Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Was announced on the facebook page around 2 weeks back!

 

Which is fine if you use Facebook, or even want to.

 

It’s just a website. The Watercress updates are publicly available, no log-in or Facebook account required.

https://www.facebook.com/2641881036...at-will-be-returning-for-20/5215515375151050/

Simon

 

''You must log in to continue''.

Is it worth joining? Personally, I'd rather not. <BJ>

 

Not what I see whilst logged-out.

Is it worth joining is probably related to the value you attach to travelling on the Real Ale Train. If this is the route that the Watercress Line is best able to update (and presumably, bearing in mind that post has had 101 comments and 52 shares, it's also one they know to be valuable) then it seems likely that it's the best way for you to get timely information about the service.

God knows if you're not blocking the multiplicity of trackers and ads built into NatPres it's hard to imagine how Facebook could be much worse.

Simon

 

I don't "do" Facebook at all, but in this case I can confirm that I can see the page without having to join or log in.

 

Heads up the latest copy of Urie locomotive magazine Stove pipe dropped though my letterbox yesterday. Reading the magazine last night there’s a big update on what’s been happening on 499. Looking forward to seeing and travelling behind 499.

https://uriesociety.co.uk

 

Well, it was announced that it would be back.
Dates weren't announced at that point, my link gives you those details.

But hey, why quibble, when the fun that is The RAT is back

 

Following his visit on Sunday my dad asked me what this is. Obviously some Pullman storage box of sorts but I have no idea. I am sure someone will be able to enlighten me.

 

Lunch Box?

 

Menu cards?

 

No worries, just thought you meant volunteers were not informed until the dates were announced

 

Hmmmm......

After the weather forecast predicted a hoy & humid day atop the hill yesterday, three like minded nutters gathered, prepared for the conditions, which turned out to be anything but!!!!!

So, having decided before hand to have a break from LMS van M 517317 and carry out some overdue exams on some vehicles in the running fleetv - first on the list was BR brake van B 951338, which is due to come into the yard from Bennets for top end overhaul & we'd been asked if we could give the bottom end the once over to make sure there were no nasties below....... apart from some fettling, the bottom end is in good nick!

Next on the list was box van B760337, due a 12 month exam....... this took us a fair old while - we do a thorough once over, sadly this van has been red carded so now needs to be removed from the rake & sent to the naughty siding!

Though we did do a PAD exam & filled the axleboxes with fresh oil, as ther wasn't a lot left in any of them.

After that attention turned to the tube wagon B 730821 to get it ready for an FTR & hopefully a return to traffic......

First job was to put the vac cylinder release valve back together, and then refit it to the wagon and put all the gubbins back together....... after that, it was out with the scissor jack to a crude but effective test to see if it all worked - happily, after that, I can report that it all does!!!

Then, it was out with the oil cans for a good old oil round again, following its bath time a few weeks back..... that's when we discovered that thw two London end brake hanger bolts were hanging loose..... which had previously not shown themselves before.....

So, two of us set to with spanners, sockets & monkey wrenches to try and make them come undone....

The last man standing got the job of checking all was good with the roller bearings - this vehicle had an axle swap at some time in its life, as one set are Timkin & he SFK, or is it SKF?..... I can never bloody remember! any road, matey has never encountered roller bearings before, let alone giving them the once over, so prepared to set himself up with oil etc, when it was pointed out to him that they are grease, not oil!

So, while he was taking the cannon boxes off, the two bolts holding the brake hangers were finally undone, cleaned up, greased & put back on with new split pins.

The roller bearings were all found to be in goood order with plenty of grease, so were put back together & that was that, the day was over!

The vac cylinder release valve back on the tube wagon & reconnected to the cylinder.



The brake hangers on the tube wagon sorted!



The non Timkin roller bearing looking good.

 

Final guest announcement for the MHR Diesel Gala of 33111 + LUL 4TC. A real southern flavour this year.

 

34002salisbury, I have been checking the website and all social medias but I can't seem to find anything to suggest that either of these vehicles are visiting.

May I just ask how you found out?

 

Preserved Diesel FB group - MHR operations manager

 

What he said!

 

On the subject of something a bit smaller, Ropley Miniature Railway will be having a gala this weekend, the 25-26th June. There will be two visiting Steam Locomotive's, A Royal Scot from Hastings Miniature Railway and Bullock No. 1001 The Monarch. Runs are planned to be topped and tailed and rides are free but donations are appreciated for the miniature railway.

 

We will try to get there. Which locos will be working the main railway? Nothing on loco roster yet. Thanks

 

Unsure yet however the 7f is running today, so that's likely to be one of the sets, unsure on the second engine