Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

I believe they are integral to the frame - there's a photo of the underside of the Harman's Cross one here: https://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org...telegraph-servicing-harmans-cross-lever-frame

 

Good news from the Mid-Hants Railway:

''We are delighted to announce the safe arrival of Merchant Navy Class No.35005 Canadian Pacific chassis to The Watercress Line, with huge thanks to Network Rail, Arlington Fleet Services and Allely’s specialist haulage for making this possible. This marks the start of the completion of this magnificent restoration project which has been more than a decade in the making.
For more information about this important locomotive:'' https://buff.ly/49W3WJc



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The locking tray is separate but attached to the frame structure , roughly parallel to the tread plates. Once again not suitable for off the shelf components, everything needs individual fitting.

Cheeers, Neil

 

I was hoping that page might have an update on a potential return to steam ... and it says "The mechanical work is almost finished. We hope to see the loco in steam again and hauling trains on the Watercress Line in the latter part of 2023."
proving that predictions are difficult, and as ever it's safer to say "it'll be finished when it's finished!"

 

The problems with the frame at M4M were considerable. I think the frame was unsympathetically modified for the M4M installation. I think there was also an aborted attempt to add a king lever type function to allow it to be locked out …. All
Many years ago. In addition the frame was installed upon the same wooden foundations as the original. Those had been buried in earth for 20years prior to the reinstatement.
The conclusion I believe was that the frame needed to be removed entirely, possibly replaced by a different frame, but in any case rebuilt literally from the ground up. This as might be imagined is more than a single winters job. Hence a temporary scheme to replace. When that was thought about a further issue was desirable to address. The points at the country end are in the 1:60, but the signal box is at the other end of the 1:350 that is the platform roads. As a result the rodding has to “bend” in the vertical plane. This has long made operation of the points awkward and adjustment constant. The obvious solution being to motor work them. Signals had to go motor worked because the only logical answer to signal and point control in a temporary location was a panel. So it became a bigger project than first inspection would suggest.

 

Sorry if this has already been mentioned but I hear 34072 will be paying a visit. Arriving late July and staying for the rest of the year.

Andrew

 

That's good news - Bulleids always welcome! It sounds like the railway is going to have to be survive with just 41312 and 506 for a while though as I understand that 34070 is leaving at the end of May (presumably as it needs to be back at Swanage in time for the Bulleid gala). Both seemed to be in fine form at the gala - let's hope it stays that way.

 

For once, there was no working party atop the hill yesterday as me Oppo was desperate to get the Lambton Tank for haulage, which he just about managed, as it was fixed in time to haul a return working form Alresford to Alton, & only after I'd called him to tell him to get his backside on to the platform at Medstead, as it had just belted past me at Rook wood!!

Muggin's 'ere spent the day ballast yomping with @Hampshire Unit here, there and everywhere, and that was on top of playing with the Black 5 GTI all day on Monday on a photo charter!

Was good to see the trains well loaded, and the Brake van rides on the QMB proving to be popular - was also good to catch up with @Stinch !

Some pics from both days.........

Gala....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53684255326/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53684626684/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53683388137/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53684626264/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53684627204/in/dateposted-public/

Charter.......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53674442874/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53674543480/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53674443424/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53674442774/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53674544540/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53680658151/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53680884818/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53679798722/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53680658496/in/dateposted-public/

 

My engine yesterday . A really brilliant day despite the weather early on. Thanks to the visitors and all my fellow volunteers, the people behind the scenes

 

Canadian Pacific was moved up to Ropley last night, ready to go into the works - there's a few photos on Facebook.

 

Does anyone know which steam loco(s) are rostered to run on the Mid-Hants over the coming bank holiday weekend please?

Bryan B

 

Service 1 plus shuttle with 34070 "Manston" and one of the diesel shunters on the Alresford-Ropley shunter

 

Many thanks for that, very helpful.

 

The Peckett is doing the shuttle tomorrow and Monday.

 

34070 failed on shed this morning. 41312 picked up the service in the a/noon. Guess that's tomorrow's loco.
Pat

 

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for the update.

Bryan

 

Yesterday atop the hill was one of frustratingly slow progress.........

With just three like minded nutters in attendance, on the to-do list was to remove two bolts from the south side external longitudinal........ a task very simple on paper, but an absolute ballache in practice!

The fact that it took the three of us most of the day to get them out says it all, as they were difficult to get at, and flatly refused to budge! A gas axe would've done the job in quick time, but wasn't an option, as we'd most likely have set fire to the van......... so brute force with ignorance, blood, sweat & swearing in spades was the order of the day....... by late afternoon both offending bolts had been removed, and new ones fitted along with collars.

Next up was to ream bolt holes on the south side country end door reveal.......... it was found that even though new holes to secure the external cladding planks had been drilled with the cladding planks bolted in situ a few weeks ago, the holes no longer matched up......... still, it was easier to sort them out than ot was to remove two life expired bolts!!!

Here's hoping that next weeks jobs will be easier..........

Some pic's of yesterday's goings on........

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53699159667/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53699158822/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53700267268/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53699160047/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53700392719/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53699160872/in/dateposted-public/

 

Does anyone know what is rostered for duty this weekend? The Watercress Line website roster hasn't been updated yet. Was thinking of visiting on Sunday for the two train service and vintage bus rides. Thanks in advance.

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On Sunday S15 and Ivatt (Alton loco)

 

Thank you

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