Mid-Hants Loco Roster for Santas

Does anyone have any info on what locos are likely to be operating during the next few weekends on the santas?

Do the santa services run the full length of the line?

TIA

P.S: Such a shame the new website doesn't carry the wealth of info that the old one used to with regards to up to date news and loco rosters - makes me much less inclined to visit now. Nuff sed!

 

9F on Alton services.

As for Alresford services, either 34007 or 850, maybe 5224 though it dont know. 30075 is too weak.

There is the slight chance that 60019 may do the christmas eve services like it did in 2007, however they may just clean it out and leave it.

However, dont be surprised if there is a 33 or 37 on the back like last year. Which having travelled on it, was the worst year ever. Having a diesel on the back of a 7 coach train with 73096 sucks.

 

Last year was a bit confusing as on the first weekend there were quite a few of us waiting between Medstead and Ropley for the advertised Alton service to come along and it never did. Only the Alresford services ran on the first weekend with 73096 due to a lack of bookings apparently.

 

I suspect that may be the case again this year. The MHR web-site says that you can turn up and pay on the day for the Alresford services but the Alton ones are not advertised at all.

 

I suspect a repeat of last year, though god only knows with what loco.

 

9F on Alresford santas this year, just checked.

 

Thanks for the info - by this do you mean ALL the santas - i.e on all the dates?

 

9F all this weekend, on Alton services for the rest of the santa season.

Would hazard a guess that on next weekends Alresford services it will be probably 34007, though if it's brakes are done and there is no more mainenance, then it may be 850. 5224 is covering for failures.

30075 is laid up for the winter and as you know 60019 is on the mainline. Might do christmas eve services though.

 

Sorry can I ask why 30075 Yankie Tank is laid up for the winter period? And also what is wrong with Wadebridge?

 

I meant problems with 850. ie its breaks completed. Wadebridge is fine, its just that 850 may work some other days.

I should have thought that 30075 being laid up was obvious. It is not strong enough to take 6 coaches either direction in the winter with a full train. The dining trains are heavy and there are no footplate courses or goods trains.

The same used to happen to 41312.

 

A Yankie Tank can a 6 coach set... 41312 did once with me firing on the footplate when Wadebridge had problems and couldn't go any further - 34007 had to be taken off at Ropley.

It's possibly a case of keeping 30075 in good working order and can't wait to see what she does next year as planning to be down the MHR.

 

I suspect MHR wont do that though. Anyway, people want large locos with a name.

 

Which people?

As for load 6, I thought most mid hants services (santas and diners excepted) were 4-5 these days anyway?

 

Possibly a large loco, forget a name..

You will find most MHR services formed of 5 -6 coach trains and 7 at the busiest times.

 

Most services these days are five or six carriages. IIRC last years Santas were six carriages and when I visited with the family on Boxing Day last year I'm sure 73096 had six or seven on. I think they had the carriage rakes ready for the Christmas Leave event but they were still well filled anyway. I am hoping to get down for this years Christmas Leave event and get away from the mainly terrible Christmas TV programmes.

 

It was Wadebridge running today.

 

That pretty much confirms what i said, 34007 on Alresford santas, 92212 on Alton santas. 850 & 5224 on standby.

BTW santa trains always have load 6. So 30075 couldnt manage it on a cold morning, needless to say that it isnt particularly attractive to non-enthusiasts and crews wouldnt want to drive it.

 

Most non enthusiasts don't care what it is as long as it make the right noises! I have seen Can Pac struggling on the Alton Santa so I don't think it would be a good move to use the 62 tank!

 

I'm only sorry that I don't live nearer to be able see a USA Tank running in the winter - I fulfilled a long time ambition this year and travelled behind one - in Sacramento on 4 July!

Whilst I'm usually only interested in the GWR when it comes to standard gauge locos, I do like those USA tanks and the S160's.