Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

The weather yesterday, atop the hill did its best to wreck our plans, with seemingly more rain than sun until late in the afternoon, which by then was too late to even start what had been planned!!!

Still, that didn't stop six like minded nutters from gathering to do battle with the troublesome trucks.

So, after a rather good breakfast from Loaf, we ventured down the yard, with three of the lads tasked with continuing the prep work on the steel Highfit, main jobs for the day, were to get the remains of a stubborn pin out of the south side collar on the brake weigh shaft, this took one of the lads all day, and what came out didn't even resemble a pin, so god only knows what had been used.........

The other two lads had the 'fun' job of cleaning up all the brake rigging that has been removed, with the jet wash, and after that was done, continuing to clean up the body shell of the Highfit - with a ll the water spraying about, I'm not sure if they even noticed the rain when it came down........

That left Muggin's 'Ere and me two muckers to carry on with the LMS van....... main job of the day was to refit the south side external longitudinal and door runner drill out holes for the London end hanger bracket, along with holes for all the securing bolts........ with this van, nothing is straight forward.we found that one set of holes previously drilled and bolted for one of the uprights, no longer married up, and that's after we'd jacked up the roof with the acrows to ensure that the bolt holes married up - go figure!!

Then, to add insult to injury, we discovered, that standard length drill bits weren't long enough to drill out all the holes for the securing bolts, as the chuck of the drill was fouling against the door runner!!

But by a dint of good fortune, one 'o' me muckers had bought along a set of overlength SDS auger bits......... just as well Muggin's 'Ere had placed an SDS drill on long term loan to the group a fair few years ago - you never know when something will come in handy!!!

So, the holes were then drilled with ease, and things bolted up - we then discovered that more holes had to be drilled through on the Longitudinal, but this time it was just a case of drilling though existing holes from the inside!

Once these were done, it was time to fit something that's been overlooked for a while........ one of the London end roof hoops....... again, simple on paper but a ball ache in practise, but not as bad as fitting the longitudinal and door runner! Now its up, it means that the final roof hoop at the London end can be removed and refurbed.......

Was nice to see 506 out on the service train in support of the ULS/S&D open weekend, plus we had he bonus of seeing D8188 out on a private hire - turns out it was someones birthday, as D8188 ran from Alton with the reporting number 1M24, and for once, I acually picked up the camera!

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For some reason, it totally escaped me to take a pic of the south side of the LMS van with the door runner in place!

So, a couple of pics of progresss on the steel Highfit.........

All the brake rigging having been cleaned up.



More progress with cleaning up the bodyshell.

 

The plan is that 34072 will arrive at the Watercress Line at the end of July as stated on the Southern Locomotives website:


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Thanks - not sure where I got the date of 15th July from.

 

More importantly which way round will it be facing.

 

Who cares. All that matters really is that it works.

however, as 506 faces London, it probably won’t be a surprise if it is facing country.

 

Although as 34070 faced the country maybe 34072 will face London, which will open up a whole new range of photo opportunities.

Anyway, the mid Hant Railway will make that decision.

And yes, that it works is the most important aspect of this lovely loco being at the Mid Hants.

Bryan B

 

First visitor on arrival at Alton. 0Q43 08||40 Kings Norton OTP Depôt.
Nerdy point: note incorrect Country Code with the VKM (Vehicle Keeper Mark)
Pat

 

I wonder if this is the first MHR Gala for which all the visiting locos will arrive by rail?

I like the nameplate on 50021 as well - only those who grew up in the 80s or 90s will understand...

 

I decided to capture the historic sight of HST power cars making their first ever run over the line down to Alton during my lunch break. I went to my usual location of a bridge along Green Lane between Aldershot and Farnham.
Walking on to the bridge to find a good place to take a photo I could not believe it was a bridge in use on the National network. The amount of undergrowth coming out of the bridge was unbelievable. Buddleias and trees growing from the bridge structure. I have never seen it this bad before. There was only a small gap from which you could actually see the track. I captured the power cars rolling down the hill from Aldershot surrounded by the Surrey jungle




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Not sure about Diesel Gala's, but I think the 2013 Autumn Gala had 70000, 60163 and 34046 all come in by rail. I think 34046 stayed on to receive some work and ran at the 2014 Spring Gala with 35028.

 

Well, with the box bashers beano in full swing yesterday, with a train about every 20 minutes atop the hill, the work yesterday was regularly interupted!

But, despite the distractions, we did actually manage to make some progress.......

On the steel Highfit, more of the body work was cleaned up with the aid of the jet wash, and on the LMS van, the London end, south side internal cladding is now fitted, and progress made with finishing off the country end on the same side - PLUS, a start has finally been made on manufacturing the new south side door!!!

Some pics of the visiting loco's - the nameplate on the south side of 50 021 did make I laugh.

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The pic I forget from last week......... the south side external longitudinal and door runner finally in place and bolted up.


The first section of complete internal cladding.



The south side door finally taking shape.



More progress on the steel Highfit.

 

Anyone know whats running at the weekend

Loco roster not yet updated and I fancy a visit on sunday

 

506 and D8059, subject to the usual provisos.

 

Ropley Yard this morning

 

Ivatt was on the shuttle today

 

S15 on the Alton service

 

Very many thanks for posting those photos. It looks like 34072 is facing Alton - which to me is fabulous!

And, and . . it is just starting to look a little bit weathered . . . . . but that is just me being greedy.

I guess it's not long since arrival, but any hints as to when it may enter service will be gratefully received.

Bryan B

 

Indeed yes. Once we get a date we will be there

 

Oh dear.

 

Todays Alton Loco