Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

In push-pull mode yesterday pm departing Ropley

4TC leaves Ropley by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

What’s it on and I’ll have a look.

 

For anyone at the diesel gala today

Limited availability of carry outs, 4 pint container for £12 (Art of T)

see Helen at The Tea Junction at a Ropley.

 

A cracking few hours at the gala yesterday. The event looked to be well attended with a good mixture of enthusiasts and families. Trains were well filled and everything (whilst I was there) ran to time. I gather there were a few issues with timekeeping later, but didn't affect me!
I always enjoy spending time at M4M and yesterday was no exception sitting back at the London end of P2 watching the coming and goings! Even had a complimentary fly past by the Red Arrows; why I never took a snap, I'll never know as they could be heard coming for several seconds!
I had a lovely pint at Ropley at lunchtime and enjoyed sitting in the sunshine listening to the 'Hoover' take off for M4M with the background 'chunter-chunter' of the Class 25 going onto the shed; really took me back to the '70's! The 'beer tent' is definitely worth repeating!
Thanks to all at the railway for making a grumpy old man relieve his spotting youth for a couple of hours!

 

No working party atop the hill yesterday, as the majority were hell bent on a days box bashing, so..........

If you can't beat 'em. join'em.......

Some pics from a days ballast yomping with @Hampshire Unit - all the way from Alresford to Wanders & back to Ropley - I reckon we must be mad!!!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51274072823/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51274633894/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51274078478/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51273904196/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51273152437/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51273903221/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51273902296/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51273153267/in/dateposted-public/

 

Nice to see 059 looking immaculate as ever.

 

A day spent at the Mid Hants is always a day well spent and yesterday was no exception. Thanks to all those involved with putting on such a great gala.

 

The 4TC does just look so right on the MHR. Just needs a 33/1 to go with it. Although an electro-diesel is just as good.

Here we are. Sorry for the delay. It is on Channel 4. (It is also on youtube)

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/we-are-lady-parts/on-demand/70029-001

 

Seconded! Tell you what, if the conversion (mentioned elsewhere) of a Thumper to clean tech works out, p'rhaps it'll come time to start thinking "REP". Just joking ..... or am I?

 

A 33/1 and a emu set always gets my vote. You need to go back to 2013 when the railway last had a emu set and 33/1.

3417 and 33109 between Ropley and Medstead

 

It looked externally smart then. It'll look fantastic once Steve and his gang at Strawberry Hill have finished with it.

 

There was a Mad Hants Charter with D7612 on the MHR today...as discussed by the crew and guard.....

Medstead Conversational by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

I hope everyone enjoyed the Diesel Gala, it looked like it from where I was.
Next ... ...
The Urie Loco Society Open Day next Saturday (3rd July). A couple of Parish Notices to be going on with:
Urie Loco Society Open Day Parking
Visitors wishing to have a steam hauled trip along the railway whilst visiting us for our open day are advised to park at either Alresford or Alton and use the ‘Watercress Wanderer’ service, see timetable below. Tickets bought on the day for this train are slightly different from the other services in that they allow the holder to 'hop on, hop off' all day as opposed to the set time trip operated on both the King Alfred Climber and the Austen Adventurer.; BUT please remember your ticket is only valid for the Wanderer.
If you're coming along to the open day and do not wish to travel the line please use the top car park off Bighton Hill, satnav SO24 9SQ
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.
The Watercress Wanderer:
THE WATERCRESS WANDERER
Alresford (Dep) 10:00 13:10 15:00
Ropley (Arr) 10:08 13:18 15:08
Ropley (Dep) 10:15 13:25 15:22
Medstead (Arr) 10:25 13:35 15:32
Medstead (Dep) 10:35 13:40 15:35
Alton (Arr) 10:48 13:53 15:48

Alton (Dep) 11:10 14:10 16:35
Medstead (Arr) 11:23 14:23 16:48
Medstead (Dep) 11:25 14:25 16:49
Ropley (Arr) 11:35 14:35 16:59
Ropley (Dep) 11:40 14:37 17:00
Alresford (Arr) 11:48 14:45 17:08
I hope we see some of you. There have been a few changes to the programme I posted a few days ago. When I get the latest update I will post it.
Pat

 

A further Parish Notice for Saturday:
A raffle is to be held for a framed photograph of 506 donated by one of our members and supporters, Dave Ryding. Measuring W 45" x H 30", double mounted and faced with non-reflective glass this will surely be a perfect addition to any home. Tickets will be sold on the day at 50p each, how many would you like??!!!
With the extension of restrictions until 19th July we will not be able to offer cab rides on 506. The loco will, however, be on display near 499....hopefully encouraging its sibling to return to steam asap!!
Restrictions and a simple shortage of time have made it difficult to arrange the gathering of mini road steam we had hoped for, however there will still be a couple of visitors who will be making a special effort to join us and we look forward to sharing the joy these engines bring.
So ... ... roll up, roll up!
Pat

 

That reminds me of a daily working we used to see at Woking, a 4vep with a 4tc and 33/1 the vep would be a stopper from Bournemouth, the 4tc / 33 from Salisbury, they would join at Basingstoke, I think, and then run together to Waterloo

 

Depending on which reached Basing first, it could run up to Waterloo with the 'Pusher' in the middle. Something different.
Pat

 

Eastleigh Guards used to work the front portion of the 1700 Waterloo-Salisbury/Bournemouth all stations Basingstoke to SAL.
Of course if the train was class 33/0 hauled from Waterloo, It lost time as the Veps were unpowered!

 

A few pics from Mondays charter.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51281188586/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51282212805/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51282212080/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51281915289/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51281185991/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51280445032/in/dateposted-public/

 

Some nice photos there David my friend

 

Nice photo Steve brings back memories of 25067 (D5217) working on the railway.