Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Was yesterday's train carrying the photographers enjoying the pick up goods train event, the first Heritage Railway passenger train since lockdown began?

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

 

Good question, I suspect it may have been.
And hauled by such a wonderful loco it was great to have Lion out and about.


50 027 - Lion by Tim White, on Flickr

 

One or two shots from the Plandampf:

An unusual shot. 41312 is leaving the Wagon sidings at Medstead after shunting.

Ivatt 2MT - 41312 by Tim White, on Flickr

Processed to give the feel of the end of steam, 41312 approaches Ropley from Medstead with what could be an engineer's train.
Note the work on-going on the pit road.

Ivatt 2MT - 41312 by Tim White, on Flickr

Shunting at Alresford

Ivatt 2MT - 41312 by Tim White, on Flickr

 

The Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society trips around Scunthorpe Steelworks started at 10am yesterday.

 

A few shots from Yesterdays Plandampf - a most enjoyable day, even from an organisational point of view, I think!

I know I was knackered when I finally got home last night - but happy in the knowledge, that all (it seems) who attended the event enjoyed themselves & some even want to do it again!.........

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50054022578/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50054599551/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50054595611/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50054594381/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50054593056/in/photostream/

 

The MHR website states services resume 11th July and includes a full timetable and detailed instructions including tickets must be booked in advance . However no link to make bookings

 

Telephone bookings will open tomorrow. The ticketing system for online bookings is still being built but will be ready shortly.

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

 

Thanks. Looks like a well thought out plan. Any idea of prices?

 

Pricing is essentially as previously advertised for the railway for this year. The only significant difference is that compartments will be available for reservation at a minimum of a family ticket plus the reservation fee of £20. Compartments will seat upto 6 all from the same household or linked household group.

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

 

Took me a while to get my head around the timetable. Looks like if you start at Alton they take you non-stop to Alresford, then back to Ropley for a break, then back to Alresford again then non-stop to Alton. If you start from Alresford it's something similar. Seems a bit bizarre but I guess that since they can't offer unlimited travel on whatever trains you like, they are trying to make up for that by giving something a little more than a simple round trip. I guess the service requires two trains, each doing two trips.

 

Exactly that - you get one and a third round trips, with a break at Ropley, where there's enough room for refreshments etc while still allowing for social distancing.

 

Is that to say that all fares are as previously advertised but with the additional reservation fee, or does the additional reservation fee only apply to compartment bookings?

 

The reservation fee mentioned applies only to compartments

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

 

Much shunting at Alresford yesterday, stuff briefly seeing the light of day after a little while in the headshunt. 08 and Lion in use...
Meanwhile, staff and volunteers are looking forward to 11th July!

Happy to be back by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

Shunting at Ropley by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

Do you really think that a £20 booking fee on top of a £40 ticket is going to encourage people to come back to the railway?

 

When the two of us decide to go I think that would be a good option

 

The fee applies only to compartments. A little like the difference in ticket price between first and second class on some railways. Other ticket options exist.

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

 

I think if you have a family unit of 6, the price equating to £10 per person is very reasonable. Even with just 4 persons travelling, a price per person of £15 and the relative peace of mind that a compartment will give a family, is worth paying in my opinion.

 

In that case, why not call it a supplement. A supplement suggests you're getting something extra, which in this case is your own compartment, as opposed to being charged a fee purely for making a booking.

 

Call it whatever you like.

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk