MHR - Undercover?

Could the long siding at Ropley going towards Alton where the loco"s are stored not be covered, if the was no higher than the field i can"t see there being much problem, i know there"s cost involved i did see similar some years ago on a railway in the 70"s up north somewhere it might have been the NYMR can"t be sure though, when i have been there on the road bridge looking over the MHR i always think surely they could erect something there to protect the loco"s.

 

In addition to the Swanage Railway Trust's works at Herston, the SR also has undercover storage for some of its heritage coaches off site for very much the same reason you state; keeping them undercover until such time in the future as work may start on them.

 

Anything to stop a carriage shed being built at the north end of Alton?

 

Apart from the embankment narrowing and so there not being that much space and the ownership being with NR, no. I don't think this one is too viable.

The siding where the locos are currently stored at Ropley is where I was suggesting a shed might be possible.

Off site storage poses a few questions. 1) transport to a fro. 2) cost and availability of suitable storage. 3) it isn't on the railway so working on the equipment is definitely out, unless the space is suitable for use as a workshop in which case you've just changed the parameters for the search for the property, and the complexity of managing it. Not insurmountable, but preferable to be self contained I think.

 

Simon, I still think that a carriage shed and maintenance area in the cutting south of Alresford is a viable proposition though long term and an expensive one if the truth be known.

It would certainly free up space in the station area and the service carriages could be put to bed quite easily down there.

Ha anyone ver looked at this in a serious mode in recent times?

Regards
Chris:

 

Melon Valley branch has room for a couple of covered sidings ?

 

I can't see the Meon line being used for stabling any rolling stock in. The area would be a target for vandals. There has also been an issue with vandals in the Meon loop and I'm sure a new shed would become another target for them. I also hear a new housing estate is about to be built between Butts bridge and the old Meon line. So another good reason not to build a shed with in that area.

 

How about farnham carrage sidings , plenty of room there, assuming its not now a housing estate

 

Farnham sidings are used to stable 450 & 444 units. It also part of Southwest train care depot. I hear at weekends the place is jam packed with units.

 

Regarding the carriage shed in the cutting south of Alresford. Not having the money to execute the idea, no I don't think that it has been looked at seriously for a while. I have concerns about access in the event of a fire ... not show stoppers, just questions, but it is one of the areas we will need to take a look at when it comes to more covered storage.

My understanding of the developments at Alton are that the area between the A31 and the road that parrellels the start of the Meon Valley is that this area becomes the new leisure centre. The housing is the opposite side of the Selbourne road on the hillside. There is also housing development to happen on the Treloars Hospital site, and in the long term I imagine the old/current leisure centre site may also become housing.