MHR Restorations and Overhauls

On completely different note - this is certainly a unique method of advertising, or as some might say - a bold or a brave move!!

Trainspotting takes to the roads of Hampshire and beyond! | Watercress Line

I just hope that the Haulier says in business for the duration and beyond.........................................

 

I cannot believe that you said that John, is the MHR the only one with a line like this then?

Regards
Chris:

 

As the person who set the deal up, I think L Hunt & Sons will absolutely still be here in 6+ years time. As one of the countries longest standing haulage companies (est. 1896 continuous) and personal friends, I think if anyone can come through the current fuel issues, they can!

I don't think there is anything brave about this approach at all. Bold, certainly. But isn't that the whole point of advertising? The deal makes perfect sense. Just glad the MHR were the first to do it. Who knows, this could be the first of more.......

The truck will make its first public appearance at Basingstoke Festival of Transport this Sunday. Pictures will be posted to the railways Facebook site.

Tim Beere
Ex MHR Marketing Manager - now Marketing & 75079 Gang volunteer

 

sadly many lines are like this, when you've seen them working and now in a siding rusting..
Not intended as offensive, it is in my opinion sad to see.

Does MHR have plans for covered accommodation at some point for its retired runners ? ( I see the line is a bit constrained for growth space).
today was my 5th visit in a year, so MHR takes no1 spot in my most visited railway list.

On a separate note, what's undergoing overhaul outside on the road behind 73096.. Looks at bit midland railwayish ?

 

If you mean the 0-6-0 tender loco - that would be Douglas...

 

Yes we do, and yes we are....

As with anything though the solution is really finiding the money to do it, but it is certainly quite high up the list of "wants", though there are some other things we must do first.

 

Surely if the mhr were into preservation and not just money making then the very least they could do for a loco that has earned them money over the years is get a couple of volunteers and some oil and grease and smear it all over the locos. Most other railways manage to do that! Just a shame they aren't interested in preservation!

 

Those are an interesting couple of accusations (possibly libelous), from someone who doesn't have the guts to put their name to their statements and with only 4 previous posts.


Keith

 

As I spend 2 days/week volunteering at MHR aI know there are complex cntractual issues concerning some of the locos, and I'm sure the owners and MHR responsibilities are well defined and understood - at least for the last several years if not before.

I'm sure that if "factfinder" were to offer to volunteer to bring some oil and grease and apply it to the locos (with the owners consent) the MHR would make him/her welcome.

 

Won't stop the rain getting under the casing and soaking the lagging, think about it. Covered accommodation is the only way to go and hopefully this will happen in the not too distant future.

 

Oh so true, covered accommodation is the only way forward IMHO to protect our heritage.

Factfinder , (sorry I did not catch your name), please contact me off list and I will put you in tough with someone who will provide you with the oil and grease. All you have to do is let me know which day you want to do this and please do not forget your hi-viz and boots.

Best regards

Chris Willis
Mid-Hants Wagon and Vintage Carriage Group.
Chris

 

Just to change the subject are there any up to date photos of whats in the headshunt ?

 

Took this one as we went past last week.




Kings Cross footbridge is taking shape... this is a very green station !

 

Horrible to see 34016 in that condition, when i last saw her, her green paintwork more resembled a grey colour.

 

lets hope mechanic speaking shes okay so when its her turn to steam again we can put this sorry state behind us.
But thats what 6-8years ? in a head shunt does to a loco

 

I wonder who's going to put 34016 back in steam again? Will the present owner find another home for his loco or will he sell the loco? I wonder if JB will sell all of this locos or keep all of them? The other option he has is to retain one or two locos and sell the others off to fund the overhaul of his remaining locos? But I'm sure within the next few years we will find out. When his loco agreement runs out in late 2013.

 

rumour i heard was 34016 and 73096 will be sold to WCRC

Don't know about the other locos

 

I understood it to be September 2014, but i guess we`ll just have to wait and see.

If the recent movement of 35018 to WCRC is anything to go by i think Carnforth is a likely destination for at least 34016 and 73096, however the moguls im not so sure.

31806 will probably find work somewhere, that will have her.

31874 and 31625 need considerable cash to get up and running again.

 

With the only future for these engines being away from the MHR, the purchase of 73096 and 34016 by West Coast for main line running would be a welcome development, I''m sure, forr anyone who sampled these locos when they were out on the main line a few years back. Still, West Coast are known for playing their cards VERY close to their chest, so even if some purchase has been discussed, it's unlikely to imagine any formal announcement some two years before the loco agreement with JB runs out. I nevertheless hope the rumour machine is correct on this.

As for the moguls, I hope they all find good homes. Although so much main line operation is now in the hands of 4-6-0s and pacifics, there does seem to be a niche market for smaller engines. 76084 looks set to step into the shoes of "Pocket Rocket" 76079 now that engine has been sold to the NYMR. With Ian Storey, owner of 44767, a key player in the 76084 consortium, it's hard to imagine that a restoration to main line standard wold have been undertaken without a fair degree of confidence that a mogul with 5'3" driving wheels will find work. The Southern engines are bigger, and a U has 6' wheels and an N 5'6". Both classes were very capable - Redhill men used to take some pretty heavy trains up the 1 in 96 gradients of the North Downs line with Us and Ns, (and of course, 31625 did run on the main line in preservation), so I for one hope that alongside 34016 and 73096, we might see a Southern "Mighty Mogul" on the main line again one day.

 

There is now another update by the Urie S15 group.

ULS - Progress on all fronts | Watercress Line