MHR Restorations and Overhauls

exactly, this is my reasoning behind this, i see no reason why the railway shouldnt at least make the offer to release the out of ticket engines sooner, in an act of good will leaving just the standard 5 and u class which can still be used , that way everyone wins, JB can remove bodmin so he can start its overhaul and the N and second U can be found new homes rather than the headache of having to move 5 engines all with in a short time span because i cant see the MHR wanting this to be drawn out

 

Don't forget all this talk about 73096 and 34016 possibly going main line is only a rumor and may never happen.

 

Agreed, however neither of these two are likely to get an overhaul soon IMHO even if they are returned to their owner. The Standard 5 and 34016 have mainline earning potential and are both in relatively good condition.

73096 especially, should require just a fairly straightforward overhaul, with not too many nasties to cost a fortune.

 

The standard 5s were highly regarded by footplate crews. They often reached 100mph on the Southern Region, 73082 'Camelot' (now preserved at the Bluebell) being one of them. With this in mind I doubt it has been modified in any way, they're just very good locos.

73096 is a brilliant loco. In fact, I've not heard a bad thing said about it. It'll be nice to see it out on the big railway again...

 

I would have thought that both parties would have to adhere to the terms of the agreement, whatever it should be.

 

i shouldnt think that there would be anything written into any agreement if its something both parties agree to and given that Tangmere being out of trffic for the whole of last year, would have cost the owners a vast ammount of lost revenue, i for one would expect to see 73096 back on the main line fairly quickly its very well liked and a capable engine that can go anywhere its not limited to 60 like a black 5 and would put any of ian riley's 5's to shame

 

Never had the pleasure nor privilege of travelling behind one on the mainline but I have been out to see 73096 at Upton Scudamore a couple of times - she sounded as good as anything I've heard and stormed the bank on both occasions with a heavy load and no smelly on the back pushing, on one occasion in soaking wet conditions. Always been impressed with 73096 but also love the Caprotti Std 5 - had great runs behind both on preserved lines... closest thing to the bark of a Western

Really would love a Std 5 back on the mainline though, with the larger driving wheels they have the edge on the black 5s for me since they can run at 75mph

 

Other than the MHRs change of policy to running mainline engines a few years back (with the exception of Bittern paid for by Mr H) I thought 73096 was withdrawn from mainline running due to a coupling rod, or another rod having a weakish weld which was not up to the stresses of mainline use... think there was some debate as to whether the offending rod was even 73096s in the first place. I'm sure there's someone on here who remembers/knows more about all that though.

Still want to see it back on the mainline though

 

it was withdrawn because some of the motion was not up to the correct material spec, or that was the stated reason, but i think it was withdrawn because the MHR were not going get involved with main line work themselves

 

Firstly, Tangmere could not go on forever. Secondly, the last part of your post is absolute rubbish.

 

which part, even IR admitted that the std 5 is a better engine than the black 5, "its a more refined engine" his words not mine this from when he used to be on here and i asked him about the 73xx compared to a stainier 5 , but he also said he prefered the black 5

 

This is pure speculation gents as 73129 as already stated about J B ,s Loco,s going early.

I have to say though it would make sense for both parties which would finally put to bed this saga letting everyone move on.

Just my opinion.

Regards
Chris:

 

On the positive side 31806 was in full steam today and undergoing Safety Valve setting at Ropley Shed today.
A few pictures are here http://lineside.photos.preserved.fotopic.net/c1936559.html
David

 

A fantastic set of photos as always David!! Lovely to see 31806 looking so beautifully done. Has 31806 encountered a few scratches on the drivers side valve chest or is it just a small leak?

Many Thanks

Andy

 

It was steamy rust dripping down from the valves...it was on both cylinders.Something that newly restored locos suffer from untill they have run some miles.
I remember the rust we encountered with 506s first runs
David

 

I'm not too keen on the new set of accessories fitted to the top of the chimney :

http://lineside.photos.preserved.fotopic.net/p68827709.html

 

Thought you might apreciate it as that type of signal drops.Only angle possible as 73096 was in front and theres a lighting pole as well. David

 

The photos are fantastic, both the old and the new ones. And the loco looks gorgeous! Thanks for posting.

 

Update on the MHR web site loco roster page. 45379 is now working this coming weekend in place of 73096.


http://www.watercressline.co.uk/The-Works/Loco-Roster

 

looking at the the great photo's of 31806... I always disliked the fact she has what look like LMS/BR standard buffers instead of the original SR one... I was told that this is due to her new BR cylinders and frames etc..