New MHR Website:

I would not want Tony to think I was berating him (and I'm sure he wouldn't lose any sleep if I did - not even sure if he reads all this stuff anyway!) but I would want him and especially Tim to know how valuable Tony's work was in promoting the MHR and what a wonderful PR job the website did in his hands, because it was up to date, topical, interesting and comprehensive. So maybe the first act of reconciliation has to come again from Tim, and maybe Tim could offer editorial control of parts of the website domain eg the various departments? back to Tony and maybe Tony could agree to come back with editorial control over those sections leaving Tim free to control the front page and the main news page. Maybe? Come on guys does it really matter who is actually webmaster if you can each control the pages that matter to you? it's christmas!

 

I don’t under stand why everyone is still talking about the pros and cons of the new MHR web site? We are now on page six of this thread and still people are complaining about the web site. If anyone on this forum thinks they are more capable of doing a better job than the present web masters why don’t they ask Tim if they can get involved with the web site. I don’t see any other preserved railway webs sites getting mention on this forum so why is the MHR web site been signaled out for this treatment? People forget that there are MHR members putting in their spare time to help make this web site work.

 

Well said Lee, Tony Wood did an excellent job with the website , as a volunteer he did put the hours in which makes him a hard act to follow.

The moaners on this subject were in my opinion "spoon fed" the information by Tony and now I think it is time they got off their arses as volunteers and make it happen themselves by going around the Railway, taking photographs/videos and sending it to Tim with some text who I am sure would be delighted to publish on the website.

it is YOUR Railway so get out there and make it happen and stop whining.

Regards
Chris

 

Well said Chris
:smt023

 

You are welcome Lee.

Further to my last post , Tim is assisted with the website at the moment by three young volunteers.

These are Alexander Penfold, Russell Burgess and Ralph Chadkirk, the youngest here not yet sixteen years of age so well done lads.

If they can find the time, and at least one is studying for exams ,why cannot you whether it be something large or small?

Best regards
Chris

 

Chris
Im sorry to say im in the been there done that category besides which i have 4 web sites to do already and am now also getting involeved with the 71A groups site as well .
So lets just hope that fingers are pulled out where needed and someone listens to some of the comments on here .
Tony and contributers had made the Mid Hants web site one of the best alongside WSR.Org . We all got used to it and so the comments here whilst not what some might want to hear reflect on some valid thoughts .
Other railways web sites are no where near as good as the Mid Hants one WAS , so its pointles berating and moaning about them .
David

 

David:

My comments were not aimed at you directly more a broader church. It is very commendable what you are doing with other websites and am certainly not trying to take that away from you.

Lets just say that if the bottom line is that Tony has gone forever, we have to look forward with the new regime that is now in place and work with them not against them.

I see the way forward is to make photographic/video contributions to Tim Beere and his associates to make the Mid-Hants great again, but of course in a different way.

"One door closes and another opens"

Regards
Chris

 

Just a quick enquiry, without starting a new topic, has the second part of the building project, the old "boiler shop" had its new roof completed yet? Anyone been there in the last day or so?

Thanks

 

Good point, I will have a look tomorrow for you.

Regards
Chris.

 

The roof has been put on and one side has also been cladded so I've been told.

 

Thankyou, 73129.

Regards

46118

 

I still don't understand why the loco roster is now Top Secret.

 

Why don't you e mail the MHR and ask them the question?

info@watercressline.co.uk

This way you may get your answer.

 

Ah, it looks as though lee has beaten me to it.

Regards
Chris

 

Tried three times since the new website, no reply.
This will be my last word here on the matter as it's getting boring, but one last time, here goes....
1. I understand the internal politics which led to the change in the website.
2. I am unashamedly a man who likes to watch and ride on steam trains. It is my way of
relaxing. I can only get away from my family commitments about once a month, so I like
to make best use of my days out. This includes knowing the likely motive power.
3. I understand that steam railways don't make much money out of my sort - I always buy
a day rover ticket and I buy dvds, books etc at railways rather than from shops, I'll
also buy a pint of ale and some nosh. But compared to a family of four, or bookings on
premium dining services, I don't spend much, and so am not the key target market.
4. Having said that, I must spend an average of £35 a visit, twelve times a year. All I ask
is a little info from a website that is supposed to be about marketing. I have no
intention of phoning or emailing for this information. This is why I do head to Swanage,
Bluebell and Didcot, but rarely go to the Isle of Wight, West Somerset or my former
regular haunt, the lovely MHR with its terrific locos.

 

If I have your permission I will post this direct to Tim Beere, will that be OK?.

Regards
Chris

 

There are many others like this, including me. I don't ride on the trains though, I prefer to spend the day videoing the action, but I do spend money in the tourist traps - seldom less than £30, sometimes more. More information would be appreciated.

The MHR is the closest railway to home, excepting Didcot and the BRC. In spite of this I'm much more likely to go to the Bluebell than the MHR. It usually has three trains running on Sundays and it tells the prospective visitor what will running, and when, on its website. I would have gone to the Bluebell today if the weather hadn't have been so awful; nstead I've spent the morning cleaning - wonderful.

Regards

 

Unfortunately it is ten days since the last "Loco Shed" update on the website. Sadly people will stop visiting the website if it isn't going to be updated as often as under the previous regime.

46118

 

It's not just the lack of updates, it's the lack of user-friendlyness. The new site takes ages to load, and you have to open a link to look at anything. I thought the whole point of a new website was for a more 'professional' look. Well it ain't worked!

The beauty of the old site was that you could skim the surface and get a good idea of what the latest happenings in Hampshire were, or follow links for more in depth analysis and get lost in the site for hours. That's all gone at a stroke.