RMweb Gold PhilH Posted August 29, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 29, 2010 This week the Mid Hants Railway's Black 5 was lit up for the first time (as a complete unit) since 1965. It will start acceptance trials on Tuesday of this week, and should enter service on our Gala weekend. Having seen this being progressed over the years I can say it is a fine restoration job, and is a credit it to Syd Weaver, Martin Buckell and their 'Thursday and Sunday' gang who have been responsible for the bulk of this job. Also attached is a photo of Tornado at Ropley. All photos were taken by John Barrowdale, and are used with permission. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted August 29, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 29, 2010 The black one looks delightful - smashing job. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 The '5' is a lovely restoration job, but tell the lads to reposition the power marking '5' to midway between the lining and the running number..... Larry G. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted August 29, 2010 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 29, 2010 A small video here. I take your point about the classification marker Larry. Without getting into a discussion about this small detail I have to say knowing the knowledge within the group and the attention to detail they have shown on this job from start to finish I wonder if this was a quirk of this particular loco. I shall try and find out (without treading on their toes of course!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Pannier Tank Posted August 29, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 29, 2010 In my early sixties spotting days 45379 was a 1E Bletchley Engine; often working the first morning Cambridge to Bletchley Passenger. I look forward to seeing her again soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 The black one looks delightful - smashing job. I do agree Mike, it looks a first class finish to it. Fingers crossed it'll be running at some point around half-term week when I'm back down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixie Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 I had a good look at it on Friday and I couldn't believe that the railway has only had it for about 5 years - the speed and quality of the restoration is very impressive. What's the immediate plan with 80150? I saw it a few months ago, derailed and looking sorry for itself at Barry... looks like quite a challenge ahead! Pix Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglian Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Looking lovely – favourite engine of mine the Black five and this one would have run within earshot of my home. Does that tender hand rail need paint? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Purely out of interest, it was a 2A Rugby loco in the early 1950s until at least 1955. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold griffgriff Posted August 30, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2010 It's great to hear that the MHR has some good news to celebrate on the preservation front - I shall charge a glass for her - she looks a beauty - well done to those involved:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.A.C Martin Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 A Black Beauty of a workhorse, and no doubt about it. A credit to you all down at the MHR - never mind the green one (for a change), the black one looks lovely Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Thanks for posting these, Phil. One of the Green Engine's team sent me a breathless message to the effect that 45379 was a show-stopper, and she wasn't joking: that looks like an outstanding restoration. Well done to the MHR gang for making it happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devonbelle Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 I am in awe of the finished state of the Black 5. It looks superb. Having worked on the Avon Valley for over 25 years, I got used to seeing it many times in the 80s and 90s, when it was based at Bitton. Two items on my wish list - 1) I need to get to the MHR soon for a spin behind it, 2) it would be lovely to see it storm out of Bitton station on 6 maroon mark 1s ;-) Very well done MHR - working through diary now to fix a visit. Devonbelle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted August 30, 2010 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2010 For anyone wishing to visit the MHR in the hope of seeing this, or any other particular loco, the loco roster is published here. Of course this can be subject to change due to operational reasons (aka problems and cockups) I don't doubt that, all being well, 45379 will be slotted in here and there for running in prior to the gala. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluex5 Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 What a lovely restoration, absolutely jaw dropping. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 5, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 5, 2010 I am in awe of the finished state of the Black 5. It looks superb. Having worked on the Avon Valley for over 25 years, I got used to seeing it many times in the 80s and 90s, when it was based at Bitton. Two items on my wish list - 1) I need to get to the MHR soon for a spin behind it, 2) it would be lovely to see it storm out of Bitton station on 6 maroon mark 1s ;-) Oh, so it's that one?! I remember it at Bitton as well... Stunning job, simply stunning! There's something about the colour quality of this photo that makes it look a bit like a shed scene from the 1960s: Fantastic! Is it going to be main-line certified, Phil? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted September 6, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 6, 2010 Looking positively amazing - I NEVER saw a Black 5 in that colour in service - grime and grot were the order of the day. Great to know that another hiker has been brought back to life - as I've said on many occasions, they really were the epitome of the do anything and everything steam loco - from covering a 40 on the Royal Scot to a local pickup goods. Be interesting to see how quickly she develops the clank that all Black 5s emit once there's any wear in the motion and axle boxes, and which was so much a part of their appeal, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
signalmaintainer Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 What a lovely restoration, absolutely jaw dropping. Ditto. Another Black 5 back in running condition and looking superb is a wonderful thing. Congrats and thanks, MHR! Hope to see it in person someday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted September 6, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 6, 2010 As has been well said above - this looks a stunner. A tribute to sheer hard work and a lot of passing-the-hat, no doubt. Although a Southern person, I would rather see a dozen elderly locos from other railways restored to this level than any replica, even of a Southern prototype. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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