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MHR Restorations and Overhauls

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by LN850, May 21, 2010.

  1. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    If the loco's stored have no reasonable chance of a return to service , why not just let them go now , free up storage space and allow the railway to focus on it's fleet . Or is there some hope that an agreement can be reached ?
     
  2. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Hello Martin:

    There may be some truth in the last line though I also suspect that there is no where else for them to go.

    Also an agreement is an agreement which certainly in this case is written in tablets of stone until 2014.

    Time will tell.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  3. Widge

    Widge New Member

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    Totally agree James, and what would appear to be the current Mid Hants policy of taking on Southern classics and BR Standards seems spot-on to me. Wonder if we're got any more old junk hiding in the Ropley undergrowth which could be exchanged for the skeletal remains of 92245 as a VERY long-term project?
     
  4. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Some interesting information here - the one loco everyone seems to have forgotten about is the Ivatt 41312. Any idea when that may see service again?
     
  5. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    This loco is privately owned so Mr Jones who owns it will proberbly have a hefty bill to pay, who knows.

    Although he should have a large chunk of it as he was renting it out to the Bluebells extension for quite a while, and charged a large fee.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  6. LN850

    LN850 Member

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    The Bunch locos will be on MHR until 2014, set in stone, nothing will change.
     
  7. TheEngineer

    TheEngineer Member

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    Very much of the same interest, is there a plan ?? does anyone know. It seems to be a very usefull size engine to just sit in store or has it got some serious problems that will take heavy works to sort out , like needs a new boiler and tyres and tanks ?? and.... or is it yet another loco locked in a cost / private owner issue thats not taking it anywhere in the forseable future. Thats sad if it is. Best Regards The Engineer
     
  8. LN850

    LN850 Member

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    The works are so bogged down trying to get a decent fleet working, what has been mentioned is what is to be the work for the next 7 or so years. There is no owner 'issues' with 41312 to my knowledge, just please stop coming up with new ideas for locos until we can get some more working!
     
  9. TheEngineer

    TheEngineer Member

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    Thanks for your comment James .
    It was not intended on my part to suggest any new or different projects / ideas. I was purely interested on what grounds it stood in a seemingly long que of heavy work at the MHR.

    It seems from a long way away ( thats me) that there are shortages of availible motive power generally in the forward immediate plan , not much at the small end, which is presumably usefull in off peak season and availible for hire in high season.

    It maybe that the owner might consider it leaving site to have an overhaul elsewhere, be used elsewhere temporarily to get it back in traffic and be generally of use.

    That on the other hand might not fit the plan / agreement the owner and MHR have. We as observers and readers and possible funders sitting here are not all party to all knowledge , it just seemed a lost article with little Motive Power value until it steams again.

    Locomotives are an encumberance unless they have a fire in them. At which stage they turn to being an assett.No offence meant to anyone. If it was availible today would you be rostering it ?? for service trains, or is it surplus to requirement possibly at this time , next 2 years , next 5 years its just a thoiught.

    Thanks for your response.
     
  10. Maunsell man

    Maunsell man Well-Known Member

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    So you AREN'T going to start the new build Leader project this year then???

    Its not a requirement to have all engines in steam at all times. If they sit for many years between tickets and they are cared for and protected from the effects of time and weather it is neither here nor there. That they all get a turn is important even if they are decades apart. We are only custodians of these engines and they will be here long after we have gone. That they survive for future generations to enjoy is more important.
     
  11. TheEngineer

    TheEngineer Member

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    Yes your quite correct in what you say, we are only custodians of pieces of engineering, they serve best in working order, as for keeping them in good order whilst stored ??, does outside in the elements rank as being good storage and being well cared for, I think probably not as opposed to working .

    As long as any organisation has sufficient at any one time keeping the business going is a prime objective that means having stand by equipment not relying on all you have got, but most things deteriorate with storage unless they are inside and dry and secure if they are all well and good.

    If you read back in this thread currently there is not much MP availible , I was considering in my mind the possibility of fast track with external funds on the 2MT it was only a thought .
     
