What happened to 34007 Wadebridge 7th/8th June?

[Sun Chariot]

Hello all. Hoping a knowledgeable Watercress Line soul can shed light on this:

I stopped by the Mid Hants, between Medstead and Ropley, to see the action from the nearby fields. Saturday morning, I saw 34007 Wadebride complete one out 'n' back and then it was replaced with 50027 Lion. Just come past the same way today and seen Lion on duty again.

34007 was, admittedly, leaving some impressive lineside fires on Saturday; is that why she was removed from service? Otherwise, what was the reason?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Train wasp]

Have a read of this thread on Nat Press forum. Should give the answer your looking for.

http://www.national-preservation.com/threads/mhr-war-on-the-line-8th-and-9th-june.64651/

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thanks for the link. Crikey, being able to 'wobble' the motion rods by hand certainly sounds wrong. Wadebridge romped up the Ropley-Medstead grade, on the 11:06 off Alresford. On her return from Alton, the crew stopped her 200 yards from where I was stood - I couldn't see what they were inspecting, though. It all makes sense now.