John Bunch's Southern Moguls

I'm very pleased the three Moguls will remain together, and pleased that their new home will continue to be appropriate to the type. As an MHR member I'll miss them but of course only one is currently running anyway, and I can assure friends at the Swanage Railway that I'll be down to see them every year. I'll be even more pleased to see them steaming into Wareham before too long! With luck the MHR will have 3 S15s in the same timescale as 31874 so everyone has something to look forward to.

 

It was clear some time ago that the three moguls were going to the same place, which is probably a good idea... glad that 31874 is going to be given a fast track restoration, I always liked her as a loco. Whilst I will miss 31806 on theWatercress Belle (ideal size for us, not too big put powerful enough to overcome frost and leaves on the line) 76017 will soon be back in service, which was always my favourite motive power! Looking forward to more visits to Swanage, which is a fine railway, 31806 looked fine there last year (in fact Corfe Castle and 31806 feature on my screensaver) and to some different locos at the bottom of my garden. If only Mr Chambers good be presuaded to break out the paint pots and get to work on Lord Nelson with a darker shade of green, and a little lion on the tender....

 

Sad to see the trio leave the MHR, especially 31874.

I was present as a young 9 year old boy to witness the MHR re-opening train at Alresford, way back in 1977, hauled by the N.

On a positive note however, for me living in the West Country. A trip to the Swanage Railway to see the locos working, wont be quite so far as going to the MHR to see them.

 

31806 wasn't in action today. I just hope there's a possibility of seeing 31806 in steam before the move to Swanage.

 

I wonder if she is running tomorrow? What were they using instead today?

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850 pulled into Alton at 1.40 just as I was getting off a train from Waterloo, watched it clank loudly down the platform before having to leave.

 

Can't say for sure but I walked passed 31806 early afternoon today and there wasn't a fire in it. 30850 and 30925 were both working the service trains today and 34007 was standby loco to cover the RAT turn tonight if required.

 

850 & 925 were the service trains today.34007 was being prepared for this evening.

 

when is 31806 due to leave for swanage, it could very well be that she has already worked her last MHR service if she is leaving early next month

 

see http://www.national-preservation.co...1806-on-mid-hants-railway-now-in-july.302855/

 

According to the MHR web site 31806 is work up to 24th July.

 

31806 was rostered for this weekend but didn't run as it seems she may have a mechanical problem. How serious I do not know, it would be a shame if she doesn't get to have a final fling before leaving.

Wadebridge, Nelson and a seemingly quiet Thumper running today.

 

More info about 31806 here

http://www.national-preservation.com/threads/mhr-restorations-major-progress.24270/page-97

 

I was told some years ago that part of the MHR/JB agreement was to handover one working loco at the end of the agreement which is why 31806 was overhauled. I guess they will have to sort her out before handing her back to JB.

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Could be a bent ashpan. A few stray cinders have found their way onto the lineside recently. Hopefully, a repair can be made for the final 3 weeks in service.

 

I don't know who told you that, but it isn't correct.

 

Be interesting to see how it pans out at Swanage in that respect, Sir Keith Park already went the SVR because there was unlikely to be enough work for it Swanage before the prospect of the moguls arriving.

 

A duff connecting rod bearing. Work in progress to fix.

 

And thankfully the SVR has not committed to it remaining there long term.

 

Hmm I think you will find out you are wrong there.

34053 didn't come to Swanage for a number of reasons, work for 3 bullieds is expensive. 71b needs more suitable motive power and Bullieds are not that.

That said, that was only one of the reasons...