Watercress Line closed 19th & 20th Jan

I've just been told that the Watercress Line will be closed this weekend, 19th & 20th Jan, due to the weather conditions. I was rostered for Ropley 'box tomorrow, so I'm quite glad I don't have to brave the A34 in the early morning. I don't suppose we'd have had many passengers, anyway.

 

It was a bit tricky in Alresford and Winchester today! I was expecting a bit of Lion action to be fair! The last time this happened was in December 2010 when a day's Santas were cancelled. With the new one train service it is no great loss.

 

From memory they also cancelled the Freight train weekend in January 2010. I would think most preserved railways would be closed this weekend.

 

It is a shame that the thumper isn't being used to provide a 'Two Trains in Steam' service off peak when there is actually only one in steam. Does anyone know why not?
I would have been tempted to get down to the MHR this weekend, if the snow was still around, for a few winter photos.

 

I am led to believe that the Railway was closed because the Class 50 is out of action, thus not able to assist if anything got into trouble on the gradients.

Regards
Chris:

 

My daughter and I were going to come down, I had checked the timetable link direct from the google search not going via the home page to see if a service was being run this weekend, and there was no mention of services being cancelled, it was only after checking the loco roster that I went to the front page of the website, so saw the note about train services being cancelled. We only live just outside Alton, so we were not making a long trek, just fancied a bit of steam train action in the snow...

 

Why do I get the feeling that the MHR has lost out this weekend?

Regards
Chris:

 

I would think the main reason why the MHR is closed. Would be loco crews and station staff getting to the railway and getting home again. Anyone that knows the railway will know how steep the road is up to Ropley station.

 

Absolutely the correct decision - Alresford car park was like an ice rink this morning. Felt sorry for the poor lady who turned up to ask about her sons volunteering and promptly fell flat on her backside.