Good afternoon,
I thought I’d start this entry with the latest news on Canadian Pacific’s future. As those who regularly check the internet will know, the Mid Hants Railway were pleased to announce that it has been awarded a first-round pass by the Heritage Lottery Fund for its project “Canadian Pacific – engineering a future from the past.” The project will restore the railway’s flagship engine 35005 Canadian Pacific back to steam, having been moved to Eastleigh in 2011. There will also be two wooden framed carriages restored during the project and opportunities for 11 new members of staff, including 8 technical people; 6 of whom will be apprentices with a two year period of training. In addition, there will also be opportunities for work experience available to local unemployed youngsters and engineering students at Eastleigh. The project is currently progressing its plans to apply for a full grant, which will be submitted later this year. If the second round application is successful then actual restoration work should commence early in 2015 and be complete by the end of 2017.
Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 steam locomotive 35005 ‘Canadian Pacific’ speeds through Chelmsford station on the ‘Alresford Adventurer’ railtour on 4th November 2001. (C) Stuart Axe
The other big news is that Mid Hants did look at putting 35005 back on the main line but after detailed consideration the MHR concluded it wasn’t financially viable. I am actually quite glad she wont be on the mainline. I think she will make more money visiting other heritage lines, especially with Clan Line and the soon to return British India Line on the mainline (even add Port Line to that) there wont be much mainline work for CanPac. Back to the stripping down work on the beast, when I arrived at Alrington after seeing a brilliant performance by Black 5 44932 at Eastleigh (click here for the photos), I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the yard crane had been out again resulting in CanPacs front and rear bogie/truck/pony (depending who I was talking to at the time) had been removed. Our job for the day was removing the springs from the rear pony which did provide a great before and after shot.
The nuts at the bottoms of the spring rods came off nice and easy, expect for the last one which required 3 of us pulling a spanner to get it loose, but in the end we got it off. Luckily the rods were lifted out very easily but the real challenge was removing the springs which didn’t want to budge, but after a lot of pushing and prodding they came out. The next job was simply labeling up all the components with what it is and where it came from. The whole task of removing the springs was a simple job made hard by parts putting up fights but it was one of those time where everything you learnt previously has become second knowledge and you can get jobs done without much help. It just goes to show any novice (like myself) can get involved with railway preservation and be moulded into a good member of the team. Anyway time for a few photos:
The now removed front bogie resting between the main body and the rear pony.
Canadian Pacific is starting to look quite sorry for herself with lots of her now missing
The rear bogie… really should of moved the broom before taking the photo.
The boiler, ash pan and the cab on the wagon outside the shed.
A diary entry wouldn’t be complete with a picture of CanPac from this angle… there is just alot less of now to photograph.
If you are thinking about getting involved volunteering somewhere in the heritage world I would recommend you give it a go. Once your in you will never escape, there is a huge range of opportunities out there everything from footplate crew, carriage restoration (like GWSR Alex), permanent way team, railway guards even people working in the shops.
The Mid Hants volunteers on this project have dedicated an amazing amount of time and energy to Canadian Pacific’s stripping down, we just need to get the funding in place to get the restoration started. The quicker we get to £100,000 the quicker we can get this beast thundering up the Alps hauling passenger trains again. As I have mentioned before, the boiler work alone is expected to exceed £100,000; so anything you can give will be gratefully appreciated, no matter how small you think it might be.
Please click here to contribute towards the fund via secure online payment.
Both links take you to the Mid Hants Railway Website which is where you can find out more information on how you can help. Thank you.
Don’t Forget to check out the Brookes Castle – Volunteer Diary to catch up on previous posts!
Thanks for reading. Simon
Loco Yard 
