Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

It was really only making the point that like you say, not all railways are the same, 35006 was mentioned a little earlier in the thread but as I’ve pointed out that loco Isn’t a true representation as it wasn’t overhauled at the Gwsr’s expense. We’re lucky that our owning groups stand on and do all there maintenance whilst also helping others when needed, plus as many are also qualified footplate crew they have intimate knowledge of the engines. We are the odd one out admittedly and others have to make sound business based decisions.

 

I cannot show this with numbers, but I wonder if part of the issue at the MHR is the gradient profile. We have a summit roughly in the middle and so the loco is coasting for half the time for sure, but climbing for the other half reasonably steeply.

Add to that a 25mph speed limit which means that something like a MN on 5 coaches is never going to superheat effectively when working. So will be quite inefficient. A recipe for excessive coal consumption.

By contrast 41312 on 5 is definitely superheating. And a std 4 is also superheating on that load at that speed.

A more level line may not see as significant a difference between types because maybe nothing superheats and also the load on the locos is less.

The comments about the Bluebell might tend to back up my thought given their gradient profile and range of locos.

Recalling the days when 35005, 34016 and 73096 were working on the mainline it was noticeable how the speed and load (especially the speed) tended to make the locos far more efficient. The 5 would get from Alton to Bishops Lydeard on not much more coal than it would use to do a fairly average day on the MHR, and the difference with 005 was more pronounced I think.

 

Alresford tonight.

 

Did they have LED lights in 1913 GWR land?

 

Back then oil lights did not quite have the same impact.
So has 2999 been rented from Didcot for the MHR lights trains?.

 

Stuff the LED lights! How many Low Loaders did the GW have?

 

Given that the MHR has lost 76017, anyone got any inside info as to what management priorities into 2023 are likely to be? Given that funds are likely to be tight will they just focus on getting one loco back steaming reasonably quickly? I think that the conclusions from the recent posts on this thread are:
1. While we all want to see CanPac back steaming, while Bulleids look great they are expensive to run. Standard 4s, 5s and Black Fives suit the line better
2. Locos that have steamed in the preservation era are generally easier to get running again than those that haven't
3. Restoring locos owned by MHRPS (or where MHRPS is the majority shareholder) avoid ownership issues

Any thoughts?

 

I think the whole discussion is already there if you only read back a few pages!

 

75079 and 35005 are the priorities, and both well advanced. Urie group 499 is progressing at good speed too, I understand.

 

Thanks. This is helpful. I guess the concern is what happens if 53808 goes out of ticket before 75079 or 35005 are available. Especially in the lead up to Christmas 2024

 

So looks like long term the MHR will not rely on private owners?
From
https://watercressline.co.uk/steam-locomotives/
The current operational steam loco line up is: 506, 53808, 41312 Ivatt and Kilmersdon/Percy (not mentioned, too small for some trains?) with 2999 visiting.

From the website, which needs updating: 30925 and Thomas are out of service, 76017 has been moved off site (TBC)

If 499, 75079 and 35005 Canadian Pacific possibly return in time for the 2023 Summer season (the website says 35005 might be late 2023), should be OK. 35005 Canadian Pacific has high running costs so might be limited to how much use? But other locos might also return from overhauls?, but the website does not give firm dates as overhauls seem to always take longer than expected?

 

If the MHR has Lady of Legend why not have a few days of 'ordinary' trains using her.

I would rather fancy a ride behind her and I am sure there would be others

 

Finally a real engine

 

Well if you're going to go all Swindon on us .....Does it need pointing out that's one of their later narrow gauge engines, therefore scarcely 'proper'?

 

As far as I am concerned I would love to see her working again. For me she is sacred for what she did in May and June 1965. Never to be forgotten runs and all with the late Gordon Hooper driving and Dave Wilson firing. See my book Twilight of Southern Steam.

 

Memories and records don't pay the bills though....

 

I guess you haven't been on it, yet. Hopefully its had s̶o̶m̶e̶ a lot of attention since its visit to the NYMR.

 

I had heard. Whatever, it will be an experience

 

Weren't a lot of the niggles sorted when she was at the SVR?