MHR Official Website Loco Shed pages comprise the original steam railway docusoap website, updated several times each week. Follow our volunteers as they work to keep steam alive - not dead in a museum! Watch over their shoulders as these wonderful machines are restored, maintained and run; as replacement parts are made and fitted; as MHR carries steam enthusiasts, families and footplate students faster, safer, more stylishly, month on month. Visit us, see, hear, and experience the thrill of powerful steam locos working really hard for mile upon mile up our long, steep gradients.
September 2003 - January 2004
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19th January 2004: How many members of the Building Department does it take to fix a new fence post? Apparently Dennis (in his Benny hat) can fabricate the panels faster than they can be painted with the necessary five coats Report and two photos (Ropley, 18th January 2004): David Charlesworth |
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| On the second day of the 2004 season,
a bright and frosty morning, Jim Russell in driver mode re-starts one of
the DMU's engines for the 11:20 departure
Report and two photos (Alton, 18th January 2004): David Charlesworth |
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13th January 2004: Possible SWT / MHR linkup - Alton Herald report
David Snow responds (13th January 2004)
This became a lively topic of correspondence
6th January 2004: #828 coming to MHR
A meeting took place at the beginning of December
between representatives of MHR and Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society
Ltd (ERPS) to discuss terms under which Maunsell S15 #828 might be moved
to the Watercress Line. Following the meeting the MHR supplied a draft heads
of terms agreement to cover the assessment phase and a draft long term operating
/ hire agreement. With a few minor amendments both were broadly acceptable
to ERPS, and their board gave approval within days. The heads of terms agreement
was signed before Christmas and covers the stripping and assessment of the
loco's boiler by ERPS members, assisted from time to time by MHR volunteers
and paid staff and the expected subsequent overhaul stage. MHR will be paid
at its normal third party rates for any paid staff time and for materials
and consumables used. This agreement includes a termination clause exercisable
by either party. The operating / hire agreement is still subject to final
discussion in due course of a few key numbers.
The loco is expected to move to Alresford early w/c 12/1/04. Once the boiler
has been assessed an estimate of the cost of overhaul of both the boiler
and mechanical parts can be made. MHR may bid for any work required if it
wishes and may also agree to contribute towards the cost of such repairs
and any contributions will be offset against future hire costs.
It is planned that #828 will occupy part of the space within the 'running'
shed at Ropley, and that the assessment work will start soon after the loco
arrives. No indication of timescale for the work can be given until the
assessment phase has been completed.
The MHR is very pleased to welcome members of ERPS with #828 onto its site
and we look forward to a long and mutually satisfactory relationship between
the two organisations.
David Snow
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22nd December 2003: #73096 hauls a Santa Special up into Medstead & Four Marks (Movie, 1.6 MB, 22nd December 2003): Tony Wood
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| 20th December 2003:
The Farnborough Mummers gave a performance today at Alresford The fiddle player is our very own Ruth Cooper Report and photo (20th December 2003): Chris Cornell |
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| Horace Ward sent B&W photos of #73096 at Victoria ready
to depart for Winchester, 18th December
2003
Bodmin was out on the main line 9th December 2003: excellent photos from Chris Davison and Horace Ward |
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Ropley station was full of steam locos on Thursday 27th November 2003 whilst
a mega-shunt was in progress.
Henry O'Dwyer photographed them in the late afternoon
sunlight
Alton Herald reports on Mid-Hants Railway Sponsored Walk of the Line (15th November 2003)
27th November 2003: Black Five moved into Ropley Loco Shed - the first time since withdrawal that it has been under cover!
20th November 2003: Jim Russell reports on MHR signalmen's NEST and MID 2003 activities:
"All Pat has to do now is twist the ends together and plug it in"
| 2nd November 2003:
Daylight Countryman approaches Romsey at 1423 this afternoon Photo (2nd November 2003): Andrew Cameron |
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| 24th October 2003:
Jack in Alresford stationmaster's
office today
Photo (24th October 2003): Tony Wood |
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Chandlers Ford Phoenix near East Grimstead. You can almost hear that lovely chime whistle Photo (19th October 2003): Andrew Cameron |
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12th October 2003: Steam crane DS414 was used to remove roof, cylinder heads, pistons, liners from Class 27 diesel in Ropley Yard today
Bus Rally 2003 report on our Bus Rally event
Webpage reporting our Days Out With Thomas in August 2003
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9th October 2003:
Dawn at Ropley today made nice reflections on A4 #60009 |
| Mike Burke brings a shine to 'Douglas' (nameplate removed for Gala and
yet to be replaced)
Three photos (9th October 2003): Tony Wood |
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5th October 2003:
- Stephen Bayley (design commentator) in today's issue of The Independent On Sunday
Photo (5th October 2003): Henry O'Dwyer
Letters about MHR Steam Gala and many more photos
| Author Marguerita Best joined footplate crew for a run-round
at Alresford this month. 'Steam Driven' (available in
our shop £12.95), is a refreshing change from run of the mill gricer
books, and captures steam railway magic from a new viewpoint.
*(in the Old Goods Shed Edward Knight Centre at Alresford: shop@watercressline.co.uk) |
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15th September 2003: Ken Grinstead was at the MHR Morris Day event on 7th September 2003 and sent photos: One Two
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| Sunday morning, Ropley
Photo (14th September 2003): Ben Zehetmayr |
14th September 2003:
The Severn Standard excursion (13th Sept.) was hauled to SVR by Standard Class 5 #73096, and home by A4 #60009 Union Of South Africa
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Two photos (7th September 2003): Henry O'Dwyer |
Bus Rally 2003 report on our Bus Rally event
Days Out With Thomas in August 2003
| The Watercress Line, The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire,
England, SO24 9JG Tel 01962 733810 Fax 01962 735448 info@watercressline.co.uk |
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The Watercress Line's own quarterly journal Mid-Hants News is available FREE to all Society members, or £2 plus 50p postage and packing to non-Society members. |
