You must be kidding

PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
edited February 1, 2011 in Journeys
Took a trip to the Mid Hants Railway Sunday and saw this engine parked in the siding.

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The railway website categorizes this loco as awaiting overhaul:wink. I wonder what consitutes an over haul as it looks more suited to be categorized awaiting re-build.:rolleyes

This is a Class 4MT Tank engine, built at Brighton Works in the late '50s and sent for scrap in the mid '60s. What a dreadful waste!

This is the condition this once fine machine has been reduced to. It is very typical of the starting point for many of the preserved steam locomotives which are running on our lines today.

Here are a few more views to show the task ahead.

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(ISO 3200) Cab area - no floor or roof or......

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(ISO 800) Remains of smokebox

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(ISO 3200) Remains of cylinder.

You have got to admit that the preservationists (mainly volunteers) rise to a challenge. This will be restored to full working order eventually. It will cost a lot of money but the backers will re-build it in stages until all the work is complete. Each stage will likely be a separate funding project.

I took a couple of videos of a Black 5, built in 1937, hauling a passenger service on the day of my visit.

Running round its train at Alresford

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8wnyEwGZIA

Departing from Alresford for Alton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX1MUbai3s8


The lighting was poor (low winter sun) so please excuse the quality of these videos.

Comments etc welcome as always.
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