Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Good coverage of the Watercress Line on local news at lunchtime and last night. Item comes at about 20 minutes in:

BBC iPlayer - South Today - Evening News: 04/12/2020

Interviews with GM and Richard Bentley Ops Manager (and driver!) too!
Not really my thing, but excellent publicity and hopefully will bring a few quid into the railway.

Andy

 

From the videos seen it looks to be a fantastic spectacle who ever dreamt up this image, well done, and its a very media friendly way to let people know you're still open for business.

 

53808 and 506 in action tonight

Yes, the caption (Driver) for Richard did cause a few titters chez Hampshire Unit. The two trains looked spectacular viewed from the hills around the line

Steam Illuminations near Alresford by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

Booking available on line. Seats selling quickly though.

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Also https://metro.co.uk/video/heritage-railway-decorate-steam-train-thousands-leds-2306814/

 

That bit on bbc news cropped up on my motorcycle internet thing today. Generated sympathetic interest. Good media cannot be underestimated..m

 

Looks like there was good coverage in the National Newspapers today of the MHR event. Pictures of 506 hauling the nightime specials in the i and The Telegraph.

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One from this evening's trains, featuring 53808

53808 and Steam Illuminations leaving Medstead and Four Marks by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

That's a cracker Steve, thanks for posting. Andy

 

All i can say is, WOW!!!

 

What would Clayton & Fowler think of it if they could see it today?

 

I suspect like everyone else... wow

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what it needs now is a pair of evil red eyes on the smokebox, that can be made to move, as it its looking for its prey and a mouth with large teeth

 

Is it making us money?

 

I give up what would they think?
Oh, you don’t know either do you?

 

There's been alot of negativity about the Train of Lights on various railways by enthusiasts on various Social Media. Not my cup of tea the lights, but I can't understand why others are moaning if it makes the railways alot of money...

 

Whats the alternative? Its a bold reimagining of a seasonal attraction, God knows, we can all do with a little light in this the bleakest of the seasons, when its Dark and cold, i happen to like it and think its something that could be worked on .

 

Anything that brings in cold hard cash can’t be a bad thing certainly with what’s going on at the moment.

 

We are all having too.much fun bringing a smile to people's faces this winter to care over much for negativity.

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Annnnnnnnd.................... we're back atop the hill!!!

Just a small gathering of like minded nutters yesterday & not surprising, given the weather was not what was forecast - it Rained & rained!!

Still, there were jobs to keep us going & warm......

Fettling up the hangers under the model railway PMV, for the vac cylinder for one...... the start of removal of the roof hoops in the gunpowder van, that having been trial fitted before lockdown #2, are now settled in - too well as it turns out, as they were absolute bugga's to get off their mountings!!! But the job of getting them fit for purpose has started, with ali oxide being applied.

Elsewhere, the doorskins were measured up in rediness for the wooden frames being made up. Also what's left of our running fleet in Bennett's was inspected - the majority have gone off for a change af scenery to Alton...... the lowfit still needs a new buffer, as well as the axleboxes needing a pad exam & the tube & pipe wagons were given the once over & deemed fit for an FTR, bar replacing one vac hose!

It seemed rather strange that in December, there were no Satan's trundling past full of happy families.........

BUT, that was rather made up for later, with 47 579 stabling in the yard as Thunderbird after completing line checks AND then the spctacle began, with 53808 hauling the ECS to Alton - impressive even in daylight!

Though, seeing the light show as 506 came up the bank with the 1st up service was something else - even the locals decended on the footbridge mob handed!!!

These trains are utterly & brilliantly bonkers!!!

My efforts of the comings & goings at Medstead yesterday.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50685843803/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50685842078/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/50686683482/in/dateposted-public/