Loco 76017

And that is why, now a line has to be drawn, and that includes with those with whom he might have shares in locomotives with, because of the influence he might be able to bring, that's why IMHO, the trust should consider What's now best for the railway, And that might involve selling its shares in 34105, so that the engine then can be removed and the final link to the past severed, the money could then be put into 80150, to start an overhaul fund, to be able to leap frog other engines, as well as kickstart raising the money needed to restore it possibly away from the MHR,

 

Selling its interest in 34105 to sever the final link to the past does indeed seem sensible.

There were once discussions about selling 34105 to the Swanage railway, about 20 or so years ago. Not sure what scuppered that idea, probably the complications with ownership and gettting all owners to agree.

 

Can anyone honestly believe, after the events of 2009, that the MHR and Mr. Bunch are anything but careful in their interactions? And more to the point perhaps, bearing in mind that history, I submit the chances of anything being said publicly by either party range from zero to none.

 

I’m not sure that is tenable. A loco arriving or leaving a line is a big deal, and I think you owe it to the members and volunteers to give an explanation. That may well be done with a jointly-agreed and carefully chosen set of words, but I don’t think you can just say nothing. Not least because the members and volunteers have a legitimate interest in the question “do we have sufficient motive power to run the planned service?”

Tom

 

It wouldn’t be the first time this has happened. For example 30120 moving from Bodmin to Swanage in 2017. Lots of rumours at the time, but never an official announcement from Bodmin, Swanage or the NRM about the reasons for the move.

 

Bearing in mind the history I would be surprised if anyone has broken any agreements or contracts.

 

Agreed, look, what's happened has happened, will it happen again, hopefully not, any engine can be sold, that's life, luckily enough, all the owning groups are satisfied with life at the MHR so with maybe one exemption, i can't see it happening again, and that exemption is 34105, because of the ownership issues,
53808 is on hire till November 2023, then, either it will leave to return to the WSR,or stay, all the rest are very unlikely to leave the railway,

 

I cannot see how this is still an issue, 76017's gone, Mid Hants are getting two powerful engines coming back in the next year or so, so they aren't "left in the lurch", I really think we should now look forward to the future of the railway rather than being stuck on something that was going to leave one way or another.

76017 will probably just disappear into overhaul and be completely forgotten about.

 

If there had not been such a falling out there were a 3 and 4F that would have been restored for the MHR. All water under the bridge now and a bitter taste at the time. I was probably too young to appreciate the full ins and outs but the impact on friends and family was significant. Our living room was the scene of multiple animated discussions!
Not to mention the William Cobbett in Farnham!

 

You’ve never been in charge of ops have you?

 

The MHR is now two locos down on the position it was in during the summer, with 925 going out of ticket as well. 35005 might be ready at the end of next year if all goes to plan, but 53808 will go out of ticket at the same time. 75079 is hoped to be finished early 2024. So that would give them 3 locos for the 2023 season and 4 locos for the 2024 season - still one less than they had during the main 2022 season. So they are running hard to stand still, and 76017 has left a big hole.

 

No, fortunately I haven't.
But I know what I would do in such a situation.
1 diesel + 1 steam running.
After all, 2 class 20's and a class 47 are avaliable for traffic.

So? That's still 3 locos.
Like I told Matt37401, if needs, they have 3 diesels, use them more.
Be thankful it's operating.

 

That depends on why you think people turn up to have a ride on the MHR.
My experience is, that other than obviously events like a diesel galas, the public (the ones who actually pay some of the bills through the farebox contribution) are going to expect to see a steam loco. Otherwise you may just as well go and have a ride on a train on the National network.
To the non enthusiast what is the USP of a heritage diesel?

 

I wouldn’t class my mum as an enthusiast but as mentioned in several previous posts she rather enjoys seeing the 1000’s and the 800 at the SVR go past the house because she remembers them from her youth.

 

Heritage diesels do have their own market, but as with anything you have to publicise when you intend to run services using them, early/ late season on the quieter days makes most sense.

 

Don't forget 499. As 21B has already stated, the restoration could be accelerated, if required.

The boiler is already undergoing refurbishment in Ropley boilershop and I believe the frames are coming on nicely. The axleboxes and wheelsets were if I remember correctly, refurbished by Riley's at Bury some 20 years ago but obviously may need some slight attention if any deterioration has taken place.

The other main area of comprehensive work is the reconstruction of the tender, which appears to be moving on at a steady pace.

 

You know something Gladiator 5076?
I'm really not going down this route anymore, in these situations, what anyone suggests will be considered "wrong" unless it's something everybody wants to hear, then they'll be hailed as a hero.

I said my piece now, so I'd rather move on.

 

Plus, do those diesels have the capability to keep a train warm on a cold winters' day? Not all diesels have steam heating capability. So unless you want to have Kilmersden permanently attached to the train to look pretty and keep the punters warm, the diesel idea doesn't work in winter