Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news/view/victorian-t9-locomotive-to-remain-at-the-swanage-railway
The NRM still own the T9, and the Swanage Railway will most probably raise funds for the refurbishment after 563 is completed in 2023. There could be some funds reserved when the loco was operational and earning revenue. So might be a while till the T9 is returned to operational use, but they mention a boiler lift to assess the work needed.
If the Mid Hants might be short of suitable locos in 2023 could they not rent one?.

 

Not sure that there are many for hire. It’s a diminishing pool in an increasing market.

 

Been in the shed a while now, the tender sticks out the back but is fully covered with heavy duty looking material.

 

I suspect it all depends on how the agreement is worded. Some will be worded that the railway can use the loco until it needs an overhaul, then it has a duty to overhaul it. In this version, the railway doesn't overhaul it first, so has no investment. (Think cart before the horse). If the last overhaul was clearing the previous period of use, and the owners have, in effect, removed the responsibility of the railway to overhaul it, then there is little the railway can do. An example of "run then repair" would seem to be 88 at the West Somerset (coincidentally now happily living in Hampshire!)

 

As always, the devil is in the detail and how watertight and enforceable the agreement is.

 

Another day kind of dawned atop the hill yesterday, though for once I wasn't there first thing, as I had the chance of a lie in, even though my body clock decided otherwise!

So the four hardy souls who did, after a brew, brekkie & a catch up set to trial fitting external planking and angle iron, so that floor timbers can be trial fitted to allow us to get the acrow props in place to support the roof so that we can attend to the longitudinal beams that need major surgery!!!

I joined the lads for a brew & a chat mid morning, having visited the bakers, who commented upon my arrival 'you're late!' to fetch my lunch, as myself & @Hampshire Unit were going to be out playing with some of the fruits of the wagon groups labours...... namely the mik tank, a Palvan & the Shoc van along with the Bullied open 3rd & brake, with 30925 at the head!

This was to be 30925's last day in traffic, and we had plans for a fitting send off (with the blessing of the Ops Manager ) To that e nd we spent the best part of herding the assembled gallery - though we both think herding cats would be easier!!

As we'd already done two days last year with Chellie in daylight & given this really was going to be her last steaming, we chose to do one of our (in)famous night time charters....... the weather sadly wasn't the same as last year & the wind & rain toyed with us all day and thankfully the wet stuff wasn't too heavy, otherwise the afternoon on the lineside would not have been fun! Thankfully the gallery were all in high spirits, with plenty of banter - none of it repeatable on here! and the weather was but a mere irritant.

Somehow we had two crews for the charter - it turned out that the early turn driver was retiring from the footplate after his turn, so it was quite apt that he was on a loco going out of ticket!

After crew change, it was mentioned that our new driver wanted to take 30925 for a blast up Medstead bank for old times sake - who were we to say no?.... especially as we both were on the footplate for it!!! After our comfort break at Alresford, that is.

Back at Ropley, we kept the gallery entertained with our usual mix of static shots & run pasts, and then it was time for the main event of the evening...... the loco was stopped in the platform & the "Farewell to the Schools headboard" * placed on the top lamp iron and the loco set back out of the station to allow dets to be placed on the railhead - one for each year of its ticket - most of the gallery had never seen or heard a det go off before, let alone 10! And so, 30925 came into the station at walking pace and the dets went off one by one and the loco finished it's run past, set back, came off the stock and ran onto the pit road for the final time.

It doesn't seem like 10 years have past since 30925 turned a wheel in anger for the first time in preservation, nor that its time is up as its in rude health - a testament to the team at Ropley, but rules are rules and 30925's time is up & who knowa when we'll see her turn a wheel again?....... so farewell 30925, hopefully we gave you a fitting send off!

So, a massive thanks, from ourselves and the gallery, to our crews and guard on the day, and those behind the scenes who made sure that yesterday's charter went ahead without a problem!

* Farewell to the Schools was a charter that never ran - BR scrapped the class in Dec '62 & couldn't revive one in time for the charter in Jan/Feb '63, as they were all past it!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52480754732/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52480752742/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52481798073/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52481524489/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52481799638/in/dateposted-public/

 

As @Duty Druid said we had a little fun yesterday....
A final shot
Putting Cheltenham to bed by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

So, with 925 now out of ticket, that just leaves 41312, 506, and 53808, not much cover should anything fail, if 76017 is to return, i would hope it's in time for the illimitations trains,

 

See post #4979. Apparently there is a visiting loco coming to help out the railway over Christmas. I wonder if it will be 45231 again?

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So lets look to the future in terms of what does the MHR have under overhaul and due to be running in the coming years - 35005, 34007, 499 & 75079?

No1/3781 - Under overhaul at Ropley
35005 - Under overhaul at Eastleigh & Ropley
34007 - Under overhaul at Ian Rileys
499 - Restoration at Ropley by Urie Loco Society
75079 - Restoration at Ropley by MHR

 

Yeah and not the fact it is in the same pedigree but No. 1/3781 at some point in 2023

 

I remember visiting and there was an appeal for funds for Canadian Pacific 35005, presume that it's overhal is near complete by now?.

 

Might 92212 make a reappearance next year?

 

You missed 828.

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I am not sure I have.... 828, 80150 34058 all appear to be under more of a long term overhaul/proactive maintenance regime?

 

Ok, missed that. No idea on the status now. But they had many parts stolen I think, setting them back a few years. Then covid.

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Don't forget there's also 20059/188 and 47579 (although admittedly not that great for STEAM illuminations apart from pushing the Ivatt round!)

 

Looking at the updates on the working parties on the ERPS Facebook page, I wouldn’t quite place 828 in the same category as 80150 and 34058.

 

Why do you say that.... there are multiple new parts being made/acquired for 80150 and 34058 - however are any of these going to steam in the next 5yrs would be highly unlikely?!

So unfortunately unless something changes with the way the ERPS progressing with the engine, I would say 828 is a similar case in point......

 

My impression was that more progress was being made on 828 than 34058 and 80150. It seems that’s not the case then.