Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Ropley has always had space when we've gone, don't be tempted to go to Alton though as you will have a very long wait for a heritage train to arrive ;-)

 

how did the group get the datum marks to line up ? were the new plates marked and drilled using the old ones as datum points, either on the floor, or did you weld on the new plate sections , then clamp in place the old plates to the frames and then centre mark, then drill the locating holes once you has drilled through and fitted holding bolts then use the old frame sections to mark out and drill the rest of the holes ?

 

Ah you need to join the Urie Loco Society to get chapter and verse on that kind of thing! Seriously the ULS StovePipe magazine is loaded with detail about the myriad tasks problems and solution overcome in getting the locos on the road to completion. MHRPS membership will also get you a lot of the information on progress of all the other locos too.

 

I can recommend Stovepipe, a very classy magazine. I was with Duty Druid the other week watching the cylinder being lifted onto 499...impressive stuff

 

Yep 92212 and 506 with 1125 shuttling. 08 and Toad at Alresford, Thomas at Ropley. Traction engine at Alresford, Fat Controller and "Rusty and Dusty" at Ropley

 

After putting in a shift yesterday atop the hill, I had what turned out to be a working jolly on the line today with me mucker ......

Yes we knew it was Thomas, but sometimes its good to escape our respective wives etc & have a good old chinwag!

After a good Brekkie in the West Country Buffet & a chat we decided to see where our troublesome trucks were, so we started off at Alresford & station hopped to Medstead...

It was good to see just how packed the trains were & Ropley was full to bursting with kids young & old, and the commentary that accompanied Thomas as he gave rides was worth the entrance fee alone!

On the way back from the up yard, we stuck our heads in the top corner of the running yard to see what the ULS were up to......

It seems they are not resting on their Laurels, as not only have the fitted the left hand cylinder & got 2 smokebox doors made, they now have a LSWR safety valve cover for 499! & for once. its my pic, oh & their CME told me to go & wind up my Ropley spy - but I left him alone, as a, I couldn't see anywhere to insert the key & b, he seemed to be having strong words with firebox stays a la Basil Fawlty...........

I wonder whether he'll read this?.......

Also, it looks like 50 027 edges nearer a return to service, as it was being worked on & rumblings of a human kind were coming from within the bowels, so thought it best to leave them to it.

Still, at the end of the day, we achieved what we set out to do & our troublesome trucks seem to be in good health....... oh & we put the world to rights!

 

Thoroughly enjoyed my day out with Thomas and it was good value as we rode a range of trains, my little ones loved the rides and activities and we had our first ever brake van ride.

Thank you so much to all the staff and volunteers who gave my little ones such a memorable day out.

Also a big well done to the ULS - 506 looked and sounded magnificent.

Out of interest - what are the economics of Days Out With Thomas? What are the terms and conditions with HIT Entertainment/Mattel? Also how come the Watercress can (presumably) afford to do it when most other railways can't?

 

MHR has a licenced Thomas "Look Alike" which must save them a deal of money. It also gets hired out to others.

It always seems an almighty cheek to charge someone for increasing the sales of their product. Rather a pity that two fingers were not shown ages ago.

 

That's how the franchising model works Paul. I don't think there is anything wrong with paying Royalties provided the arrangement is mutually beneficial, which it clearly is in the MHR model. Showing two fingers in that circumstance would be cutting off their nose to spite their face!

 

It reminds me of the old Chinese practice of "squeeze". Find something else to replace it. Some places have, with success.

 

Its all about the costs vs the takings, the MHR, as it happens to own its own, Thomas wont have to pay engine hire fees, so that's a great chunk off the cost, it has a well tested and perfected plan that also does not impact to much on the actual running service, so can transport the paying guests in large enough numbers quite easily, and that adds to the appeal, the Ropley picnic area is a ready made grandstand to watch the fun, especially as the layout allows Thomas to race the departing train as far as the bridge, possibly further now if the siding is cleared , and in between the trains then there is scope to allow footplate visits and shunting, so the MHR have fewer setting up costs, and more attractions than some,

 

The Thumper shuttle made a huge difference. It meant we didn't feel the need to rush for a train fearing an hour wait for the next one.

 

I must admit that I quite enjoyed my DOwT turns on Friday and Saturday. Working platform 2 at Alresford was a pleasant change from the tranquil nature of Medstead, though I was glad to return to the seat of all glory (the SI's office at Medstead) on Saturday. Neither day seemed unduly quiet, though I think the weather put some on-the-day visitors off.

 

We were going to be on the day visitors on Friday but the weather made us go on Thursday.

 

Quite right. Why should we make all those small children happy when it affects the sensitivities of a sour opinionated middle aged man?

 

Please get it right. The event itself does not offend me in the slightest although I know some who think otherwise. Avarice does though.

 

On whose side?

You seem to be objecting to railways (in general) having to pay to licence the Thomas "brand". Now, there are valid questions about the balance of risks and reward for both parties in the model, but your contention seems to be that railways should get it free. The current and previous owners of the Thomas franchise didn't develop it into what it is today for nothing, so they should be entitled to something for the marketing they have done over the years. Without the revival in the 1980s of the TV series, Thomas would likely be one of those forgotten characters of mid-century children's literature (anyone still reading "Blackberry Farm"?) - we might be able to promote cheap Thomas events still, but they wouldn't be the same marketing draw for families.

If the current model works for the MHR, good luck to them.

Tom

 

Sorry but that is not what I am saying in the slightest. The concessionaires are perfectly entitled to charge a licence fee. They need to keep an eye on how things are conducted for one thing in order to protect the brand. However the entire risk resides with the railway and I don't see why they should have to fork out as much as they do on matters not directly connected with Thomas.

 

Indeed, and I think that lies behind the reason many railways no longer have such events. But ultimately that’s a commercial decision for the MHR: if they are happy with the current terms, who are we to say they are wrong?

Tom

 

It appears you are either arguing against principle of licensing in general, or the particular royalty rate charged in this case but I am not sure which. If the latter then it is surely a business question for the MHR executives, who despite your concerns have reported a good return (and profit) on the event almost every year and I would surmise have better access to the P&L spreadsheet than you. If the former then I'm unclear why you object because the costs are clear and the gamble (or risk) is on your confidence and ability to realise the potential. This just feels like contrariness for the sake of it.