Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Bet that turned a few heads. Had hoped to journey up to see it myself but was waylaid with other plans. Fireman Will said it was an interesting one to fire, having not done much out of Ropley in near on 20 years?

 

Having enjoyed the previous Sunday behind 41312, on seeing that HE 3781 was running the following weekend, I booked for a second Sunday at the Mid Hants.

After enjoying a run out of Alton behind the Austerity, I then went linesiding, mainly to get some sound recordings. Despite only being on load 3, the last train of the day was making some racket when climbing over Rookwood Lane (pictured). The loco could be heard all the way to Four Marks and the fireman certainly seemed to be enjoying himself! Hardly had the noise died off, when 41312 followed her (him?) up the bank, again to some decent soundtrack.

The only downside was the lack of passengers. Despite the Alton rake being reduced to load 3, I was the only person in the half brake at the Alresford end of the train.

 

76017 definitely did work over the S&D and I've seen photographic evidence, but I'd have to resort to the books to confirm dates.

There were two Eastleigh turns a day working Bournemouth - Bath trains and return. These were almost always worked by a Class 4 mogul, although it wasn't unknown for a T9 deputise on rare occasions. Any Class 4 moguls seen on line were almost exclusively Eastleigh engines.

Hope that helps.

Paul

 

It could well be close to that. I started my stint on the platforms at Ropley in summer 2003, and never forget that No1 was on the service trains on my first day because of a shortage. I think 35005 had failed so 73096 had been called up for a Catherdrals Express turn, and 34016 was haveing firebox repairs I think? I'm pretty sure 92212 was out of traffic possibly having all that work done to go main line and was 41312 on loan to the Bluebell back then on spoil trains? Real chance I may me muddling up some dates mind, but never forget seeing No1 working the trains that day alongside the DMMU.

 

Thats me sitting by the water crane!

"Not Thomas" leaving Alresford by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

No.1 was running on my only trip to the Mid Hants which might have been around then. My wife was at Wimbledon with my mother so my father and I set out to the Mid Hants. it was top and tailing a with a diesel and there was a DMU running as a second set.

Having driven a fair way I was a bit disappointed at the lack of steam on the day but failures etc happen. I think I was more upset by the fact that we were not notified when buying tickets at the booking office and then later in the day discovered there was a suitable steam loco running but it was doing light engine runs as the driver experience loco. I have to admit I was of the view that the loco's should have been swapped so regular punters could have had a steam hauled return trip.

 

Tricky decision, that. Some families will have been delighted to find Thomas unexpectedly working their train while the folks who'd paid serious fees for a session driving a big steam loco might have been as disappointed as you were had their expected loco been swapped. There isn't a right answer and on another day a different operations manager might have made a different choice.

 

Just been phoned up by the MHR office informing me that the diesel turn is cancelled next week due to lack of staff.

 

Just had same missed call, was the reason I was going to go just steam now it seems.

 

Took me long enough but I finally made my first visit to the MHR today - a recent house move means that I'm within driving distance. 76017 put on a good show! I thought that the prices were quite reasonable, me being a solo traveller on this occasion.

For those curious about forthcoming motive power, 41312 and Cheltenham were spotted in light steam at Ropley so that might give a clue.

 

I understand that this weekend's locos are 41312 (Alresford start) & No. 1 (Alton) and that the afternoon trains starting from Alton on Sunday have been cancelled, so the Signalman at Medstead on Sunday will be able to go home a little earlier than expected.

 

S&DJR no. 53808 to move to the Mid Hants for the remainder of its current boiler certificate https://www.sdrt.org/images/files/news/joint_press_release_240720_final.pdf

 

Looking forward to a few trips to Hampshire

 

any plans for an S&D week end ? 53808 on the freight , 41312 on a local , 76017 on a passenger , and a recreation of the pines, with 53808 non stop on the sunday on 8

 

This now gives us the opportunity to ride behind a Somerset & Dorset 7F hauling southern stock over the Southern Railway.

For me this will bring back memories of summer Saturdays in the early 60s.

I can see the Mid-Hants becoming my second home. <BJ>

 

That is really excellent news. Great for the S&D folks who will be getting some much needed money in the bank and the MHR who will hopefully get a few more visitors to travel behind the 7F (of course obeying Social Distancing). How about an SD event on the S&D?

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might be an idea for next year, as the line has 76017, that is known to have worked the line, ivatt2 tanks worked some of the branches in the later days, and of course now it will have the 7f , so that's 3 locos, without having to hire anything in, would s15's have ever worked freight out of Eastleigh onto the S&D? and i suppose they could ask their friends down the road in Swanage to loan them a Bulleid

 

It's a shame that 92212 has completed it's duties. That was another S&D locomotive. <BJ>

 

The hope is to do an S and D themed gala in October 2020 covid permitting.

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I suspect that Covid will delay this, but it's nice to know that the intention is there to do an S&D gala asap.