Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

I'm not the one to answer that, as its way above my pay grade, but I think @21B would be better placed to answer it.

 

There is a good breakdown on the MHR website where they explain.

https://preservation.watercressline...ure-and-how-you-can-help-us-continue-our-work

 

Yes but what are the ongoing unavoidable costs? That is what matters now

 

The ongoing unavoidable costs consist of; loans; leases (eg forklift); utilities; some taxation; creditors and refunds; essential contractors (trees still fall down for example); supplies for re-starting; payroll; bank charges; website; legal fees

The railway doesnt stop merely because the trains are not running.

£75000 is an average with allowance for the as yet still unknown costs of adjusting the railway to operate again. Some months it will be less. It may interest readers to know that it can cost £200,000 to run the railway for a month in a normal operating time when we have two trains running most days. I think sometimes that it is not widely appreciated what it costs to run a heritage railway and by extension how very challenging the present situation is for all boards and management teams.

In terms of what the money raised through the MHRPS will be spent upon, it is not for running costs. The money is to support the capital projects listed on the website because the company is spending the reserve it had gathered for essential investment, on survival. Rest assured the MHR will still be here in the future. If you donate you can be sure that the money will have a real lasting benefit because it will be used to secure the railway's longer term future by replacing track, repairing buildings or creating new visitor spaces.

Does this mean your donation is not essential? I would say no, you donation is just as important in securing the future.



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OK thanks, we have already donated and will do so again

 

You are welcome. It was a fair question and I am sure others have thought it as well. Thank you for your donations. I promise you every penny will be spent wisely.

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I'm surprised that no-one has yet enquired about a piece of missing text, at the beginning of the paragraph that starts with

 

For some reason a small part of the text didn't paste........ no idea why!!

Anyway, the post has now been amended & the missing bit is as folows - Covid19 has seemingly changed those plans......

 

Also, I think this is the link you need to donate.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1017284

 

I see the railway has produced some good YouTube videos over lockdown. The latest video Looks at S15 30506. Didn’t know 506 once run with a Drummond eight wheel water cart tender.

 

This is what it looked like in 1994. There's a gateway part way up the lane, it was a popular spot in the afternoon.

 

I seem to remember for a short time you were actually allowed to park on the autograss circuit on non race days. I guess there was for a while an agreement with the landowner.

 

I have been asked to post this, hoping that someone can help. The first stirrings after Covid-19, methinks.
"On behalf of the Railway, we would like to hear from anyone who can help, please. We have a project to attend to during lockdown, for which we would like to locate ex-Army 75lb/yd flat bottom rail. We are looking for preferably around 240ft of rail but any smaller quantity considered".
If anyone has a firm idea of the availability of same, they can PM me., and I will pass the message.
Thanks in advance.
Pat

 

Is the railway shop at Alresford open yet? Also if we visit can we leave a cash donation?

 

The shop at Alresford is closed and unlikely to open for a while yet.

Yes a cash donation can be made. If you PM me I can make sure there is someone to accept your gift.

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Has the railway considered starting the return to operating by running ghost trains between Alresford and Medstead on fixed days and charging an entry fee to see the operation. Run say a two train service selling a limited number of viewing only tickets on line only at say £25 each? Maybe open the field at Ropley to provide access there? I would definitely support such a venture.

 

A look back at a couple of Bluebell Locos gracing the Mid Hants metals back in 2006.
Sorry for the poor quality - a cheap 2006 point & shoot !


LSWR B4 - 96 - Normandy by Tim White, on Flickr


LB&SCR - A1X - 55 - Stepney by Tim White, on Flickr

 

In short yes. We have an idea.

Trains have been running a couple of times a week through lockdown. Yesterday we started the process of unpacking some of the steam fleet.

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From the same Gala but after dark, with loco disposal in evidence on Stepney.

 

Don't they look tiny compared to the Ivatt (is that 41312?), let alone the 9F.