Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

On your MK1's does your coaches still have working ETH, or was that all taken out at some past overhaul I seem to remember both systems still in place, when i used to be on the railway, but of course the ETH, was never used as far as i know, If railway's are going to need to rely on diesel traction, more because of rising costs etc, then at some point, especially in early, and late season, trains are going to need to be heated.

 

glad you enjoyed it, so did we on the 7F

so what happened was there was a small fault on the Saint from the previous night that needed fixing before the service began. 506 was going to stand in. Then 506 to as found to have a broken spring. There followed a huge swap around. The 7F went to Alton instead of 2999. The guys worked hard and managed to get on the back of the first up service from Ropley.
It was very slippery last night in places. I think a variety of factors meant that after the 47 initially ame off, it was found prudent to put it back on.
Hope that helps a bit.

 

2999 did very well on Saturday in very icy conditions, kept to time all evening. Seen here on the first return to Alton

Saint at Arleside by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

Is there a loco roster published? I'd quite like to have a decent ride behind 2999 even if it's going to be quite psychedelic!

 

The roster hasnt been updated for a bit but the link is Watercress Line Loco Roster

 

Come on. It's GWR, it was built for tricky conditions.

 

But not for crew comforts; that's certain.

 

I think the excellent adhesion of GWR locos is because they were actually heavier than the diagram said — see discussion about “King” axle loads passim

Tom

 

That doesn’t explain why they all grip better than their equivalents from other railways. The U is an awesome bit of kit and very modern and refined, but it doesn’t grip like a 43xx. The S15 is utterly fabulous, but it doesn’t grip like a Hall. And the 52xx behaves like it has a very sophisticated traction control system. I was looking forward to the Saint on Sunday, but alas the various tribulations meant I had the 7F. Mind you that’s not really a hardship at all. She’s a little tired now but what a machine. Hope I get to drive it after an overhaul.

 

Almost as if the GWR was built for climbing hills.

 

Keeps them on their toes.
Too much Southern comfort.

 

Put you on the footplate of a Hall for a hour or two in pouring rain and I think you'd find the Bulleid Pacific rather attractive...

 

Nice advert for Steam Illuminations on The One Show tonight

 

nope not for me. The S15 is very similar to the hall in crew comfort. I would take either every single time over a Bullied, unless perhaps I wanted to haul 12 to Bournemouth from Waterloo.

 

Funny how you always seem to get on a Bulleid on a piping hot summers day and an S15 in the freezing depth of winter. I like both types, but not all the time.

Peter (who is half expecting an S15 on the snow clad NYMR on Friday)

 

The One Show, 14/12/2022: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001g5ls via @bbciplayer

From 17.25 onwards.

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

Alresford tonight

Purple Patch by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

And so dear reader.for once when four hardy souls gathered atop the hill yesterday, it was a 'balmy' 3 C that is because for once, we congregated at lunchtime and with no intention of doing battle with the troublesome trucks!
Nope, we gathered soley with having a day of fun...... namely a BBQ, followed by a fish supper and rounding things off with a trip on the steamy lighty train in the BY behind 506 - we did get some funny looks from the PWay guys when they enquired as to what we were up to!! Who says it has to be hot to have a Barbie?...... we enjoyed ourselves and had a good feed, as well as window hanging in the BY The only thing missing was a good ale, but that was put right once we all landed back at our respective domiciles late in the evening!

A few pics from a 'mad' but enjoyable day......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52571417143/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52571335975/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52571417638/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52570886711/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52571418173/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52571161219/in/dateposted-public/

 

Another cracking set of photos Dave. Thanks so much for keeping us up to date with the mysterious world of the 'Troublesome Trucks' this year. Have a good one and see you on the other side! Cheers, Andy

 

I like to think of myself as a serious steam enthusiast so have little time for Steam Illuminations and things usually. However, I mentioned Steam Illuminations to some friends and they seemed very keen to go. So last night I took a party of 12 people on the 6.15 train from Alton. I have to confess that I actually enjoyed it - the light show was fun, the music a bit crazy and the jokes from "voiceover man" truly awful. Most importantly though I got my first run behind "Lady of Legend". I was most impressed - it charged up Medstead Bank in the rain without slipping once. It would be awfully nice if the railway could keep it for a bit longer until the current loco shortage is relieved. Not that any of the other passengers seemed to care what was on the front - I didn't try telling them the convoluted tale about how the engine came into being.
Anyway, good news was everyone enjoyed it and together with the 4 other people who couldn't make it last night but went on Sunday instead, that's 16 tickets worth of much needed revenue.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!