceable Thumper too?

 

Good old 59 and 188 to the rescue yet again.
(I know I’m biased, but I do have a rather massive soft spot for both of them having been lucky enough to enjoy them over the years)

 

Not currently, needs some bodywork repairs.

Thinking about it I'm pretty sure 188 has been out solid since Saturday 30th July

 

Not surprised regarding 188, it’s not a bad old piece of kit.

 

That will be nice to see out and about.
Won't have to keep wishing for 75069 to pay them a visit then.
Although I wouldn't mind a Dover theme for 30925's last gala.

 

How about an Schools gala, get in Repton from NYMR, Stowe from the Bluebell, Dressing up as school boys, and school girls optional unless someone wants to remake The Great St Trinnians, Train Robbery, based on the MHR,

 

That sounds... FANTASTIC!!
Cheltenham, Repton, Stowe [on display] and 506, 41312 and 76017!!

 

I realise it's all fantasy in @martin1656 imagination, but Stowe is currently split between Liverpool (boiler); Quainton (frames) and Sheffield Park (tender) - so bringing it to Ropley just to put "on display" would seem very expensive; and if instead this gala happens in a couple of years when it is all reassembled, why not just have it in steam? Just saying' ...

Tom

 

There's already a Thumper on the line so why not bring back Errol Lonsdale while you're at it to make it an authentic St Trinnians event! WIBN

 

True, it would be so much easier.
On the other hand, it would be nice one of these times that we see all three preserved Schools together, even if one is display only.
A mini "Great Gathering" if you will.

 

Never been a huge fan of St Trinians.

 

if Cheltenham isnt going to be stripped for overhaul immediately, and when Stowe returns, it might still be possible to have all three together, even if 925 is only static.

 

Not sure if Repton would be hired again.
I remember that when it visited last time (2007) the subject of visiting loco's was brought up at the MHR AGM and it was revealed that it cost a small fortune to hire 30926 and transport it from the NYMR for very limited use on the MHR.

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

A Dover theme gala sounds like a good idea. How about 34070 Manston visiting for a Dover theme gala since it was based in the Kent area in BR days and it’s never been to the MHR before.