Final runs of U 31806 on Mid Hants Railway now in July.

I have started a separate thread for this as details have now been put on the MHR website.
The Loco roster page now states the following:

LOCO RUNNING DATES
JULY - July will be the last month that 31806 (U Class) runs on the MHR, as it leaves for the Swanage Railway in August.
1st: 31806
2nd & 3rd: 925
5th & 6th: 850 and 31806
8th, 9th & 10th: 925
12th & 13th: 850 & 31806
15th, 16th & 17th: 31806
19th, 20th & 21st: 850 & 31806
22nd: 850 & 925
23rd & 24th: 850 & 31806
25th, 26th, 27th & 28th: 850 & 925
29th: 850 & 34007
30th & 31st: 925 & 34007

Final day of use is now Thursday 24th July.

 

Getting every last bit of use out of her!

I am on the Belle on 19th, so looks like I will get one last run behind her! Also a Belle on 12th July so will 31806 will probably pull that too!

 

I thought they'd make the last run on a weekend, try to get a bit more revenue out of the last run as many people would come for 'one last hurrah'!

 

Did anyone make it down for her last day today? I couldn't make it as I need my remaining holiday days for other things. I had my final runs behind her during the War On The Line Event in June.

 

As one chapter ends, another begins.....

 

I had my final rides behind 31806 on the MHR yesterday, a shot of her nearing Ropley:

 

Lovely photo, pretty timeless.

 

Thanks, was a nice day out apart from the extremely humid conditions.

 

I've posted a couple of short sequences of 31806 on YouTube:

Watercress Belle, Sat 21st June:


Sun 20th July:


Please look after her on the Swanage Railway, she's a gem!

 

Excellent videos. Loved The Watercress Belle sequence. Brilliant.

 

I'm glad someone took some pictures on 21/6, the weather was fantastic. Muggins here was stuck in the kithen with John Short (Belle Chef0 getting very, very hot! I looked out at Wanders on the second trip up (about 21.15) and there was a lovely glint!

Is 31806 going straight to Swanage or is it having a washout etc at Ropley ( understand that may be a sensitive question so no obligation to answer)

Looking forward to visiting the U in her new home, and in the future seeing two (or even three) moguls in action together again. The Swanage is a great railway and a fitting home for these locos, I wish them well

 

I believe she is due her annual exam so will require a wash out and the other annual jobs which will be completed before she departs.

 

I have finally uploaded my shots of 31806's penultimate day in traffic on the MHR running with No. 925 'Cheltenham', see here:

http://khardy.zenfolio.com/p1000649128

Cheers,