Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Schools failed at Ropley on 1130 from Alton this morning and replaced by D8188 but 30925 returned later. Lubrication issues I think. 76017 in fine form though. Got lots of shots of the immaculate 1001 and a short ride on the 1445 Alresford. This unit is a credit to the HDL people. Well worth going to the MHR instead of our intended visit to the Spa Valley Gala. It was extreme brass monkey weather at Ropley at 0900 though but nice later with lots of sun

 

Two photos from today. A31 bridge near Alresford.

 

I was at the Mid Hants today too. Had a brilliant time. The railway is looking well cared for and I agree with an earlier post, the Hastings unit really is a credit to its owners. I know some people have grumbled about ticket prices on heritage railways, but I really feel I’ve got more than £24’s worth of pleasure today. Really grateful to everyone who makes it possible despite the challenges of recent times. Thanks!

 

Went today with Middle Son (13) for the round trip on the Hastings Unit from Alresford at 12.15

There was some confusion as to were MHR ticket holders allowed on or not (we are, I checked)

Cafe was great, staff were lovely as was the Gooseberry & Almond Slice (Dr says I should eat more nuts & fruit)

The original vehicles on the Hastings Unit are magnificent although I am less sold on the non Hastings vehicles, especially as enough trailers exist to make up a full set.

Certainly I haven't been on a Hastings Unit since I was about middle sons age and that was a very very long time ago!

I am tempted to do Oxford to Worcester on the 7th of May.

Sadly Cheltenham had failed - possibly sulking when her replacement arrived so English Electric enthusiasts had a great day when the 20 turned up as well.

We had a quick trip round the new S&D Museum in the Goods Shed before heading for home.

Again the MHR had come up with an interesting day - and Cake!

 

After its visit to the MHR the Hastings unit is captured climbing the hill to Aldershot after a brief snow shower:

 

Talking of Thumper Units is there any news on 1125's overhaul?

 

Well as it was passing the nearby Spa Valley Railway it would've been rude not to fit it in! Two shots of the Thumper on its railtour to the Mid Hants, captured at Leigh on the outward and Reigate on the return.

 

My loco for today!

 

My Loco For today.

 

Yep, couldn't agree more! Spent about an hour at Ropley (with a swift call into M4M to see 30925 back in fine fettle). Railway does look splendid in the spring sunshine (well between the snow flurries!).

 

F F F Flippin 'Eck, it were c c c ruddy perishing atop the hill yesterday, as the full compliment of the Saturday gang gathered!

After the usual brew & catch up, it was time to venture form the relative warmth of the workshop PMV & out in the yard......

First job on the list was to change the two dud buffers on the Shoc van........ with two on each buffer removing stubborn split pins & nuts & the last pairing playing go fetch to find two suitable buffers with the correct hole spacings...... after confusing ourselves with the measure, probably from hands shaking from the cold, we finally found a suitable pair, each one loaded on to a trolley & taken up to the Shoc van in time to witness both the duff buffers drop free.

After scraping off the horse hair matting from where the buffers sat, we uncovered a major problem....... the duff buffers wre of the Doughty type & we were fitting Oleo's...... Doughty buffers have the hole for the locking nut set off centre in the buffer bar, whilst Oleo's are dead centre!

As we don't have a MAG drill in our kit, the buffer change, will have to wait until next week, when hopefully we have use the use of said drill........ with our sails somewhat deflated by this, it was time for a brew & as luck would have it, watch the arrival of the Hastings unit with the Medstead Mountineer Railtour arrive at the station on its way to Alresford & then 30925 arrive in the opposite direction.

After that it was time to do battle with LMS van M517317 again......

This mainly involved sorting out the timbers already removed into good, bad or useful for a template..... the bad ones ending up on the bonfire! bits of ironmongery removed when we took the door off, were also cleaned back to bare metal & given a coat of red oxide, the retaining bolts holding the floor timbers in place were also tack;ed one by one, with many putting up severe resistance, some actually coming undone!

Also, the many bolts holding the half moon battons in the end corrugations were ground off so that at least the country end internal corrugation could be painted with red oxide.

All this took us until the end of the day, when it was time to see the out going railtour arrive at Medstead on its way back home - which is exactly what we did shortly after!!

Some pics of the days trains.....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51979279578/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51979768455/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51979487429/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51979210376/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/51979486319/in/dateposted-public/

The country end corrugation with the half moon battons removed & derusted.



Same end in red oxide - at last, a visible sign of progress!

 

One from Sunny Alresford this morning

Spring Schools by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

Looking at the wagons on Saturday you and your team are doing an excellent job.

 

Latest YouTube video is now available to watch. This time it’s all about the Re-signalling at M&4M. Plus heads up Watercress Line News arrived on my front doorstep today.

 

John,

I will say thank you for your kind comment on behalf all in the MHR wagon group!

Or should that now be the Watercress Line Wagon Group?....... either way, we are the Wagon Group, custodians of some very troublesome trucks!!!!

 

is there any chance this will be answered?

 

Maybe, maybe not. I don’t think anyone from the railway is obliged to provide information to you.

 

Will kilmerson have any of its bits out on show at the gala and on the Saturday of it particular and when will it be running

 

Unsure possibly not if there still reassembling her and current plan is 28th May

 

Whats likely to happen to 30925 once its ten year ticket is up, I would hope the railway can get another loan spell from the NRM of sufficient time to allow the engine to be overhauled and returned to service for another active spell.

I'm not sure if I want to see Kilmerston with any of its bits out on show