Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

I can’t think what that move would be for if not 76017? Not looking good for a return to the MHR then.

 

9fs are unusual as they run against the norm, they are large engines and powerful, yet they are very efficient, due to a combination of a thin grate (due to it clearing the rear axle the grate is high and the locos will steam on a thin fire) and the fact they where designed to run at 25 or 45 mph so there comftable unlike a large engine where you have to fire it for 50 and hold it back. So they are happy with 4, 5, 6 and more and are relatively efficient as when you put less load on them they are happy about it, unlike some engines that are un happy unless there's at least load 5 on the drawbar

A lot of the large engines use more coal as it requires a lot more coal to cover the grate to begin with and maintain it, I remember a fireman suggesting a light would use a ton more coal than a Nelson/U/Black 5 and then a merchant would use a ton more than a light, per day. as approximation

 

Would a non-certified loco be pathed for 60mph on the mainline?

 

If i am honest, that would indicate if what i heard is right, that its very doubtful that 76017 will be returning to the MHR,

 

Towed in light steam rather than under its own power, I assume. That’s how it arrived.

Tom

 

It was pathed for 60 on the run TO East Grinstead, its registered-on tops, i would not be surprised if she ends up being fitted with mainline equipment at Southall.

 

But surely it is certified, in that it has been examined and deemed fit to be hauled on Network Rail?

It’s just that an extra level of certification would be required to operate under it’s own power.

 

I think that there is a bit more than that involved. There is some very expensive and complicated electronics (TPWS, OTMR, GSMR) to be installed for starters before you can go solo. That doesn't happen overnight.

Peter

 

You’ve missed the point. All I’m saying is that some level of certification and checks are required for a loco to be able to be hauled over the mainline. So in that respect 76017 is certified to be hauled on the mainline.

Obviously there is a lot more required for a loco to be certified to run under its own power on the mainline.

 

Could she be heading to a new home at Carnforth and a future in Main Line operations? There is a move up North on the 21st November:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91228/2022-11-21/detailed

 

If its new owner is who we all think it is, that person is reported as having said that he would like a smaller engine than (say) a West Country pacific to take on tour around Heritage Railways. I'm not sure why he would want to fit all the main line gubbins for that, or if a class 4 2-6-0 could manage a worthwhile load to the required timings on the main line, and it would be an expensive way of finding out!

 

Is this the same person who was reported as agreeing the purchase of a class 4 loco a few years ago, before the owner changed their mind and decided not to part with it?

 

Sister loco 76079 has proved to be a good performer on the Main Line. 76084 has also ventured onto the ML.

 

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45596 is heading North on the 19th hauling The Christmas Cheshireman for RTC.

 

Time has moved on though. 76079 did most of its mainline work double-heading with a black 5, and 76084 did most of its runs on secondary routes. How much of those sorts of jobs are left?

 

Indeed. Look at how much mainline work 31806 attracts. One trip a year at most, and that is always with another loco helping out.

 

Mind you, in 2022 the hot, dry weather has ruled out the three advertised "Dorset Coast Expresses" running as advertised (and I think one was cancelled), not to mention that the Swanage Railway has had to rely on a mere three steam locos - 31806, 34028 and 34072 to operate its services. In such circumstances, making 31806 available to run on the big railway is hardly a going to be a priority.

With slightly less pressure on the motive power front at Swanage in 2023 and hopefully a less extreme summer, 31806 may well enjoy more main line use. It is already pencilled in for three DCEs.

 

Re 76017, One option might be next year's Jacobite runs, a class 4 would be an ideal loco, I'm not sure what kind of loadings a standard 4 could take over the S&C

 

Afternoon Jacobite is 6 coaches, and 76079 has worked a similar load in the past over the extension. Though it's usually other people's locos that work the Jacobite, not the TOC's. Why wear out your own locos when you can wear out somebody else's?