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Watercress Line closed 19th & 20th Jan

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Steamage, Jan 18, 2013.

  1. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    I've just been told that the Watercress Line will be closed this weekend, 19th & 20th Jan, due to the weather conditions. I was rostered for Ropley 'box tomorrow, so I'm quite glad I don't have to brave the A34 in the early morning. I don't suppose we'd have had many passengers, anyway.
     
    Steamage, Jan 18, 2013
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  2. Hampshire Unit

    Hampshire Unit Well-Known Member Friend

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    It was a bit tricky in Alresford and Winchester today! I was expecting a bit of Lion action to be fair! The last time this happened was in December 2010 when a day's Santas were cancelled. With the new one train service it is no great loss.
     
    Hampshire Unit, Jan 18, 2013
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  3. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    From memory they also cancelled the Freight train weekend in January 2010. I would think most preserved railways would be closed this weekend.
     
    73129, Jan 18, 2013
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  4. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    It is a shame that the thumper isn't being used to provide a 'Two Trains in Steam' service off peak when there is actually only one in steam. Does anyone know why not?
    I would have been tempted to get down to the MHR this weekend, if the snow was still around, for a few winter photos.
     
    LC2, Jan 18, 2013
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  5. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    I am led to believe that the Railway was closed because the Class 50 is out of action, thus not able to assist if anything got into trouble on the gradients.

    Regards
    Chris:
     
    cct man, Jan 19, 2013
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  6. Nexuas

    Nexuas Well-Known Member

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    My daughter and I were going to come down, I had checked the timetable link direct from the google search not going via the home page to see if a service was being run this weekend, and there was no mention of services being cancelled, it was only after checking the loco roster that I went to the front page of the website, so saw the note about train services being cancelled. We only live just outside Alton, so we were not making a long trek, just fancied a bit of steam train action in the snow...
     
    Nexuas, Jan 19, 2013
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  7. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Why do I get the feeling that the MHR has lost out this weekend?

    Regards
    Chris:
     
    cct man, Jan 19, 2013
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  8. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    I would think the main reason why the MHR is closed. Would be loco crews and station staff getting to the railway and getting home again. Anyone that knows the railway will know how steep the road is up to Ropley station.
     
    73129, Jan 19, 2013
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  9. Widge

    Widge New Member

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    Absolutely the correct decision - Alresford car park was like an ice rink this morning. Felt sorry for the poor lady who turned up to ask about her sons volunteering and promptly fell flat on her backside.
     
    Widge, Jan 20, 2013
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