Mid-Hants Railway Loco Shed

Recent News

Recent News from Ropley Motive Power Depot: showing work-in-progress of interest to the steam railway enthusiast
Reports and photos by your webmaster, or by others where acknowledged

Follow our restoring of heritage steam engines from Barry wrecks to high performance, mainline certified steam classics

12th June 2003: With Bodmin's inner firebox plate welded in place, Andy now is replacing ...
	... the foundation ring corners
Meanwhile, now that #73096 has passed it's annual boiler inspection, John Dunkerley was putting his formwork to the test, constructing a one-piece brick arch from refractory concrete. This is a new departure for Ropley; previously we have made individual 'bricks' and assembled them in the firebox to form the arch. We (JD, Uncle Albert at the mixer, and two labourers) moulded the arch in situ in about the time it would have taken to assemble made bricks. JD reckons the formwork will even fit the Ivatt.

12th June 2003: See also
45-ton steam crane

	Keith Loughlin replaces plugs after the annual boiler inspection of #73096
... and was later in the smokebox refitting more plugs Three photos (12th June 2003): David Couchman

Unrebuilt Bulleid Battle of Britain Class Light Pacific 92 Squadron comes to MHR in early September 2003 Letter and pic

3rd June 2003: The inner firebox section of Bodmin was tacked in place by midday today, and Mac, Andy and Spud were busy in the firebox preparing to weld it in place. Then there'll be a few hundred stays to fit
Three photos (3rd June 2003): Andy Netherwood

3rd June 2003: Roger Ventin was hammering away at the cab of Bittern and said he was surprised at the extent of rust between the components of the cab roof, and at the damage it had caused. Graham Varney has been looking preoccupied over the past few days whilst engaged in major improvements to the big shed doors.

29th May 2003: Dave Pallett was working on he middle cylinder of Bittern. The outer cylinders should be back soon Several of the brake air receivers have been installed on the tender Photo (29th May 2003): David Couchman
Andy has drilled all the guide holes for stays in the new inner firebox plate for Bodmin, (see also Clive's report below). Duncan has painted large outside sections of the NNX coach, and soon its bogies will be replaced with others from renovated stock.
29th May 2003: Clive Holliday writes: Quite ground-breaking work for Ropley in the shed today: First three photos show Andrew Netherwood flanging the firehole door opening in Bodmin's new inner door plate prior to welding into position. He is assisted on the gas guns by Spud Murphy and Keith Loughlin Fourth photo shows the middle cylinder for Bittern after arrival back from D & M, where it had new liners fitted and was finished bored. Four photos (29th May 2003): Clive Holliday More about Bittern below, and here

24th May 2003:

"Standard 5 being lightly steamed for tomorrow's Daylight Rail Tour. When I was down at Ropley I was lucky enough to get a tour of the loco shed by Bubs, and I saw Bodmin and Bittern in pieces; it was great!"

Report and photo (24th May 2003): Stephen Newell