Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Thanks for the video, good to see things moving on the railway. You know, without the cosmetic splashers the Hunslet looks a bit more E2-esque, thinking of the original model for Thomas....

 

Latest Mid Hants YouTube video is now available to watch. This time it’s all about 80150.

 

Is it still 30925 & 30506 this weekend, and does anyone know which is on which diagram? Thanks in advance

 

Yes, 506 Alresford , 30925 Alton

 

Fantastic, thanks. Booked on tomorrow - looking forward to it.

 

I can confirm that approximately 40 minutes ago I booked 30925 going through Medstead to take the Alton set.

 

Is the S&D gala going to happen? There is nothing in the website calendar for it

 

What a difference a week makes....... last week we were being baked alive & strangled by the humidity & this week, it was much more temperate atop the hill - perfect working conditions, except for one thing..... mizzle!!!!!!!

That put paid to any outside painting jobs, so a slow leisurely day with plenty of banter was had, whilst glossing of the underframe of the Maroon CCT nears completion, areas in the gunpowder van, that were red oxided last week, were put into undercoat & the cross members put into 1st gloss - elsewhere, lumps taken of the two plank last week, were cleaned up & red oxided.

Also, some brake blocks on one of the troublesome trucks down in Bennett's were changed, and some remdial work has been discovered on the SR Pillbox brake - we spent time inbetween banter formulating a plan how best to do it, as the bit that needs replacing, is in the most awkward of places!!!

It was also nice to see 506 & 30925 out play for the 1st time since lockdown & the trains were well patronized!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50232767282/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50232785297/in/dateposted-public/

 

I would hope that it will be rescheduled to next year. Scientists and doctors are currently predicting a big spike in cases of covid-19 in October due to secondary school kids going back in September. Latest research suggests teens are spreading the virus around in communities.

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Enjoyed a trip this afternoon with a cream tea. Well organised and very friendly as always, and had some lovely sun just as we rolled back down to Alresford.

The afternoon trip from Alton didn’t appear to have anyone on, not sure if it was training or similar. Loadings on our train seemed good, certainly in the coaches down our end of the train. Will try and get back again this season.

 

It's listed on the 'Events & Experiences' drop down menu. https://www.watercressline.co.uk/product.php/175/autumn-steam-gala

Although given the lack of info on the page, I would class it as 'currently not cancelled' rather than 'going to happen'.

 

A little patience please. We are finalising a few things before an announcement in the next few days. The intention is to operate a gala as there is a feeling that one might be appreciated. The format will involve an allocated seat, but with the locos swapping sets you will get to travel behind everything. Numbers likely to be restricted to maintain safety, and as a result a slightly higher price than in previous years, but a very exciting visitor in addition to the 7F.

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53808 in steam today. Test runs tomorrow.

News thanks to Andy Forster and wsr.org <BJ>


SDJR 7F 2-8-0 NO 53808 OUTSIDE MINEHEAD SHED WITH A WARMING FIRE ON 17 AUGUST 2020, READY FOR SHORT TEST RUNS UP AND DOWN THE YARD NEXT DAY. WORK UNDERTAKEN HAS INCLUDED A VALVE AND PISTON EXAM DURING WHICH VARIOUS BUSHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH A VALVE REBORE, NEW VALVE HEADS AND RINGS.

© ANDY FORSTER

 

Some rather unexpected but welcoming news. - Bahamas for Autumn Steam Gala: https://www.watercressline.co.uk/product.php/175/autumn-steam-gala

 

When will tickets be available?

 

Wow! I like it! Just when I think I've seen them all up comes a loco I haven't seen. Not sure it fits the S&D theme does it (?) but I'm not complaining

Just one question though - they say the gala will be limited to 500 people. Is that 500 per day or 500 over the 3 days?

 

My guesses are as good as yours....

 

Probably the whole gala. Not 100% sure

 

Great news about 45596 visiting.
Hopefully she might be able to stay for a little while longer either side of the Gala to enable as many people as possible to travel behind her over the Alps as tickets are very limited for the Gala event.

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There's plenty of evidence to show that Jubs hauled the Pines Express, which fits what the MHR say on their website (Theme: 'The Pines Express')
That being said, I don't know if any ever went south of Bath?