Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Some very nice news has just been seen!
https://twitter.com/Watercress_Line/status/1105075905603485697
Combined with news of 506's coming along nicely, I am very happy indeed!

 

Sorry, but for those that don't have Twitter could you please enlighten?

 

From Twitter


ANNOUNCEMENT* We're delighted to announce Ex-London Transport Pannier Tank L92 is operating this weekend (16th & 17th Mar) as part of our standard travel service, courtesy of the Worcester Locomotive Society & South

 

Spotted this on the MHR Loco roster at lunchtime. Very tempted to come down as we didn't manage to get a run behind the Pannier during the Gala as we focused on the Yankee Tank.

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You could have, you know, followed the link...
Twitter doesn't force you to sign in to view posts (unlike some forums (not this one)).

 

Can anyone confirm the Alresford departure times for L92 for this coming weekend.

Cheers

 

Turn up & find out, Lee.

 

Erm... I don't have Twitter either, so naturally assumed that anyone else who doesn't have Twitter could view the same post...

 

Unless of course your PC is blocked from viewing Social Media links as this one is.

 

I therefore apologise Sir, for the thought hadn't crossed my mind - In future I will indicate what the post is about as it would probably be easier anyway.

Today was good, seemed to be profitable but decidedly windy! Nice to see L92 out and about again though, and I noted that the S100 was still sat at Ropley. I also hear that L92's out on the Belle tonight so I look forward to seeing some photos of that.

 

Having had enough of almost being blown over & soaked up at Medstead on Saturday, I ventured down to Ropley to seek relative shelter & to see what was going on..... thus I happened upon some likely lads barrowing a ment mixer, which meant only one thing - brick arch! But what loco was it?.... 76017? Nope, it was on the pit road. 925? Nope - it was 30506 that was having its brick arch installed & as I understand it, not at the 1st attempt (though I stand to be corrected) !

The backhead still needs all the gubbins fitted & there was a ULS stalwart doing stuff in the smokebox......

Pretty pic of the cab, but not the firebox, as I couldn't get up there.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/32471797307/

I found 30506 undercover replete with tender, though not attached, as I'm led to believe the painting of the loco was due to start today........

Oh & here are some pic's of the days goings on - why we elected to venture down Medstead bank to phot the Pannier in high winds & driving rain is beyond me - maybe the brain had frozen by then!!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/32471804367/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/47361191172/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/46498754545/in/photostream/

 

Some observations from yesterday......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/46600745405/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/47463514142/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/33639417358/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/46600741625/in/dateposted-public/

 

The folks from Heritage Painting are doing a grand job on 506. They posted some pictures on social media at the weekend.
I wonder if she will be launched back into traffic at War on the line or will they wait until the Autumn Gala?

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I very much doubt it!

 

506 is coming along nicely.....
I took a peek on Saturday evening whilst the RAT was out, with 76017 in charge

RAT rolls out of Ropley by Arle Images, on Flickr

 

Not sure what is left to do on her.
I read in one of the Mags that 92212 is now running to the end of this year so I thought that the pressure was off the folks working on 506 as they were hoping to get her out before the 9F is withdrawn.
The MHR news does report however that 925 requires a fair bit of maintenance work/repairs so I guess that 506 will be needed to take Cheltenham's place in the loco roster while the work is carried out.

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Why wait until the Autumn Gala. That would mean a loss of nearly a year on the boiler ticket. It has been stated before that the ULS want to get as much life out of the ticket as possible.

 

For those who have not heard Barry Eden passed away over the weekend. Barry was one of the key early members and part of the footplate team on opening day as well as being a society chairman. RIP.

 

I remember Barry from the early days when he was working tirelessly on 31806 and 31625. (I was outside in the rain endlessly chipping rust of the boiler of Tangmere!). Perhaps a man who did not suffer fools but he was a very very clever engineer whose skills can be seen today in many preserved and new locomotives.

 

On reflection this was a bit of a silly question but in my defence I was as high as a kite last night after having had some work done at the dentist.