Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Outline details are in the press release:

We look forward to 53808 joining the running fleet during August and operating alongside another locomotive 76017 that also ran on the S&D.

In welcoming the 7F to the line General Manager Simon Baggott said “ We are delighted that the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust have chosen the Watercress Line as a base for their locomotive. The 7F is such an iconic design and its hill climbing capabilities will be of great use. The Watercress Line and the Somerset and Dorset not only shared steep gradients, but both were railways operated by the LSWR, and both were single track main line railways. We hope to use the 7F to help tell the story of these rare, but important lines. Our gala planned for the 16th 17th and 18th of October will naturally now have an S&D theme."

 

I was thinking more of BR unlined green for a period, then BR lined green.

After all, a certain 9F looks very nice in that livery. (Notice I refrained from a copper chimney cap, but on the other hand.....)

 

Whoops wrong button.

 

My steed for today!

 

And a decent number of passengers from Alresford this morning!

 

GWR green with a copper safety valve?
(not entirely serious).

Good luck with the restart. Don't live that way any more, but when we next visit my parents we may try for a visit.

I remember camping with my dad on the bank behind Ropely (I think) back in the early 90s (before the Alton extension anyway). The Dining special went past about 4 times. Happy days. Linear scrapyards as far as the eye could see.

 

What are the seating arrangements in the open coaches? We would like to go but I am concerned about safety. Also my wife has issued a banning order which will only be lifted if I can convince her it’s safe. I am three score years and fifteen with some health issues though reasonably fit and not overweight.

 

If you have health issues you should stay away, i know its a temptation but i know what i would do, you should listen to your wife.

 

It was alternate bays when I went (First Sunday back - afternoon from Alresford).
But the best way to check is by calling the information office - I believe that it has re-opened.

 

I can see the dilemma for Don. A railway carriage is a confined area, irrespective of screens and compartmentalisation.
At the commencement of lockdown I was the one, being in my eighties, that was nervous about shops, crowds and other enclosed areas. However over time, due to my wife watching the news reports (I did not but saw all I needed to know on the BBC web site), she became more cautious. She is a few years younger.
The upshot is that Morrisons deliver most grocery needs, and on-line shopping has increased.

 

Let's hope this 7F manages to venture out a big further than 53809 managed back in 2016...

 

53809 looked nice at Ropley
53809 on shed by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

This is the first post of yours that is "tripe"

Sent from my SM-A105FN using Tapatalk

 

A good looking loco the SDJR 7f, looking at the photo its not hard to imagine what the 0-10-0 Lickey banking locomotive looked like.

 

Yes probably as I usually do but I may go lineside instead and send them a donation equivalent to the fares. Loco roster not up to date . Anybody know what is rostered for Saturday?

 

53808 was the WSR loco that hauled the West Somerset Express RTC charter I went on in 2018 and what a performance she put in. I also went behind 53809 at the Bluebell when she was there for a few months.

Might to visit the MHR again at somepoint to see what 53808 does over the Alps as that should be impressive.

 

We opened the Alton section in 1986, so it may have been longer ago than you think ;-)

 

May 1985, actually. So long ago, where did the time go?
Pat

 

Jeez, on the plus side, that would make me less than 10 at the time, so it's stuck pretty well in the memory as a concept if not an exact memory.