Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

The railway has a duty of care also, both to employees and customers. If we run services this weekend and that provides encouragement to people to make what is at the end of the day an unnecessary journey that is probably not a responsible thing to do. There are multiple weather warnings out that cover the next few days. The railway is in an area of amber warning (or was last night). IF the railway was required to provide a true transport function that could not be achieved any other way, (such as all roads impassable and food running out in Alresford, but available in Alton) it would potentially be worth the risk of running services. That isnt the case at present (and probably wont be).

 

Look at preserved railways on You Tube this weekend, it will be much warmer and safe from the elements.

 

The SVR is advertising that public services and FEs will be running tomorrow and Sunday.

 

Maybe they should look at the recent weather forecast for central England.

 

Good luck to them. It's a bit too much of a trek for my fix this weekend though.

 

Anybody know the likely two locos for Sunday as the railway is sort of on my way back from a CME stewarding trip.

 

76017 i would think not sure if 45231 still there

 

Tomorrow night's RAT looks to be fun, with the Ivatt the booked traction...... but with a box on the back - wonder if they'll give it some 03 shovage?......

 

I think it will be a 33, not an 03, so you stand a better chance of keeping time ;-) 76017 on the Alresford set during the day and the Belle in the evening

 

Can't we have Thomas? Either are as suitable as each other for a very full load 6.

 

Not my problem - I won't be there.

Though Gronk shovage would be a new twist for the RAT - the Belle had it a few years back!

 

Be careful what you wish for...........

 

Very unlikely, it would really have to be a final last resort.
Unlike The Belle, the RAT is used by a number of it's customers as a way to get to Alresford, spend a couple of hours there, and then back to Alton (no I don't understand why you would pay more for the beer in Alresford than on the RAT, but it happens every week).
So we need something that can maintain the timetable and at 15/18mph, the gronks can't.

 

What do you think the Gronk hauled Belle was?.........

Any way - you'd probably end up just trundling up & down as far as Butt's, via the Meon Loop..........

But, you forget the Gronk can do full line - see here https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/30462248492/ taken during the 2016 ASG - with a fair load behind it!

 

Indeed. Steam ban wasn't it?

My point was that some customers on the RAT expect to be able to get off after the first leg and get back on for the 4th leg, just like a service train, whereas on The Belle the whole raison d'etre is to be one the train for the whole time (otherwise you'd miss courses).

Indeed, they can, but not quick enough to handle the required timetable.

Anyway, the RAT was 41312 and 33 202 last night, with The Belle being hauled by the Std 4.

 

Your Roving RAT Reporter writes... Of interest last night at Ropley were:

Cheltenham in light steam outside the wheeldrop, so presumably being prepared for service trains in the not too distant future.

Southern Railway Schools Class - 925 - Cheltenham by Tim White, on Flickr

If you look closely you can see that the 9F is currently a 2-8-0.

British Railways Black 5 - 45379 & Standard 9F - 92212 by Tim White, on Flickr

Thomas is looking clean and shiny, looking forward to being very useful this Easter

Thomas and British Railways Standard 5 - 73096 by Tim White, on Flickr

The RAT's loco last night - Quite a rare haulage, only the second time that the 2MT has hauled the RAT as far as I can remember. Shovage was provided by 33 202.

British Railways Ivatt 2MT - 41312 by Tim White, on Flickr

And finally, The Belle's loco for last night

British Railways Std 4 - 76017 by Tim White, on Flickr

 

The Mid Hants is running a Gin train on May 5th. Seems to have gained a lot of likes and comments on FB.

Claims to be a "one off" but if it is successful, I wouldn't be surprised to see it to become a regular fixture 3-4 times a year.

https://www.watercressline.co.uk/product.php/113/the-gin-train

 

Gets my vote. I wonder how many Gin’s you could consume over two round trips.

 

Only one way to find out

 

Will there be a car named 'Gin Palace' or Mothers' Ruin?