MHR Restorations and Overhauls

Having chatted to a fireperson who fires at the Spar, that what ive heard too, but the polish usa might be wider across the loading gauge than the yugo version which 30075 and 30076 are , and i believe that 30075 was reassembled with the tanks closer to the boiler to fit into our loading gauge when it was restored at Swanage , but its still a close fit whilst the former eastern bloc coppies of the USA might be based on an engine that would have fitted english loading gauge, the home built copies were taller and wider and all would need work to fit our restricted preserved railways

 

The Polish Tkh was only based on the USA S100 design, whilst the Yugo 62 is basically a copy with plate rather than bar frames, hence the boiler is mounted higher. I think its the width of the cylinders thats the problem with the Tkh, the 62 should fit but maybe some carefull measurement required.

 

Every time I need to walk up Ropley head shunt they are a complete nightmare to walk between the loco and the bank. Compared to British locos they must be about a foot wider?

 

Funny then that the Southern ones made it round a fair bit of the network :smile: 30064 even worked through Christs Hospital well renowned for its tight platforms. Have a look at this vid to see how wide a Tkh is! Polish TKH 4015 arrives at Bitton. - YouTube

 

I was under the impression the YUSA tanks are wider than the Southern/USA tanks. The side running plate sticks out a lot more.

Ps I see 30850 has one returned from her holiday and is still facing smoke box out of Alton. I also see she is working on play and pay duties this coming week.

 

The Polish TkH's only bear a passing resemblance to a S100, while as Avonside1972 says the Yugo 62's are to all intents and purposes a copy of the S100; the basic dimensions of a 62 are pretty damn similar to a Southern USA tank. There are detail differences (as there were with the British-based versions), but 30075 should go where an ex-Southern USA will go.

 

The information I was after seems to have been removed from the web but from looking at photos it does indeed appear that the 62's tanks and cab are wider. Other vital dimensions are exactly the same except overall length is 3" more on the 62.

 

I have a vague memory that 30075 clouted the walkway on the bridge at Alton - I can only guess it must have been double-heading during a gala.

I see Nelson is back and on the pit at Ropley.

 

See:-

Project 62 - Technical Information

and

SR USA class - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

30075 seems to have had a succcessful spell on the East Somerset, I wonder why they haven't gone back there - it isn't a line that is flush with engines and I'd have thought it would be ideal for their services.

 

Thanks Nick, but if you look at the Wiki page, the source for the information is from Project 62 and that page has now been deleted. I thought there was also a line drawing of a 62 to give a comparison. From looking in the KRB book on the Yankee Tanks, the pic of 30075, compared with a genuine Southern USA, shows the difference in boiler height but also the tanks appear to be wider on '75. Maybe just an optical illusion. I would still think it will fit Eridge, after all they had a Small Prairie there and GWR engines are not exactly the slimmest. As Project 62 are offering '75 for hire once repaired, perhaps some kind person may like to prove us right/wrong and sponsor '75 for the Spa's Gala? Anyway I think we have gatecrashed this thread enough. Back to the Mid Hants!

Mark

 

I believe there may have been disagreement between the two parties; don't know the details and I won't speculate either but these things happen.

 

IIRC 30075 moved to the ESR on a restore and run for 5 years agreement, having sat, out of use at Swanage. During that time 62-521 arrived on the scene and went straight to MHR so when '75's agreement expired, it seems natural that it would link up with Project 62's other loco. A shame they have left, as although not 100% authentic, did provide a small Southern outline engine that has a healthy 'bark' to it! Perhaps MHR should approach KWVR about the genuine item?

 

Surely a bit on the small size for the MHR.

 

USA Tanks don't seem to have favour on railways at the moment as only one I think is in traffic which is 30065 at the KESR. 30064 is out of service at the Bluebell, 30072 is out of service at KWVR and 30070 is dismantled at the KESR.

Not sure really who'd find a good use for 30075 and 30076.

 

What about Douglas/Black Motor then? A USA might not exactly be an everyday engine but a bit of variety. Who would have thought that the humble P Class would be such a success, at the moment they are front line locos on the BR. For Off Peak services in these difficult times a USA with 2 Coaches between Alresford-Ropley or Alton-Medstead? might attact punters that would otherwise scoff at the price of a full round trip. 30072 was also the long time resident at Guildford, but hey-ho it was only a suggestion hwell:

 

Speaking about Douglas when moving from my old house I came a cross a Steam Railway from a few years ago which suggested that Douglas would become a Black Motor. Is this a future plan or was it another fake story by SR.

 

The advantage of using Douglas/Black motor over a USA tank is the water and coal capacity. I wonder if a USA tank could work around Robin trip without needing to refill the coal bunker?