MHR Restorations and Overhauls

Oops , sorry my mistake

Chris:

 

We should set up a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Coaches. Who at Ropley has been harassing these poor items of rolling stock? Is it because two of them are from Sussex?

 

In Steam Railway there are pictures showing 925 which has arrived at Ropley and the smokebox faces towards Alresford so it seems like 850 will also be staying this way as well if the NRM want the 925 and 850 double header.

 

506 and 41312 face London, 31806 is supposed to be returned Country end first after visiting the SVR, earlier posters here have confirmed the direction of Cheltenham, apart from being better for the 850 pairing, this also means she is climbing Medstead bank smokebox first, which I suppose is better from for adhesion

 

Also in SRM, they mention a night-shoot on the Friday and Saturday night of the Autumn gala with the Maunsell locomotives lined up/in cameo roles. Personally, I think this is a great idea, and will bring in quite a bit of money for the overhaul of 35005 (my personal favourite MN).

Does anyone know whether 925 will be turned when she returns to the MHR after her visit to the GCR? I think it would be a shame if she wasn't, especially as there are very few locations north of Medstead where you can capture the sound of a engine working hard. I am only aware of 3 locations that I could film from safely, but at least 1 of those locations is overgrown and the engines are normally shutting off at that point. If the engine was facing Alton, there were many more I could choose from.
I am sure we will have plenty of time to see 925 face both Alton and Alresford anyway, and hope she has a successful running in period. Do we know when she will begin her running in? I read that she had a few minor niggles that have delayed her running in period, but was wondering when she would begin.

James at SVN

 

I understand that one of those niggles is a crack in the new rocking grate?.

Only a rumour you must understand, but can anyone confirm or deny?

Regards
Chris:

 

wernt some bits of the rocking grate borrowed off another engine? so its possible that has delayed her running in, if the railway are waiting for the new bits to be cast before beginning her testing ? some times information does get mixed up
If the appeal for funds to overhaul 35005 is sucessfull, will the work be done at Ropley or Eastleigh?

 

From what I remember of what way locos in steam face when I visited back in May it was 850 and 45379 facing Country end (Alresford) with 34007 and 31806 facing London (Alton). Not sure how it'll look at the Autumn Gala presumably 34007 and maybe 92212, 825 and 777 facing London (going by the previous visiting engines like 60163, 4464, 70000, 1744, 53 and 24 and 92212 was facing London before her loan to the Bluebell.) with 925, 850 and 31806 facing Country. Not sure about 45379 when she returns from the North Norfolk's Gala.

 

What ever the niggles, they've got less than seven weeks and counting to get her de - niggled and run in before the gala - or it could be a case of serious egg on face if she were to throw a wobbly then (fingers crossed I sincerely hope not) BUT I have every faith in the guys who took her apart and put her back together again!

re Can Pac, Martin, - as she's at Eastleigh it stands to reason that she will be overhauled there, otherwise why go to the time and effort & expense to get her there in the first place just to reverse the process at a later date?.......................

 

When she originally went there, some time before the appeal was launched, the reason given for her going was so she wasn't outside in the elements getting into a worse state.

 

True, but like I said, it just makes sense to overhaul her where she is than go to all that time, effort and expense AGAIN when they can do a 'speedy' turn around on site with out having to join the merry go round at Ropley.........................

To me it just makes sense, but then I'm not the one in charge of overhauls/schedules/queues etc never mind the purse strings!

 

A third party is obviously involved in any decisions re Eastleigh Loco Works, ie the site owner. There's a big difference between storage space and restoration space.

 

And after reading a recent article about Eastleigh works, it would appear that space is becoming very hard to get , even if Bruce Knight was in favour of restoring Can Pac at Eastliegh , it can't happen if he doesnt have the space to put it in In some ways its a good position to be in if eastleigh is full, it means peoples jobs are a bit safer

 

Slight change of topic - the MHR loco roster says that the mid-week services this week will be in the hands of either 34007 or 850. PLease can someone advise me which engine it is actually likely to be on Thursday (26th)?

Thanks

 

Both - the roster I have up is 34007 AND 850...

James at SVN

 

Thanks james. it must have been updated since I last looked (or else I misread). I presume this means 850 on the 11AM ex-Alreasford? That was the rostering last time I saw this combination in action.

 

No problem, glad to help If you do visit the MHR on Thursday, would you mind noting on here which engine does which diagram. I will be visiting on Friday (weather permitting).

James at SVN

 

I was TTI on Sunday and 34007 failed mid-afternoon with a suspected big end bearing. Not confident that really was the cause - more later on this.

850 had its brick arch partially replaced last Wednesday so should be OK for duty now.

Will know more tomorrow. If I get a moment will post an update tomorrow evening.

 

Thanks for the update Colin, a real shame 34007 failed.

I have been really impressed with 850 recently - she is not my favourite on the line, but she has been given a good run of late. I saw on the roster that 850 is due to run every day until the middle of August, I hope she gets a good run. Can't wait for the 850/925 double header!

James at SVN

 

Looking on the MHR web site today. I see the Freight train is out this Coming Sunday.

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