MHR Restorations and Overhauls

The NYMR have recently turned out an overhauled Black 5 into traffic for the summer season without actually finishing the paintwork, the loco will visit the paintshop in October. Was a case of urgent necessity I suppose.

 

Maybe languishing was the wrong word, but it has been a long time between its initial steam test and the present day. Just how long exactly?

 

Just to clarify, does the difference in time between the boiler test and the present mean that the loco is two years into its ten year boiler certifcate?

Regards

 

There is now an update about 45379 on the MHR web site. Looks like her first run will happen on the S&D gala weeekend (10th Sept)

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Loco/View/241

 

Pics and Vid of 45379 are up on Tony Woods steamTube page here: http://steamtube.ning.com/profile/TonyWood

 

View attachment 1641 45379 pulled out of the Wheeldrop shed today and lit up again for test runs during the weeks following final singing off by the boiler inspector.
A litte taster.
David

 

how long before we see a Black 5, Standard 5 double header i always wondered how different each loco would be in traffic but its good to see that its now almost there its good to see some good news for a change

 

Both loco's are facing each other. So for the time being they can't be double headed.

 

Well as they will be bunker or chimney together it will look crap but at least its possible for the last year and a bit the Std 5 has to run on the Mhr. The Black 5 is going to be the usual 3 shot wonder and then thats it as it faces out of Alton.
Apart from the clearance through Chawton Woods during Feb this year there hasnt been any lineside cutting back at all on this section . I regrettably dont have the time nor the Garden shed to put the multitude of tools needed to emulate Lee Dave and Andy on the Ropley Medstead section.
I have asked if the PWay could flail this section but I fear the plant is preoccupied Ropley clearing the shed so this wont happen.

60163s last day running at the Mid Hants lets hope to see her back again next year in her new coat of paint.

 

Hi Dave,

I’m not sure you can get any shots down the Alton section now. I went for a train ride a few weeks ago and the trees/bushes have engulfed most of the well known photo spots.

 

Having seen how much effort you have been putting in on your length this year I think It will take more than me and a few loppers to sort it . As there isnt any access for other photographers to take photos on the lineside I wont have a rush of willing helpers lol Oh Well .
David

 

Thanks Dave,

Great to see the whistle boards have been installed at Sun lane Bridge and at Wanders curve.

http://lee.mediaobjects.co.uk/p66835036.html

 

OK tender to tender double header at least that way you wont upset everyone at least one engine will be smokebox first each trip

 

Actually, I think you'll find that you will upset the photographic community in both directions!

 

Indeed it will . However far better than Swanage who manage an inordinate number of smoke box to smokebox when ever we go there ! . sorry dont wish to upset our Swanage freinds.

 

Reading the MHR web site today. 45379 has been on a test run to Alesford at back.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Loco/View/242

 

It's great to see 45379 alive again. I think she is going to be very popular on the MHR!

Sad news about 850 in the latest Heritage Railway mag for those who want to see her on the ML. The report says she won't be returning to the ML for the rest of her current boiler ticket and will only be able to operate on preserved lines. Her operating future will be reviewed when her 10 year ticket runs out.

 

Does Heritage Railway give reasons for this? I thought ML running was a condition of the HLF grant.

 

In the latest Mid Hants News, it was stated that the inserts on the rear driving wheel bosses have worked loose, the MHR have put forward a proposed method of repair to the NRM.

I guess this and the fact of other mechanical jobs are probably needed at, x? amount of money, coupled with significant workshop time to bring her up to mainline standard meant it may not be cost effective given the loco is over halfway through her 7 year ticket.

Also, although her boiler has settled down nicely at the MHR, it maybe prudent to see how it behaves over a significant period of time, running on heritage railways.

If the mechanicals were brought up to scratch only for the boiler to misbehave early on in its resurrected mainline career, we can all see the headlines in the monthly comics, about wasted money by the NRM, especially in the current economic climate.

Saddening as it is, not to see Nellie on the big railway at the moment, i look forward to her running on the MHR and other heritage railways other the next few years.