RETURNING CAN PAC TO THE ALPS!
The restoration of the Mid-Hants Railway’s Merchant Navy 4-6-2 No. 35005 Canadian Pacific (CP) is more that ‘just’ a locomotive overhaul. It’s bringing wider benefits to the railway and the community in the form of securing skills for the future; educating and engaging with a range of groups; recording the past; and returning to service not only the line’s flagship steam locomotive but also authentic wooden-framed Southern Railway carriages.
A key part of the £2 million project’s legacy is education and helping to make people who may not have the MHR on their ‘radar’ to be aware of its existence and hopefully inspire them to not only travel on the line, but also support it either financially or in terms of practical help as a volunteer.
In 2015 the MHR was awarded £895,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund, now known as the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) towards the total project cost. The balance is being met through volunteering, fundraising and donations to the Mid-Hants Railway Preservation Society.
Nicknamed ‘Can Pac’, the locomotive is currently being worked on at both the MHR’s Ropley engineering hub and also at its birthplace in Eastleigh Works, thanks to the assistance of Arlington Fleet Services, the site’s present day operator.
Chassis
The chassis is being overhauled by a team of dedicated volunteers at Eastleigh Works.
“The volunteers work whatever days are expected to get stages completed. I couldn’t do what I do without them,” enthused Becky Peacock, the project supervisor.
On June 1, 2019, No. 35005 was put back on all its wheels. “It was akin to a gigantic Tetris game, with the expert level unlocked,” recalled Becky.
“Trying to lower a gigantic locomotive on to the bogie and trailing truck at the same time and then to get two pins through two very small holes was no mean feat.
“It was an amazing feeling. It was a pivotal movement. With the help of Arlington Fleet Services, it was moved into another building. Several days later, CP moved out into the yard again – this time as a Pacific. The bogie and trailing truck had been overhauled at Ropley.
“We’re grateful that members of the Arlington team help as much as they do, including the use of overhead cranes.”
The tender is currently under overhaul at Ropley, where a considerable amount of rotten platework has been replaced, while a new dragbox awaits fitting. Volunteers have been cleaning and painting the tender frame.
Tender
“The Urie Locomotive Society volunteers are really good – they’ve been doing some of the riveting for us on the tender
