MHR Restorations and Overhauls

Well said Andrew. :clap2:

 

Andrew

thanks for putting this up about 34007 and more importantly about the guys who restored the locomotive in the first place.

She is now a fair way into her service so things are going to wear and tear just like 34105 Swanage did when she was in service.

Ropley have a rolling maintenance program in place on all their engines and those that have been restored over the last 10 years certainly have far greater reliability than the early locos simply as more is done and facilities are far better now indeed they cant be improved much more once the new wing is in use.

34007 when in fine form chatters up the banks well and indeed if she is turned to face out of Alresford it may be of help to the loco working forward hard for longer periods.

Time will tell .

David

 

Whenever I had the fortune to be rostered out on 34007 she was a typical Bulleid, sometimes indifferent by more often than not steamed like a witch and well capable of romping up the bank from Alton to M4M. It will be nice to have both 34007 and 34105 running!

 

Thanks for the comments David, you got me thinking.

When 34105 Swanage was last in traffic, most of the time she was facing towards Alton, hence working 6 miles up to M&FM the right way from Alresford

If my memory serves me correct she was only turned to face Alresford towards the end of her ticket, perhaps after her visit to the WSR for their S&D gala.

I agree that if 34007 is turned the same way towards Alton, hopefully on return from the GCR, it might be better for the loco.

 

Regarding the website and loco roster. This is updated frequently but is subject to change without prior notice being given. There is a clear disclaimer on the site to that end. It is physically not possible given the resource available to update the website 24/7. The loco roster is issued by the Loco Department as a statement of intent. Steam engines, being what they are, mean this is always likely to change, although it isn't often it changes that much from what is posted and advised each week.

It seems unfortunate, in this instance, that the timing of the visit of the poster coincided with some changes when the webteam were not aware or able to update the site. Please note that the loco roster is issued during working hours Monday-Friday. Any changes at the weekends, if unplanned, are not guaranteed to be updated. I'd be very surprised if any other heritage railway would be able to offer such a service without unreasonable effort on the part of volunteers or having to pay for staffing which we are not in a position to do.

Please also consider that it is not the Loco Dept who update the website but the likes of myself who also find themselves off site for periods (i.e Dorset Steam Fair) and unable until evenings to catch up with office work.

I'm sorry the individual concerned didn't have an enjoyable visit to the MHR, but I trust this atleast helps set the scene as to how loco rostering and the publication thereof can change and why we have a disclaimer accordingly.

Regards

Tim Beere
Marketing Manager
The Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'

 

Alot of things moving around at the moment, Is 34007 going to the GCR? I know 45379 is off to the AVR for a hoilday in October, also the 9Fs return from its summer break :biggrin1: but if anywone knows if 34007 is off to the GCR?

Black545379.

 

I think she is but for the GCR Gala from the 6th-9th October.

 

Should be interesting, Last weeks of 73096

 

I paid a visit to the line yesterday and had a thoroughly enjoyable day out - I even managed to persuade the wife to come a long, and even she really enjoyed herself!!!!!!, so the railway MUST be doing something right!.

The only things that 'marred' the day, were the reported cable theft by the copper fairies (I hope they catch the lowlifes), and a very 'annoying' kid hanging half way out of the carriage window with arm out at full stretch (see below) - dangerous is what I'd call it, it wouldn't take much and he'd be out of the window - yes I know kids are the future, and it's good to see them enjoying steam, but is there anything the Railway can do to 'calm' this behaviour down before the unthinkable happens?

Whilst down at Alresford I noticed that progress with the base for the water column seems to be 'painfully' slow - are the encountering problems, if so when is it hoped that the column will be commissioned?

View attachment 3489

 

He's only doing what you appear to be doing - taking a photograph from the train. I bet there was a notice at the window you were at saying 'do not lean out of the window'. I also bet there's not a person on here who obeys that sort of notice and doesn't lean out from time to time. I certainly admit to doing so. As to how far to lean out safely, that is very subjective. He's not leaning that far and his arm is outstretched with camera in hand to enable him to get the best shot. (At least, he's not 'flailing'!) He is facing the way he's going so unlikely to hit any structure. I'd not call it particularly dangerous in the circumstances. That is, unless the door lock came open and then, how far your leaning is going to be irrelevant.

I suspect the real grumble is that he's spoilt the master shot you wanted to take.

 

Not at all.

Master shots come from the lineside - not window hanging.

And that example is only an idea of his behaviour!!!!!!!!!

 

"Annoying" = "he got the window I wanted" :bump2:

 

Nope!!!!!! :tongue1:

 

The first Carriage (BSK 35329) Has been rolled out of the new carriage shop at Ropley, good progress this seems, should see some more coaching stock around soon?

Black 5 45379

 

Does anyone know how Douglas is getting on?

Seems to be a very long time since an update was made.

 

There was talk about putting the newly overhauled boiler back on to Thomas again.

 

It is not just talk Lee, it is going to happen.

Regards
Chris:

 

So any estimate on when this locomotive will steam again or is it just going to keep giving its boiler to that blue engine?

I know Thomas is a popular event and you need the bright blue engine, but i'd much rather see Douglas running again rather than continually giving up its boiler.

 

Better get your wallet out then Kieran

Seriously though I understand that there is not too much wrong with Thomas,s boiler so here is hoping?

Regards
Chris

 

I suspect time to repair was the deciding factor.

The Douglas boiler is more or less ready to steam after being completed at Crewe recently, where as the boiler carried by Thomas needs an overhaul that even if it is in good condition will take several months at least.

With all the other work (Cheltenham boiler and 76017`s) in the boilershop at Ropley it just could not be tackled quickly enough to allow Thomas to return to traffic for the Spring event.