Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Will and the team have surpassed themselves. They have somehow managed to raise a very high bar. Well done to everyone

The Architecture of The Watercress Line with Tim Dunn: Part 1 - Secrets in Plain Sight - YouTube

 

Very well done that video. My family always enjoy watching anything with Tim Dunn.

 

Totally agree. That was brilliant. Looking forward to Part 2.


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Excellent day at the Railway today for the Engineering Open Weekend event. Good to see it was well attended with lots of families visiting.
Really enjoyed seeing behind the scenes in the loco shed and the Carriage/boiler shop. So much work going on not just on the home fleet but also on contract jobs. I had a good chat with one of the guys in the loco shed about the progress being made with 34007, 75079 and 92212.
The state of the tender of 53808 in the other shed was a bit of a shock. It is going to require a lot of replacement parts including the drag box.
We enjoyed a trip on the recently extended miniature railway. It was great to see the excellent progress achieved by the volunteers on this project.

There was a small presentation from the Lottery Heritage fund at Ropley for the restoration of 35005 marking six months after CanPac returned to service.

The highlight of the day was travelling on the delayed 15.00 service from Alresford, boarding at Ropley for what was one of the best round trips we have ever had over the line. The crew of 35005 really put on quite a show with CanPac providing the loudest soundtrack we have experienced from a Bulleid Pacific over the Hampshire Alps. The climb up to Medstead from Ropley was superb and CanPac sounded fantastic in the long cutting bringing back fond memories of her Main Line escapades (although she didn't reach ML speeds!)
The tender first return back from Alton was also very impressive with 35005 being opened up in fine style after Butts Junction. There was also very enthusiastic use of the whistle throughout the journey. Were the crew celebrating a special occasion?

We supported the Urie and 80150 folks as we purchased a few items from the stalls. My Dad and I both needed some new hats so I acquired a 80150 baseball cap and my Dad bought a beanie hat. My sister bought a tote bag.

Thanks to all the staff and volunteers for a great day. The round trip behind CanPac is going to stay long in the memory. A few shots from the day:

The Lottery Heritage fund presentation at Ropley:


Top up:


Class 47 on the Alton set:


CanPac at the head of the spirited 15.00 service from Alresford:


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Should have said "Hello"- I was one of the Film Unit guys videoing/photographing the presentation!

 

We didn't want to get in the way of the proceedings! I did hear one of the guys mention that the report was going to be shown on ITV news. Did this happen?

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So, another week, another Saturday atop the hill & once again Muggin's 'Ere was on the missing list - it seems to becoming a recurring theme at the mo, But there were valid reasons, 'Onest 'Guv!!

So, it was left to me Oppo, me Mucker and a couple of the lads to carry on with LMS van M517317....... Muggin's & Me Oppo had had a good chat midweek to determine just what could be done given the weather forecast was constantly changing & Muggin's giving some tricks of the trade should any painting be possible!

On the menu, were the axlebox's, which needed to be checked & the oil topped up, along with cleaning up the south side springs & giving them a liberal coat of grease, along with fitting the roof edging strips and pinning the felt down, there was even time to give the swan necks a lick of paint!

As the weather window now seems to be slamming shut, and we're running out of time before the van gets shunted down to Alresford & never mind Muggin's is now on his annual Holibob, the next time I report in, the gala will be over, and if you do happen upon M517317 at Alresford & see it up close & personal, please don't be too critical of our efforts, as you've got to remember, this vehicle has pretty much had a complete rebuild & it's the first time we've actually tackled this & we've been through a massive learning curve - there are no Hayne's manuals on how to do it - we're happy to receive feedback of a constructive nature, should anyone wish to do so......

Hopefully after the gala, at least one of our next projects 'should' be in the yard, if it isn't then we're going to have fun, not, of keeping a bunch of guys interested........

Sorry, no pic's of what went on, as I've not been sent any.