Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

The bad weather may have had an effect. But seems this weekend went well and earned some income for the MHR.
The loco also gives an impression for non train enthusiasts of what the London to Scotland "Flying Scotsman" fast express steam train was like at it's peak, which helps the loco's popularity.
Eventually more fast mainline railtours might replace the restricted 25mph local events as more get to see the loco in action.
But well done to the MHR for the event and good to see steam trains restored to Alton again.

 

…. with an Ivatt tank engine pushing like mad at the back?

 

Did the tank stay attached all day?

 

Spoke to one of the Flying Scotsman drivers and as an express loco it was hard to keep under 25mph so the Ivatt might have been helping it regulate the speed?

 

So, how do the crews of assorted A4s, Kings, MN (to name but 3) classes cope?
Pat

 

I've heard this said about many express passenger locos on heritage lines, that sometimes keeping them to 25mph is a challenge in good conditions but in this instance I'm wondering if it's more a case of FS' crew being more used to mainline running and thus not so good at sticking under 25mph.

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It'll have Mid Hants crew driving / firing with an NRM rep in the cab, so doubt this is the case

 

The crew are from Rileys

 

Other way round, as I understand it - FS crew with a MHR conductor

 

Perhaps more likely that it has difficulty keeping its feet going up the hills at that speed. When on the West Somerset a couple of years ago it was regularly banked from BL up to CH.

 

Always interesting hearing the authoritative comments on NP that say diametrically opposite things. Not sure I really buy the comment about the Ivatt being there to hold the loco back, though!

FWIW, when Flying Scotsman visited the Bluebell, which has similar gradients, she coped fine without a banker (Bluebell crews), and had no trouble running at 25mph. Equally though, that was April and this was February: so, given their specific knowledge of the line and likely troublespots, it would be entirely understandable if the MHR decided to add a banker as an insurance, particularly since such operational decisions have a knock-on impact on timetable, and therefore have to be planned well in advance. Better to have a banker and hold an event under brilliant blue skies on dry rail, than not have one and find you have a week of downpour.

Tom

 

Yes. The return run from the Meon Loop back to Alresford is doubleheaded with 60103 leading 41312. The same thing happened on 14th February with 76017 banking and double heading with 60103.

 

S15 506 was slipping quite a bit on Saturday when we travelled behind her. A very cautious run from Ropley to Medstead after she started to lose her grip.

 

Not sure about the similarity of gradient comment, but otherwise Tom isn't too far off our thinking. The issue is the 1 in 60 from Alton tender first in winter on an line that in places can be very slippery. With a loco that doesnt have back sanders on every driving wheel this is a challenge. The Ivatt is therefore there as insurance. Nobody would thank us for a big delay.

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I stand corrected - assumed it was the same everywhere it went!

 

So is the plan to run with the Ivatt banking again next weekend?

 

Yes it is. It looks rather good and means four in steam which is rather nice

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The railway now has a new General Manager:
http://preservation.watercressline....nts-new-general-manager-to-drive-line-forward

 

Five - 60103, 41312, 506, 30925, 76017

 

Excellent choice. Simon is very well qualified.