34058 - Mid Hants Bound

Not being alarmist, just pragmatic - I'm one of the MHR 'people', and have been for 20+ years. I'm just pointing out that we have plenty on, with corresponding need for space and labour, for a long time to come.

 

I worked on SFP and 4123 with mike and the gang for over 10 years at Bitton. I can only endorse several comments made on the standard and sheer quality of the work done so far. SFP has a huge store of platework and parts. Here are a few examples. When the new running plates were all made and fitted, all the aws and electric light conduit (in imperial of course!!!) was made and installed at the same time so that the fixing clamps could be welded in place on the running plates. Secondly How many people know that the BB gunmetal plaque carrying the crest had a curve set into it to allow it to sit flat against the air smoothed casing? When Mike had new replica name plates and crests made this curve was included. The new backing plate for sitting on the running plate was then bent to match the curve in the plaque! I have some pictures somewhere, we fitted it all for the 50th anniversary of the BoB in 1990.
SFP already boasts a set of SR headcode discs which were cold pressed from 1/8th" steel plate at about 85 tons pressure - I ask anyone to try and work out how the stainless steel handles were made and fitted! I'm really pleased that the engine is going to the MHR as I feel this is the best place it could go. As long as the future work continues to a similar standard I see no reason to doubt that 34058 will be one of the best finished locos anywhere..

 

It's looking like a great Bulleid line-up at the MHR with 3 West Countries (34007, 34105 and 34016), a Merchant Navy (35005) and now a Battle of Britain class (34058)! :clap2:

Without wanting to sacrifice quality, I hope it's not too long before SFP is running again. It's only a shame that the 34058 website is being closed down as I see no problem with running an engine-specific website in addition to a preserved railway (MHR) website if the engine is privately owned. :confused1:

 

What's the expected work to be done on the boiler? Is it in relatively good condition or is it facing a lot of work?

 

The boiler is to the best of my knowledge in fair condition, it was part of the assesment criteria, when the engine was selected at Barry. It is as we all know a very expensive item to replace or substantially repair some of those left at Barry after SFP left were much worse for wear and the weather.

The boiler needs some work, barrel is OK tube plates are maybe OK front one has corrosion from ash on the outside in the lower area, my view on that would be at this age replace it but it might repair. Its an early boiler I believe from James that its numberr is 1266 the first Eastleigh boiler someone may correct me.

It has been out in the open 40+ years, but its all salvageable to run again, foundation ring area and back lower corners need some attention, there are doubtless a few other patches that need some work but its not shot I would say its pretty good as they go.

It has a new smoke box barrel, that was badly corroded and hacked about, the rivets are all ( carfully) removed on the old one ready for it to come apart. The new one was rolled in the dry dock here in bristol about 5 years ago, that is already at MHR.

Hope that helps.

As for a web site I don't do that much on computers to continue it not sure who was doing it , I would much rather use this thread to update people, and try and answer any questions people have.If that's OK.

Regards To All

 

the website wasn't being run. hadn't been updated for years!

 

Andy B - I've got the photos... you look so young! PM me with your email and I'll send 'em over... And I share your thoughts on the quality and extent of work... There's loads of brand new parts just waiting to be bolted on...

The Engineer - All you say about the boiler is correct AFAIK.

Richard66 - As the webmaster of the 34058 website I took the decision to eventually close it down (once the loco has moved) for the following reasons:

i) I think it would be better under the purview of the MHR's excellent web pages - they will be in a position to update it once work gets going on the loco at Ropley (The MHR webmaster has all the background material from www.34058.co.uk which will appear in due course I am sure). Once the loco leaves the AVR I will unfortunately spend less time on it and may therefore get out of date with the latest situation with it.

ii) I have very little time to spend on updating the site - as you may be able to tell from the infrequent updates on the site. (I'd rather spend my time working on the loco (and mostly on 4123 tbh) and doing more useful things with the computer, e.g. drawing out the tender frames in CAD ready for CNC profile cutting which by the way is imminent).

iii) As 'The Engineer' pointed out, there are better ways to update people these days, e.g. blogs and forums like this.

iv) I really have very little idea of what I am doing on webpage authoring (all self 'taught'), and the site is getting on for ten years old basically in the same format and it's simply not easy to update as, unlike the work carried out on the loco, it's basically a botch. It is due a major re-design, and I simply don't have the time or inclanation to do that. The guys behind the MHR site are obviously much more proficient and better at this kind of thing...

iv) the site attracts an annual fee for hosting, which although small, represents a diversion of my finances that I would rather see spent on other things, e.g. 4123. Every little helps so they say....

Ok?

Thanks
James

 

Thanks James, having run several websites myself, I can understand the amount of time you need to keep one up-to-date.

Regards
Richard

 

The 4 wheeled (XP?) stores van for 34058 was loaded onto an articulated lorry at Bitton, Avon Valley Railway,
yesterday evening ready for the journey to the Mid-Hants Rly. No word on the movement of 34058 itself. <BJ>

 

Thanks for the update.

I was starting to wonder what was happening, re: the move.

Its obviously going to take some time, because i suspect there is some checking to do to make sure all parts ect, are gathered up and ticked off the inventory list.

Its bad enough moving house, let alone a steam locomotive in a myriad of bits!

It will be interesting to see if 34058 goes straight to Ropley on arrival at the MHR, or whether it will occupy some space at Alresford.

 

I think it will be await and see situation. Maybe a space will become vacant at Ropley soon?

 

I think it is in the head shunt at Alresford at the moment.

Someone better qualified than myself will I hope prove me wrong.

Regards
Chris

 

No Chris that’s correct she is in the middle road at Alesford. But even better news 30499 has now moved to Ropley. This now brings 30499 and 30506 together again after a long period apart. Can't wait to see both locos running together one day. But that’s along way in the future.

 

Can't remember where I heard it or from whom but a date of 2018 was mentioned.

 

I understand that there is considerable will to see this loco restored sooner rather than later.

There is also a rumour that Ivatt 41312 could be restored after "Cheltenham" is complete at Eastleigh though please understand this is only a rumour.

Regards
Chris:

 

Where would the railway (whether it be the big railway or heritage) be without rumour?

If that were the case about 41312 though, then excellent news. A super loco, much missed.

 

Aha well, if I have been told that 41312 would quite happily go back into service with VERY little to no work required on it!!!

 

I hope so 41312 is a great little engine. Isn't it one of the Bunch locos though so it wouldn't be around long before it moves depending on how long the overhaul takes?