Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

A quiet & frustrating day atop the hill, yesterday - the wind & chill playing a major part in it!

Because of the above, the planned painting of the southside planks of the two plank were scuppered.

Attention then turned to the London end Sealion up the Meon..... cue much degunking & oiling, but seemingly, for now, to no avail as the hand brake wheel still firmly refuses to budge!!!

Still, it was nice to see the trains well patronised - a couple of pics of the kettles in action.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50389342316/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50389517672/in/dateposted-public/

 

Anyone know if the Mid Hants news edition No.175 Summer, has been published yet? I've contacted the membership secretary during lockdown, via the link on the MHR website and agreed to have a digital copy in the future going forward, to help the railway save on postage costs, however as yet I haven't received an email link to download it yet?

 

It has been printed and is in envelopes, just awaiting posting. The delay has been partly awaiting the date for the AGMs , partly COVID related as in only one person stuffing envelopes.

 

Steve

Thanks for the update. I was wondering when it would arrive on my door step.

 

Thanks very much for the info. The explanation makes perfect sense.

 

How long is 45596 staying at Ropley as I noticed today that she is rostered for a photo charter on Friday 23rd October (£99 a ticket) as shown on the MHR interactive service calendar. Will she be off straight after the charter or hauling any additional services?

With Covid-19 restrictions getting stricter up North will Bahamas be able to leave the KWVR in the first place (i. e. will her support crew be affected?)

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As regards support crew, then the main problem will be in socially distancing when preping, or disposing the engine, but others seem to have managed it, But just how badly effected by covid are the support crew members home towns, might some not even be allowed to travel? once on the move, then, i can't see any problem, as they have a coach to themselves, whats the ruling though with visiting support crews, do they have any special restrictions once at Ropley? such as a requirement to wear masks, record temperatures etc, to ensure no ones showing symptoms .?

 

Apologies for bringing the mood down again. Had a bad day today (been having quite a few of them lately tbh). The miserable situation with this virus and the shambolic handling of it by the Government throws up so many questions. One of my sister's friends works in a Hospital up North and tonight she said things are getting very worrying with the Covid-19 situation in many Hospitals across the country again. I guess this is why we had another Boris briefing today.

I guess that the 45596 folks and the MHR have planned for most outcomes during this strange time.


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I am wondering if it is safe for the Gala to go ahead. Whilst virus cases are very low in the south Hants area a lot of participants will presumably be coming from high risk areas where the incidence of the virus is up to 20 times higher

 

Unfortunately Don, everyone's going to have to take peoples word that they are not knowingly suffering from the virus, when they turn up, the risks are being controlled as far as possible, but nothing is ever risk free

 

Presumably everybody will need to be checked in. As part of this process everybody could have their temperature checked. Handheld devices do this in a few seconds.

 

https://www.watercressline.co.uk/product.php/175/autumn-steam-gala/e141497e2b2231b0b14c6afd4d62fabb
Specifically:
- We may ask you to have your temperature checked when visiting the railway - if you have a temperature then you will not be allowed into the event

 

Thank you for adopting this suggestion. Every little helps!

 

I think more a case of great minds thinking alike.

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I see this week’s YouTube video on class 205025 has already had over a thousand hits. Watching the video I see the unit is having some body panels replaced. I wonder if there’s a chance the unit could be painted in to BR blue with full yellow ends?

 

A gathering of four hardy souls, or should that be nutters?......, atop the hill yesterday, hoping & praying the weather forecast would turn out to ring true......

The first part of the morning was spent as signed up memeers of the tea (and coffee) drinking society, having a good old catch up as the wet stuff came down!

However, it did start to ease off, so in trepidation, work comenced...... one party disappeard under the model railway PMV to remove the vac cylinder, as a problem had been reported with the brakes, and checking everything else had found them to be in good order, so it had to be the vac cylinder......

The other party set off down Bennett's to begin the somewhat arduous task of doing PAD exams on all the wagons with split boxes in preparation for the gala...... not fun in the wet stuff, especially when nuts decide they want to put up a fight!!!

The guys charged with removing the vac cylinder eventually persuaded the damn thing that it did want to come down, and once clear of the vehicle, it was taken apart to reveal the ring was out of kilter, amongst other things, this has now been taken to a home workshop for overhaul.

After that, they set about trial fitting the roof hoops in the gunpowder van, whilst the other party carried on with the PAD exams, by the end of the day all the north side split boxes had been done, leaving the south side for midweek/next weekend..... and in the GPV, a plan was worked out as to how to fit the roof hoops, and bring the roof back into shape!

A couple of pics of the well loaded passing trains.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50417137576/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50417138461/in/dateposted-public/

 

Dave, looks like you even found some blue sky in the "Hampshire Highlands". Grey and gloomy some 20 miles to the south of you at sea level!
Andy

 

Always blue sky at the Mid-Hants.

 

I'll have a pint of whatever you're drinking
Pat (Just dried out after Sunday)

 

On Green King Abbot ale at mo, 4 bottles so far, Lovely.