MHR Restorations and Overhauls

(deleted). Of locos currently being restored, 41312 faces Alton as does 30506. Not sure which way "Swanage" points. 76017 is also pointing "country" I think. Please correct me if I am wrong! The extra work on the frames of 506 seems to mean it won't be finished for 18 months or so - so I'm not sure what is next out of the works , maybe some of the Ropley chaps can comment.

In the meantime, here is a shot from a charter last year with 31806 at M4M with a rather lovely freight rake.


All sizes | Hauling Freight | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Actually, it's the other way around. 31806 used to face London (up) until her recent visit to the SVR. Since she came back, she's facing Winchester (down). I don't know whether that invalidates your expectation of using the Medstead-Ropley section for Matt's charter or not, but I'd have thought the Alton-Medstead section was more likely, so that she's working against the gradient. The Black 5 is now facing up and Cheltenham is still facing down, same as Nellie.

 

Doh! Serves me right for posting when i'm tired! I was thinking only today that of current locos on the Mid Hants, 92212, 34007 45396 and 31806 have all faced both ways at various times, the latter two having only recently been turned, whilst 92212 had a long spell facing Winchester, then faced London, then for about 10 days faced the other way before being rather neatly turned on a low loader in Alresford car park to face London again.

 

34105 Swanage is facing smokebox out of Alton (Country).
30499 & 30828 are both smokebox out of Alton.

 

76017 points towards Alton

 

Of locos currently being restored what dierction does

75079, 34058, 80150, 30506 & 31625 and 31874

 

The ones i know are 75079 faces Alresford. 34058 faces Alton. 80150 faces Alton. 31874 faces Alresford. Not sure about 30506 and 31625 but think they face Alton.

 

A little bit more progress was made at the weekend with the release of Brakevan S56506 into traffic, that's assuming that the shunt took place today to release it into Bennetts siding.

So a big well done to all who have contributed in ways large or small to get it back into A1 nick :clap2:

 

It was Dave, also the 3 four-wheelers have also been moved too.

Thanks for posting.

Regards
Chris:

 

Latest issue of Heritage Railway (out on 22-11-12) mentions that 850 will be going into BR livery next year. I look forward to this if it is reliable info. in the mag.....................

 

That's a shame (if true). I just hope it doesn't happen until after 850 and 925 have been reunited with 777.

 

It would make a nice change if she is, but as Steamage say's After 777 has paid a visit and as 777 isn't yet listed as a visitor for the Spring Gala, that only leaves the Autumn gala - which means that she'd on in for winter maintenance and emerge in 2014 in BR livery!

So is it worth it - she can't have that much longer left on her ticket, or has she? (I can't remember!)

 

Does it...?

Couldn't she visit during a weekend where all 3 locomotives are running (maybe even with 31806 to allow double headers with the matching locomotives) with an ammended timetable? After all, Calbourne didn't visit during a gala.

 

True, BUT Calbourne was on her way home to the IOW, and she only did Alresford - Ropley shuttles, I doubt very much whether the same thing will happen with 777, but then again never say never! - though I see 777 more of a draw for a gala where there would be more opportunity to see/ride behind her, PLUS you have to factor in the hire -in fees etc...... so a gala makes it more viable and more likely.

 

I'm sure the photographers would like to see her to be in BR green. I would think Matt Allen would run a few photo charters which would help to pay for the repaint. So it could be a win win situation for the MHR. We get a revamped loco and Matt Allen and his fellow photographers get another photo charter out of it.

Gets my vote.

 

Funnily enough, this was a hot topic amongst us during Matt's Cheltenham charter last week!
Now if only Cheltenham could be painted BR black......

 

Forgot to add to my other post. There was talk that 925 could also go in to BR green. So why not repaint both locos?

 

And if you did get both 30925 and 30850 running, you could then run something that I've never seen in preservation - a Schools with an LN tender, as happened with 30912 "Downside" and 30921 "Shrewsbury" in 1962 IIRC. Different, and actually really looked quite good.

 

Is a potential repaint classed as major progress?

 

IF it happens then yes ! Neither loco fits in with the railways overall Southern Region authenticity in Southern livery what ever guise they are in. However the paintwork on Nelson is in excellent condition so logically there is no need to repaint it.

Catch 22 as its only photographers who would benefit from such a repaint and enthusiasts who also make up a small part of the railways overall income. The railway wont just spend money on a repaint for the sake of it.

So on an economic scale is it time for photographers to put their hands in their pockets and contribute towards the repaint?? .The has been a lot of negative press recently about "freeloading photographers" at an event at Froxfield. But there again there have been loco repaints paid for by photographers.

I for one would be more than willing to contribute towards it. 30850 with big Lion and Wheel and 30925 in yes lined Black..

As an aside in years to come we have LSWR S15 499 in full lined LWSR livery complete with stovepipe chimney to come ..... work out how that fits in lol !