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| A familiar friend returns to Hastings Miniature Railway | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 28 Feb 2012, 08:30 PM (1,544 Views) | |
| HMR-DAN | 28 Feb 2012, 08:30 PM Post #1 |
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General Dogs Body
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Hi guys. As you may be aware 'Uncle Jim' has returned to us at HMR. Lets face it, we couldn't keep it a secret forever! However, at present this is not necessarily a permanent stay. 'UJ' has returned primarily for an extensive overhaul to be carried out by RVM. Over the years it has grown tired and is now in need of some major mechanical work on the 1950's BMC engine (which lets face it got pretty used and abused when it was here before!) All credit to Stuart at Knebworth for keeping it going for as long as he has. Since leaving HMR, 'Uncle Jim' has undergone some good mechanical alterations already which have vastly improved the actual drive system, a new B&W gearbox has replaced the problematic open auto clutch and the even more problematic rubberized link plates on the output shaft which would break every time you stopped a bit sharpish! However, now the rest needs to be sorted. The BMC engine is now suffering from overheating (suspected head gasket) and is burning a lot of oil. Thankfully the oil issue is being caused by the valve seals so the head gasket would be done at the same time. Unfortunately, anyone who has had dealings in recent years with these engines will know that finding parts for them is nearly impossible! It is also a git to start from cold. Nothing new there! Thankfully we have a donor engine for spares and have now located the new parts we require. Cosmetically the loco needs some straightening out and a few new panels here and there, hardly surprising really, it had a head on collision in the 70's with meteor 7 (written off and used with meteor 3 to build midget at Knebworth). It then got smashed off the line in '84 by a van. It could also do with a rewire. All being well and good we should have it back to tip top condition in the next few weeks. Will it stay? Well that is currently undecided. It will certainly remain at HMR til the end of 2013 as this will be the railways 65th anniversary. As some of you have mentioned we recently built another locomotive named 'Hasty' which is with Stuart at Knebworth. We couldn't take 'Uncle Jim' for two years without giving him another in return. However it has been agreed that if Knebworth is to close at the end of this year we may make it a permanent swap as 'Uncle Jim would not suit his other line at Vanstone park. Although 'Hasty'is a good workhorse and proved popular over the half term it is a petrol-hydraulic so if it does return would either be converted to diesel or sold on. It may however make a guest appearance on the 65th birthday at Hastings on 5th June 2013. If the exchange is to be permanent we should know in the coming months. Hastings may, if the closure at Knebworth does happen may play host to some of the locos at Knebworth this winter but before you all start trying to offer Stuart money for them I believe he has no intention of selling any of them as they will eventually all be going to Vanstone. But as I say, at the moment, nothing to my knowledge has been finalized. I would also like to add quickly that RVM is thinking about building another locomotive (diesel/petrol hydraulic) with carriage set after the summer season.(We are running out of things to do now!) If we do this would be ready to go early next season for a reasonable price (unlike so many of the other manufacturers) so should anyone require a new train please let us know. We will cater for anyone's needs on size etc. However should you require a steam outline we would recommend a bobo style drive as they are less problematic than using coupling rods. Lets face it, these things need to work day in, day out. You don't need the hassle of bushes etc! I personally, as are so many other people fed up with seeing adverts for loco's for tens of thousands of pounds. They don't cost that much to build so why mark up the prices? Many thanks again for the positive feedback on the railways progress. Although I know most of you work the same times of year as we do if you do get the chance, pop in and say hello. It doesn't have to be in season, we are here most of the time. If you do decide to come out of season drop me a message and let me know. Dan |
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Dan Radcliffe Owner and operator of Hastings Miniature Railway | |
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| peterbryant | 28 Feb 2012, 09:48 PM Post #2 |
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Director
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Dan, Thanks for the post and update! It will be great to see Uncle Jim back at Hastings again after a time, hope to see it at the 65th celebrations! Please keep us updated with your restoration progress on her, sounds like she went through quite abit at Hastings! Thanks for explaining the situation with Knebworth as well - good to hear that the stock will find a good home whichever way things go. Peter |
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Peter Bryant Forum Admin | |
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| DavidColley | 29 Feb 2012, 12:25 AM Post #3 |
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Instigator of Waving.
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Which BMC engine is it, Dan? AFAIK all the parts are still readily available, most off the shelf if you know where to look. David |
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Check out the website, Sherwood Forest Railway plug, plug, plug..... | |
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| HMR-DAN | 29 Feb 2012, 11:35 AM Post #4 |
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General Dogs Body
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It's a 22KB. BMC 2.2 diesel. |
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Dan Radcliffe Owner and operator of Hastings Miniature Railway | |
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| Milky | 2 Mar 2012, 10:36 AM Post #5 |
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Driver
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Dan, you have a PM |
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| HMR-DAN | 30 Mar 2012, 12:16 AM Post #6 |
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General Dogs Body
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Ok guys, It is now official. Uncle Jim will remain at Hastings. Having spoken to Stuart at Knebworth he has now confirmed that Knebworth will close at the end of this season. As i mentioned before the stock will go to Vanstone park but as Uncle Jim is not well suited for the line we have made it a permanent swap with Hasty. However he has said he may return Hasty for a visit to Hastings next year for the 65th anniversary. Unfortunately this now means I have got to build another one like Hasty to keep as we all liked it and half my drivers (typically women!) are annoyed that I have let it go and have now ganged up on me telling me to build another! Women! |
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Dan Radcliffe Owner and operator of Hastings Miniature Railway | |
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HASTY_UNCLE_JIM_AND_RUDDLAND.jpg (6.07 MB)




1:54 AM Jul 11