MHR Restorations and Overhauls

I "believe" the plan is for Swanage to enter traffic around the time Wadebridge comes out of traffic................................ though having nothing to do with Ropley (I'm with the wagon group - yes a n other Dave! ) we just supply the wagon's for (seemingly) Wadebridge to pull! Latest to join the fleet was the milk tank as "premiered" at the gala, and soon to star in a photo charter with the U Boat!

Just wait until the two Bullieds & the B Y Van C are in the mix along with the Ivatt2........................ photo charter anyone?.....

As for the rest of your post, I agree with the two of you - time to move on and (come September) let bygones be bygones..............................

 

So that from my reckoning takes 34105 to enter steam in 2016?... Well that is when 34007 should be out of traffic by? Also with the amount of work that has been done on 34007; does this mean that it should be a fairly quick overhaul if the Midhants do it? Which could mean 2 to Un-converted's in steam on the line in the next coming years??

 

Exactly this.
I've only been a volunteer for a few years and I have no interest in what has gone on in the past. What I DO know, is that the MHR is a great place to be, has an ideal mix of engines and has plans for the future that will keep it as one of the very best heritage railways. I'm proud to play a small part in that.

 

HaHa the railway is full of Daves... starting to think I need to change my name. Thanks for the info about Swanage I thought that was the case but havent seen or heard anything offical. Weridly I am actually drinking tea from a wagon group as I type this.

 

It would just re open old wounds, no best for all parties that it comes to a end, but with both parties agreeing not to go public with any gripes etc, im sure that is what everyone wants, the ban of JB should be lifted, but at the same time he should decide not to come onto the railway, unless its because hes on an engine on a railtour coming onto MHR metals then it would prevent any problems, but its time to move on, i,m not involved in railway preservation now, but if i were to move back into the area, i would be back at Ropley in 2 seconds flat, if they would have me that is?

 

You could always ask to be called Dave when you turn up................................................ the more Dave's the merrier! there was an occasion at the gala where at least four out of the assembled gallery were called Dave, so the others also ended up being called called Dave - made life so much easier!!!.......

As for drinking tea "from the wagon group".................... I assume you mean wagon group mug? Lol! And thank you for your support, we don't make much from the sale of each one but, every bit helps with the maintenance of the fleet plus new projects, without fund raising we would not have the fleet we do

BTW keep the blogs coming, always an interesting read - Q - any progress with them being linked/published on the MHR website yet? if not PM 21B and get the ball rolling! And no I don't know him, but I do know he's rather involved with the railway...... win win for both parties, all in the best interest etc, etc, etc.......

 

The plan with my blogs is to keep them published on there current site, we have got a few other guys inovlved from other projects (GSWR and 6024 Society) and the posts have inspired a few people to get involved volunteering on the railways with2 recently starting on the IOW. We have a good social media platform so we are able to share the posts with all the people (hopefully) that would visit the MHR website. The Mid Hants is still the best for place of 35005s official post (Our Dave and John did a post recently) my blogs (are MHR approved as we have raised a decent amount of money) just focus about what I physically do so it doesnt give an overall view of the project. The primary aim of the posts to show people that volunteering isnt as scary and daunting as it might seem with the updates on 35005 which gives us most of our views and attention are the secondary purpose.


I do love the Wagon Group mug (just because of its clever design) the stand seemed very busy when we visited during the gala. Hopefully you made a raised a good amount of funds for your projects. The wagons also feature in my best shot from the MHR gala when they headed towards Ropley behind Wadebridge.

 

That's one fabulous photo!

 

Has 34016 Bodmin left the railway yet or is it still there

 

I did hear it's still at Alresford.

 

I believe it is still in the headshunt at Alresford, I will have a quick look later today. The Black 5 is now back home and the rumour is that Bodmin may be departing by rail for Southall!

 

Interesting.................................

If true, there'll be plenty out to see it!

 

i would assume her vac system is in working order to enable her to move in a fitted rake,
it is an interesting move though, why Southall, unless she is going to be towed from Southall to carnforth at a later date, unles she is in better condition than people think, but she would still need a lot of work to be returned to traffic. including a boiler lift

 

45379 has returned facing out of Alresford.

 

45379 & Britannia on shed at Ropely last night.
Not the best photos ever, but is was wet and miserable at 5 last night.


45379 Facing London


70000 will obviously be heading back into the wheel drop at some point.

Nellie & Cheltenham were in use on the RAT and the Belle last night.

 

I was driving 850 on the Rat last night.....not a lot of fun in the fog and the drizzle, made for some interesting rail conditions.

 

We thought it might be interesting driving last night, but from the bar, you seemed to have everything under full control.

 

My experience is that everything seems fine when you are in a bar.......

 

I see from the photos that the tender for 30506 is now in the yard. Has the loco chassis now gone into the workshop for its major surgery to begin?