  12. Linesidephotos

    Linesidephotos Member

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    Just a further bit of info regarding 31874 and 31625 they both carry each others boilers . 31625 s boiler had a very large patch on the right hand side dating back to Southern days and this boiler was swapped with the better boiler from 31874 for 31625 to go main line.
    Incidently the reason for the boiler problems that persisted with 31625 following this swap was that 31874s boiler was slightly out of line along the barrel and whilst it had settled into the frames in 31874 it wasnt so happy in the tighter frames of 31625 .
    David .
     
  13. TheEngineer

    TheEngineer Member

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    Interesting the mention of "41312" gives silence and not much else.......... No one any comment then please ???

    I suspect not, sadly this is a bad thing in my book, when a thread goes silent.

    I would have thought this engine out of any, would have been a prime objective, for re entry to traffic for the MHR organisation.

    Is there some reason why not ??
     
  14. LN850

    LN850 Member

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    MHR have 2 yankee tanks and douglas which should be in service at some point over the next few years. If they are unavailable for footplate experience courses, oone of the larger locos can deputise.
     
  15. 34007

    34007 Part of the furniture

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    What is the latest on the Yankie import? There hasn't been much updates or progress on this. Isn't Douglas a loco that was Butchered from an Austerity tank?
     
  16. 34007

    34007 Part of the furniture

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    Possibly because this loco is in the queue with many others awaiting overhaul and with the current locos being overhauled? You have to remember that there is Canadian Pacific and Swanage and 80150 - Alot to fit in.
     
  17. TheEngineer

    TheEngineer Member

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    Thanks for the response from both of you, I note the content of your posts and previous ones in this thread by various people and your's and their observations.

    Its obviousto me the future work program of the MHR is fairly well established and the works very full, certainly so full, that a complete and fairly up together loco such as 41312 has no space in the program.

    My questions answered, all will become apparent in time. Thank you. It is yet to see how the MHR policy & plan might change over time, there apears to be policy change in swing currently. 80150 is a big challenge I can see what's there and what's misssing, thats a fair bit !!and a lot of heavy parts to make, I am not criticising its purchase , I think its a sound long term move.

    The two Bulleid's I do not know how much work they need but the MN is a big machine and needs some heavy work, that's the impression I get, so some people have got their work cut out, always assuming funds are there to sponsor the work and I guess we are talking about considerable funds.

    Best Regards and Thank You. TheEngineer
     
  18. twofnine

    twofnine Member

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    I am just wondering how long it will take the MHR to get 34016, 34105, and 35005 ready, and certificated for service. Bearing in mind how long it took MNLPS and Clan Line approx 8 years in raising funds; and complete restoration properly. Its not cheap, even without certification of Main Line running!
     
  19. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    I think it's already been mentioned on here that the funds are available for 35005's overhaul, so it's just a matter of time, rather than money.
    34105 has it's owning group, but I don't think it's ever been stated whether the MHR or the owning group will pay for the overhaul. It has been stated that the overhaul will start in approx. 2 years time.
    Without going over old ground and stirring up ill-feelings, 34016 is highly unlikely to be restored at the MHR unless an agreement is made for use of the loco after 2014, which is looking less likely as the railway acquires more locos of its own.


    Keith
     
  20. martin butler

    martin butler Part of the furniture

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    re 41312 as far as i know, there is no problem with the MHR and the owner its more of a case that there isnt the slot availible in the workshop yet but once the U and black 5 are out i dare say that Frank and colin will take a fresh look at whats in the queue, if she is sound mechanically and needs mostly boiler work ,whos to say that decisions wont be changed, as several have said, what ever is done next needs to be turned round within a year to 18 months 30075 isnt really that suitable for constant passinger work over the full line i would guess and unless the blastpipe problems with Douglas have been sorted niether is she? 76017 needs a complete full 10 year overhaul ,so whats going to be quicker to return to service either the standard 4 tank or the ivatt
     

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