MHR Restorations and Overhauls

Which I understand John Butcher is sourcing.

Regards
Chris:

 

I hope everyone notices the letters BFB for the wheel sets for the tender .When 34046 is being fitted with disk wheels for its tender its great to see the Mid Hants doing a propper job as usual when restoring something from new.
I wasnt able to get out to see the GOODS working with the Black 5 Sunday . Lee even got sun ! .
David

 

Just wondering how you restore something from new?:confused1:

 

Im sure someone can find something off a Bulleid tender to fit to it then its a restoration.
Isnt Beachy Head on the Bluebell a rebuild as they have the regulator handle off the loco !!

 

We had an enjoyable day removing the stuff stored beside Ropley shed on Wednesday - I'd guess we found things that no-one knew were there. This is in preparation for re-using the smoke damaged cladding from the boiler shop to improve the appearance (and insulation?) of the old workshop building.

The U is looking rather good - smoke deflectors are back on and painting in progress.

The Std4 (76017) frames are ready for cleaning.

Re the BFB wheels. we have a temporary wheelset under CanPacs tender and a newly arrived machined BFB tender wheel on a pallet. I'd meant to ask Frank what was happening there. Anyone know? i'll try to remember to ask next week.

 

Yeah I saw progress on the U on the MH site. Looking very good.

 

It's nice to see that Ropley Locomotive Works doing well, certainly when you consider the terrible fire that occured recently. One thing I've noticed about the MHR though is that they've never had alot of luck when it comes to relationships with owners of locomotives, No. 35018 "British India Line" is a fine example of this... What a tradegy... It was so close to completion... But then a dispute occured between the owner of the engine and the MHR, and before we knew it, the owner took it to South Coast Steam Ltd, Portland, Dorset. Nothings happened to it since it's arrived there, just rusting away... What was/is the owner thinking...

 

Your point is taken about "British India Line", however that was then and this is now and time /people move on.

I suspect that it is all down to money as usual as I do not think the owner had any, money that is.

Regards
Chris:

 

Having seen 35018 (albeit from a discrete distance) earlier this year, I hazard to mention that although it is coated with a layer of rust, it may only be superficial - for the time being. I'm sure that something will be done about this locomotive in the fullness of time, but as coalwagon has surmised above, it may be a question of the owner's inability to self-finance its restoration. However, it also remains the owner's prerogative to do as he/she sees fit with their property, so unless people are able to put up an offer that the owner can't refuse for the locomotive, then it is probably best to let sleeping dogs lie. I'm sure it is time to move on from the MHR's fairly recent past and look to the future, which is certainly bright, particularly with the recent spate of completed restorations.

 

There is now update on the MHR web site about what's happening at Ropley.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Loco/View/291

 

No mention though of the U-Class tender being delivered to Ropley from the Bluebell tomorrow ?.

Regards
Chris:

 

I think it should be mentioned that the tender belongs to the 'Maunsell Society'

Regards

 

Should also be mentioned that it is a 6 month loan while the MHR sort out the fire damaged tender.

 

In exchange for what may I ask though I have a pretty good idea.

Remember there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Regards
Chris

 

I must admit I was thinking it would be great if we could have double-headed U classes for the Bluebell's Autumn Gala next year - although it would only look good if 1638 was painted matching lined black to go with 31806.

 

Well that's up to the Maunsell Society and the MHR and not really our concern, what matters is another U Boat will be up and running as a result of the "deal".

 

Looking on the MHR web site the tender has now arrived at Alresford.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Loco/View/293

 

BR STD4 76017 has now had its frames cleaned with the aqua machine this week. Looks like it's the right machine to strip back all the years of dirt and old paint work. Can't be to long before she starts being put together again.


http://lee.mediaobjects.co.uk/p67897478.html

 

From the angles of the pictures, I would like to know if the snapper was nodding off.

Regards

 

I missed this Wednesday at Ropley due to the aftermath of a cold that started at the end of my last TTI turn. I was TTI again on Thursday and the water-jetting was still in progress - the guys doing it were even wetter and dirtier than Peter and I had got when we used the railways steam/water cleaner to do the axleboxes and springs of 76017 a couple of weeks earlier. I believe the wheels and cab were given the same treatment as the frames.

I believe I heard that 76017s wheels are going away (to SDR?) - I guess to be re-profiled or re-tyred - not sure which. Not even sure I'm not confusng with the canpac tender wheelset wich had gone to SDR for treatment. If I'm right about 76017s wheels needing work, then I guess it will be a little while before we start putting it back together again. Work on dismantling the tender had started last week - it looked like it might need a fair bit of work. As a newbie I'm impressed by the way that 76017 has been stripped down to (almost) the last nut and bolt and the way that every component has been inventoried and labelled. With any luck it will go back together a bit easier than taking it apart.

I understand the BFB wheel casting in the shed is the first for Wadebridge's new tender.

I know a few customers were disappointed that they couldnt visit the yard this week - but with the water-cleaning and the cladding work going on, I think they understood why it was closed.

Looking forward to seeing how far Duncan has got with painting the U when I'm there next Weds.

It looks like we might be in good shape next season with 9F, Std5, Black5, Wadebridge, U and Nellie in service, and the workshops re-built.