MHR Open Weekend 19th & 20th September 2015.

Nearly time for this event again (where has the last year gone?).

Motive power for the three train service over the weekend is currently expected to be:
850
925
34007
Hampshire Unit

The impressive demonstration freight train will also be in use over the weekend and there will be Wagon Department tours at Medstead.
The various departments (Loco/Boiler/Carriage) at Ropley will also be open with tours also available.

 

Had an excellent day today at the MHR. Perfect weather conditions and three locos on top form. Will try and get some digital camera pictures up tomorrow (phone pic of Nelson on the freight below). Couldn't attend the AGM though so can anyone who did put up anything of interest or send me a PM if possible?

 

I was disapointed that the boiler shop wasn't open as advertised on their website, no tea available at Ropley and I didn't even see the new cattle wagon.

Lord, I'm getting as miserable as some others on here. Weather was great though

 

A few other people weren't impressed that some parts of the Railway were shut. It didn't bother me much as I had brought my own supplies but the Ropley Shop and tea/snack cabin really lost out on a fair bit of money today as they remained locked up.
Also the ticket hut and info hut at Alton both stayed shut all day. I did hear the TTI telling passengers they must have tickets as a few didn't but if they had joined at Alton how were they supposed to get them? Were they available in the shop?
Medstead must have done well with snacks and drinks. I bought a great cup of tea and enjoyed it in the Indian Summer weather
I guess the boiler and carriage departments were shut as they are hard at work on 41312 which is due out for the Gala in just over a month.
The cattle wagon was sitting in the yard at Medstead.

 

Here is my short video of the three loco's in action yesterday. 34007 sounded very nice and back on great form:


I haven't had time to sort out my pictures yet.

 

Had a great day yesterday at the railway. Nice to see progress everywhere, but not sure the Ivatt will be finished by October gala. If it is it will be a close run thing.
It was disappointing to find that there was no facility to buy a drink at Ropley, why was everything closed up? The closure of the boilershop was also strange as surely the viewing gallery access is there to allow visitors to see what's going on without falling foul of H&S regulations.

Anyway apart from these small gripes, it was great to see the freight train hauled by 850 and it certainly looked impressive.

Unfortunately I couldn't get to ride behind Cheltenham, but seeing as 34007 is being withdrawn soon, that can wait for another day.

 

Looks like something must have failed as the MHR FB page and twitter said they were unable to operate the Goods train today.

 

Wadebridge was due to haul the goods but it failed with reverser problems I believe

 

Nope

 

Could have sworn Wadebridge failed on Sunday :/

 

From what I hear the event was well attended. A shame the freight train didn't run on Sunday.