MHR Restorations and Overhauls

I think the option of using 31874s tender is the only quick option .But its not run for 6 years or more!.
However there is a new 4000 gal tender tank on the former frames of 30847s 3500 gal frame in the headshunt at Ropley. So if the body of 31806s tender is beyond repair the new body already exists .However there are heat damaged axels etc to take into account.
Lets wait and see what happens over the next week or so . There is enough going on at Ropey with getting 850 and the 5s back into service .

 

Just back from Ropley.

We re-assembled parts on 73096 that had needed attention a week ago - possibly back in service for the weekend

We prepared to sort out leaks from 34007s tender (materials, method etc) and left it ready to start tomorrow.

Work continuing on 31806 and 45379 and dismantling 76017.

I'll not add anything about the fire except to say that there is a mood of determination to get on with it. I understand the key people are sorting out a plan to carry on with boiler work, and that a solution seems to be in hand for a tender for the U.

 

"....there is a mood of determination to get on with it.........!

That is why we have such an enormous amount of our Steam Heritage remaining in use in this country.

Go for it guys and girls.

 

It was great to see 73096 on The Watercress Belle on Saturday night and hauling the Alton set during the day on Sunday. It was like a BR Standard locos "mini gala", with 92212 on the other train.

 

Can't be to long now until 45379 is in service.

http://lee.mediaobjects.co.uk/p66690656.html

 

Looking good.

 

The Blackie is looking very nice indeed! I for one can't wait to see her in action!!

 

2010 should be named "The Year of the Black 5". They seem to be popping up everywhere, both on the mainline and on preserved lines. So many that I'm getting confused which is which (easily done at my age). Would be so much easier for me if they all had names ... :tape:

Richard

 

So what shall we name the black five then?, "The John Bunch"?

Regards
Chris:

 

Without implying any disrespect for John Bunch who was regrettably traduced by the MHR, I prefer my Black 5s to be nameless. This is not just because that was the way most were, but also owners who name their engines don't follow the standard the LMS had for nameplates and their fixing. This makes the engines look very odd to my eyes. Owners should look at photos of 'Ayrshire Yeomanry' before the plates were taken off; there is much to learn.

Regards

 

Yes agree with the above comments, but in this day & age the magic of Photoshop comes in handy to remove unauthentic nameplates.:smile:

 

Yes I imagine it would, but can you imagine removing the nameplate off every frame of a movie? Spielburg and Lucas might, I suppose, but I most certainly wouldn't! :mmph:

Regards

 

Yep ok fair point made on that basis.:smile:

 

I don't take photos. How does photoshop help me get rid of the nameplates in my view?

 

The Black Five should be kept nameless.

I remember all to well the days when the MHR had 31874 named `Aznar Line` and then later regretably `Brian Fisk`, after the publisher of a certain mens magazine!

76017 was also called `Hermes` for a while and i did not like that also.

However in the early days of the MHR, sponsorship helped get these locos back in traffic sooner so i suppose carrying the name of the sponsoring organisation was a small price to pay.

 

Today at Ropley 45379 was pulled out of the wheel drop shed and a fire was put in her for the first time.

http://lee.mediaobjects.co.uk/p66800774.html

 

I know what you are saying, but the boiler was steam tested at LNWR Crewe about 2 years ago. Is it not being presumptious to totally finish paint the loco and assume that no problems will occur after the fully tubed boiler has been languishing since the initial steam test at Crewe?

 

A few weeks back, someone posted a link to a cab-ride in 92212 on the MHR. As it passed 45379 which was outside a shed, smoke appeared to be coming out of the chimney even back then...

 

On that occasion the Saturday shed staff were having a joke by put a dustbin with some lit rags in the smoke box.

 

Languishing! That word brings images of a boiler being left to rot, which 45379`s certainly has not.

No i would imagine that once the steam test was complete Andy Netherwood the MHR`s head boilersmith would have drained it down and dried it out. Provided it was kept aired then i would have imagined that very little if any deterioration would have occurred.

By the way the MHR have always followed a policy of fully painting loco`s before they enter service and never had a problem.

I believe the SVR have tended to paint their locos in primer generally before full outshopping, certainly i remember 34027 "Taw Valley" in this guise for a while.