Fire at Mid Hants

Correct Lee as it has gone to Harry Needles. The good news though is that there will be a replacement shunter from Harry.

I am also led to believe that the bogies for the Dining Car are possibly going to the Bluebell and the buffers to the IOW Steam Railway.

Regards
Chris

 

Well I didn't expect anything less for the class 11, but thats a real shame about the LSWR dining car, it been unique and all. Any news on the U tender?

 

Not yet , the tender and the TSO have yet to be moved.

Regards
Chris

 

Now Harry has a very nice 07 ... Much better than another 350 . and it would complement the USA tank . All we would need is 30102 from Bressingham.
David

 

Has anyone any images of the demolition work taking place in respect of the C & W shed, I was wondering if the steel framework has to come down if the fire was intense enough to distort the steelwork?

 

Please see http:steamtube.ning.com/photo/thats-the firedamaged-tender

I hope this link works for you?

Regards
Chris

 

Your link didn't work for me Chris, but here's a pic that I think shows how much damage has been done to the framework


Keith

 

Thanks Keith, that is what I was trying to show.

I must get the children to improve my computer skills.

Regards
Chris

 

Keith: Thanks. Question answered! Must have been intense.

46118

 

Was on site today all that remains in the shed area is the tender . The Mk 1 TSO is now cut up and the bogies remain . The fire damaged the retaining wall on the field side so apart from demolishing the shed( the ex Plentys of Newbury section) the retaining wall will need some serious attention before the shed can be rebuilt.
I did take photos but wont post them sorry .
Still some framework to demolish so probably another two weeks removal work and then turn to getting the Boiler Shop up and running again . Smoke and HEAT damage in parts of the cladding of this as well the two big fans at the Bighton Road end of the shed MELTED in the heat ....

 

Whilst rooting around the net it looks like there's some good news at the MHR..

out of the ashes it looks like 45379 is now painted and raising steam and no doubt by now moving on it's own.. whilst 73096 is in operation once again.
with 31806 not far away things are looking pretty interesting and worth the visit.

 

I popped up last night. 45379 was in steam with the blower on and making ready to go out for more trials. Needless to say it looks immaculate with not one ounce of unintended steam dribbling out anywhere! The damaged U tender was in the yard and the staff are reluctant (or fed up with being asked ) to talk about its condition so I didn't press it. I got the impression that the despair phase is long over and now everyone is in the mood to move forward again with renewed determination. Well done to all the staff and volunteers.

 

That is the impression I am getting when I go to Ropley as well Domeyhead.

Events have certainly moved on fast as according to the latest "Communication Cord" the Boiler shop will be complete by this Autumn and the re-built C&W will be complete by next February. Work is also starting on Phase 2, the extension to the old shed, this September also.

Good news indeed.

Regards
Chris:

 

Well this is good news Chris.

If my memory serves me right, the shed that was lost in the fire was only constructed over a fairly short period of time last year. The fact that the site has been cleared so rapidly, should allow the rebuilding contractors to start work fairly swiftly.

 

None that I know of Martin, however I am sure that we will be told when it is all official.

However , and this is only my opinion, the people who work in that shed should be told the cause so at least they can guard against it happening again, even if they have to be sworn to secrecy.

LOL, rant over.

Regards
Chris:

 

Wow, just been onto Tony Woods picture site on Steam Tube, he`s uploaded some pic`s from today.

It seems that the boiler shop is being extensively rebuilt with probably only the framing being kept, new cladding will probably be going on soon if the contractors follow the pace of speed that they did when they first built the thing.

Also the fire must have been pretty darn hot because i note that the concrete floor of the C&W shop was damaged or destroyed to the point that it has had to be replaced also.

Great rebuilding progress in the 8-9 weeks since the fire.

Also have read elsewhere, of the possibility of a replacement Class11 being bought.

Quote below

From WNXX:
"12082... Class 11 12082 [01553] (HNRL) has been brought down from Scotland to Barrow Hill. It has been sold by HNRC and is being prepared to pass on into preservation, possibly as a replacement for 12049, seriously damaged in a fire at the Mid Hants Railway in July."

 

More pictures & an article in the latest SR arrived today. The roof beams dropped so low, they were touching the roof of the shell of the Mk1 coach. Also states the fire voided the warranty of the cladding of the boiler shop so it is having to be renewed. Now mention of any cause though.

 

I see that diesel shunter (12082) will be going to the MHR.