Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Didn’t take a long look at it whilst at the Greatest Gathering, but there’s a lovely hole in the bodywork at one cab end at the very least - see top right.

 

I hope Porterbook will sort that out. I'd be disappointed if the Watercress immediately had a repair job on their hands whole Porterbrook basks in all the positive PR...

 

Wonderful news and a great photo.

Many thanks,

Bryan

 

I say old chap, that's a bit unfair. I'm still able to get down there under my own steam.

 

Dave has gone on hire to the Epping Ongar Railway

 

In case anyone who reads the Steam Beano has fallen into the trap of believing everything it prints:
The item in The Roster headed '499' implies that 499 has had its boiler fitted. Yes, the frames are now resting on its bogie and a trolley; No, its boiler has not been refitted (it is still in bits in the boiler shop) but 30506 did have its boiler replaced. Beyond me how they could make a hogsnorton of something so simple.
Pat

 

Looks like damage en-route to the great gathering, but as it's already been gifted, I would imagine the carriage shop will have to effect an repair once it arrives, is that bit GRP? in which case, it shouldn't be that hard to patch

 

I know it's not like receiving an Amazon package, but if my delivery was damaged enroute, I wouldn't be paying for it.

I'd expect the unit to be delivered in the state it was when the donation was agreed to.

Do we know what the rough timeline do it being used on passenger services is? While I never travelled on that many, it's the closest I'm ever likely to travel on a 455 in preservation (the train of my childhood).

 

Really? looks a bit rough around the edges to me… my relatively untrained eye spies a load of filler in that top right corner, before any impact damage…

Simon

 

There's some discussion on the Southern Electric Traction Group Facebook group mentioning 455868 (the blue/grey one) has a new owner.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CJbRbw6uB/

As this suggests it's not going for scrap, never say never!

 

It's a private group and I'm not on Facebook anyway.

Who might the new owner be and would it be the whole unit or just one vehicle?

 

As much to the point, and aside from it's late life paint job, what is special about that particular unit?

 

Many (most?) TFW 150s have that corner taped up - see for example https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ffynnon_Taf_-_TfW_150253_trên_i_Caerdydd_Canolog.JPG - and if you look at the picture here - https://watercressline.co.uk/heritage-train-first-for-the-watercress-line/ - you can see such tape on this unit. Given how much the paint wore away from contact with lineside vegetation around the front of these units, particularly during the time when Arriva had the franchise I would expect that few if any of them have a totally undamaged/unrepaired front.

Steve B

 

I suspect that individual unit isn't particularly special but I suspect it will be the only survivor of the class.

 

I feel like a once over with a magnet and a hammer might be advisable before taking ownership to see what horrors lie beneath the vinyl…

Simon

 

Selected I believe as it has had recent corrosion repairs and big exam so is in good overall condition.

 

As I understand it, the TFW 150s are being withdrawn and going for scrap as they become due for their C exams (which is date, not mileage/condition related). I think 150231 is no exception to this, but I agree with you about the good overall condition - probably one of the better ones available at the time. I suspect that the application of the new livery (?paint or vinyl?) is probably the extent of any refurbishment given the time scale (it was in service with TFW on 9th July).

Steve B

 

The corrosion work was a year or two back, but still more recent than most.it still has time left before the next exam, which was another reason for selector, as it could move around the network under its own power.

 

Thank you, I stand corrected - and now you mention it, I think I had read about it still having time before the exam.

 

Is it going to be delivered by rail, under its own power, or towed ? or have arrangements been made to put it on road transport?