Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

It's not good practice to fund-raise for something when you can't be definite about a) the target required, and b) the timescale over which the money is going to be spent. If the major bodywork overhaul can't be started for several years (I have no actual knowledge of the situation, other than that clearly the hauled stock, the railway's bread & butter, will undoubtedly have a higher priority), then raising a little money and then nothing happening for some time would frustrate far more donors than waiting before launching an appeal at the appropriate time.

 

I only asked what her stance would be on the restoration, if it was going ahead and if fundraising would be set up as was suggested.
An update was supplied by 50027 and publicly on the Facebook group following this. I was not expecting anything to happen in any time scale, just an update.

 

The scenario for donations was a “would you” type question to gauge interest.
At the time there were some major goings on within the management and finances so it wasn’t taken further that reason.

Things will progress with the unit, just slowly sadly as hauled stock takes obvious priority and the unit needs a massive amount of work.
Keep tuned into the 1125 Facebook page for further news.

 

Does anyone know if the loco for the week is still 34070?

Thanks

Andrew

 

It is.

 

Thank you very much. I hope to be there in Monday.

Thanks

Andrew

 

Hmmm..... just where did yesterdays early morning rain come from?......... it sure wasn't in the forecast!!!

So five hardy souls had a prolonged breakfast atop the hill waiting for the rain to abate before we ventured down the yard to do battle once again with LMS van M517317.......

Three of our number had the seemingly never ending task of getting the mass of internal cladding planks, along with the south side longitudinal beam into undercoat...... by the end of the day, inroads had been made!

That left Muggin's 'ere and his mucker to start drilling the floor planks and bolting them to the frames...... a seemingly easy task on paper, but a right pain in the backside in practice, meaning that instead of gettting all 18 planks done, we only managed to get all bar one of the London end section done, as this requires holes drilling in the solebar..... nothing on this van at the moment is ever straightforeward, when you expect it be!!!

Still, it was nice to see trains running again, and well patronised.

A few pics of 34070 in action.......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53522727344/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53522841460/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53521513752/in/dateposted-public/

An increasing pile of internal cladding planks into undercoat.



A new bolt hole for a fllor pank drilled in the solebar.



The London end section all but bolted into place.

 

Makes sense, thanks.

 

A few shots of Manston in action on Monday. If you watch the video, I hope you enjoy it

 

A superb video, thank you.

Spring seems to be springing early this year!

 

Crystal ball time if I may! Does anyone know if 34070 is likely to be in operation at the Mid Hants (on/off of course) up to and including the Spring Gala late in April please?

I'd like the chance to get a few more shots of that loco in weathered condition, and a run or two over the Alps behind it. I would have gone this week, but had been rather enjoying Spitfire at the Spa Valley Railway in their excellent Winter Gala, and after circa 20 hours walking and standing around etc over that three day event I've been in unrebuilt hip protection mode!

 

Cheers

 

34070 is staying till end of May/early June and will take part on the Spring Steam Gala. It is seemingly running the rest of the weekend then services resume in about 4/5 weeks time. I suppose 41312 and 506 maybe ready by then to rub shoulders with the Bulleid

 

Ben, many thanks for that, very helpful.

Bryan

 

Latest video from the Watercress Line film unit. Link below



It's on the commissioning of Medstead Panel. Another really well put together video. Nice to see the new CEO put in front of the camera. Well done to Will and the team.

 

Thanks for posting that, very interesting indeed. If I heard it right, the old signal box is now defunct - so whereabouts is the panel located please?

 

In a structure at the country end of the station -"Medtemp" a modern modular building

 

Otherwise known as a Portakabin!

Personally I think it's a shame to see the old mechanical signalling disappear but I can understand why it's been done. Looks like a great job so well done to all.

 

And today it’s an 08 day

 

34070 was on the RAT tonight

34070 on the RAT by Stephen Morley, on Flickr