MHR Restorations and Overhauls

Colin, thanks for the info! I'm hoping to pop down tomorrow to get some photos for a model of Ropley I'm building so will phone the info line before I leave.

Thanks again,

Tom.

 

A correction to my previous post - information from Tim Beere (Marketing):



The top car park at Ropley is not open to the public. Public car park is Alton and Alresford only.

Re: public access to the yard via the trains will continue during building work, unless otherwise stated at the time for the works etc. There may be restricted access at some times. Shunting and crane restrictions remain as they did before, no access.

 

Hi Colin.

Thanks for the additional info. Parking not a problem as I'd be using public transport or if the weather is ok I might even cycle down.

Tom.

 

Hi Everyone,

31806 had a loaded test run yesterday.

 

Plenty of interesting activity at Ropley yesterday with the U class out and about on a private hire train and warming fires in 5224 and Nelson, both of which are having minor tweaks before returning to service. We had the big crane in yesterday to move the various storage containers from assorted locations onto the levelled site formerly occupied by the unused turntable, so the area in front of the station now looks tidier than it has done for years. Rumour has it that we might even get our car park back, but only until the builders return for the next major phase of the re-development.

 

Ater two days of a charter with newly returned U Class 31806 on Monday and Tuesday 14th and 15th March. Thanks must go to the Guys at Ropley shed who worked to iron out some tweaks on Monday evening ready for Tuesdays runs with the loco and of course the crews for their exellent efforts tho for them I feel a charter is more like play time getting used to a new engine.
I have added a picture from Monday and Tuesday on here and if anyone is interested a link to my new (post Fotopic) web site which is work in progress please bear with me on this !
http://linesidephotos.smugmug.com

Thanks David

 

Superb shots David. I like the ones in the new issue of Heritage Railway too (of 73096).

 

Thanks for your comment re Heritage Magazine I was somewhat surpised in the content of that article ... It does however give credit to those on the Mid Hants that stive to make the railway what it is today in both building and rolling stock its a shame we probably wont get to see 73096 go through its third overhaul at Ropley.

 

850 Lord Nelson was in light steam on Wednesday and had a test run yesterday. A little more on the MHR web site.

 

Seconded Green Five a superb shot, well done David.

CW:

 

why might it not stay at Ropley?

 

Isn't it part of the JB collection?

 

Purely Rumour and Speculation with regard to 73096 . We will just have to wait and see what happens .Many crews would love it to stay and I am included in that sentiment.
David

 

So if they leave where would the JB locos go. I'd love 73096 to stay at Ropley as its one of the MHR flagships. It was the first loco I had a ride with there back in 1998.

 

I would say that 45379 has replaced 73096 as a "flagship" since returning to service (and not forgetting 31806). I still wouldn't want to see 73096 leave though ...

 

I think I might shed a few tears on 73096's last day in steam at the MHR in September.... Hopefully there will be notification of this like there was for 41312 (although the Ivatt did run on a bit longer than expected!) It will be sad if she is moved away from the MHR where she is one of the favourites of the fleet. If I won the lottery I would certainly make the owner a very good offer to buy her! I would also sort the "problem" rod out so that she could get back out onto the ML now and then. I will certainly savour her runs on the line next weekend if it is sadly her last MHR Gala.

 

Especially after all the time, money & effort in replacing the smashed cylinder. I remember seeing it when first restored, in the mid 80's?, in lined black as 73080 "Merlin".

 

I'm assuming there is no chance of an extension for 73096 as she spent some time out of traffic whilst the repairs were done?

And also, what happened to her repaint, i swear i remember reading she would be fully repainted towards the end of last year?

 

I did wonder about an extension as I heard something last year about her ticket running out in 2012.
I think the idea of a re-paint went out the window as the chaps at Ropley have had (and still have) rather a lot to do. In the end only the smokebox was repainted.

 

Great to see 31806 out today on a service train.