MHR War on the line 8th and 9th June

Hi everyone,

Just a heads up. This coming weekend is War on the line.


http://www.watercressline.co.uk/product.php/26/war-on-the-line

 

I will be attending on Saturday. Always a great event on the MHR. One of the best.

 

Had a brilliant day today. Trains were packed and there were loads of re-enactors. Unfortunately 34007 Wadebridge failed early on in the day with a motion problem (the rods could be wobbled about by hand when she was in the yard!). She was replaced by the Class 50 for the rest of the day. A real shame as 34007 was on cracking form on the 11.06 departure from Alresford.

 

I wonder if 50027 will be out again tomorrow? Great to see the Hawker Hurricane today.

 

It could well be. When we got back to Ropley on the last train from Alresford 34007 had been moved from the wheel-drop road and into the main yard. If it is a bearing problem can they fix it overnight I wonder? Two of the main rods were wobbling and clanking about when moved by the Shed staff and crew members. Excessive play was a bit of an understatement!
Great to see the Hurricane in action also. A Spitfire is doing the display tomorrow.

 

I heard that it was possibly a split pin, according to footplate crew/station staff (I was working in the yard at Medstead today), so possibly they can......................................................... and as much as I dislike boxes, without it today the service would have gone seriously t*ts up!!!!!!

 

Yes, it was certainly a good job they had either the Class 50 or 37 to hand. Only problem was not many people travelled on the Diesel service and the two steam services (925 and 45379) were standing room only. Couldn't be helped though.

 

A good day in the sun. My photos from the event can be seen here http://paulgildersleve.smugmug.com/...-Sat8/29872127_Tq4LKv#!i=2562492759&k=n4pZJfZ

Regards,

Paul

 

Looking forward to visiting tomorrow, should be a good day even if it is a Bulleid light!

Would someone mind posting on here which diagrams 45379 and 925 will be working tomorrow please? It would be nice to draw up a plan tonight to save me making one up as I go along tomorrow! Thanks in advance

James at SVN

 

I guess a 50 in NSE livery is correct for a war weekend. Gulf war admittedly...

 

If tomorrows the same 925 will start at Alton and 45379 will be the first up train from Alresford. 50027 should work the second up working from Alresford. But all this may now change.

 

Thanks Lee, appreciate that

James at SVN

 

Proves that it is handy to have the odd oil burner around when a kettle fails......keeps the show on the move....

 

Rather than using a diesel, wouldn't it have been more true to the spirit of the event to have had cancelled trains, standing room only, long delays and no-one quite knowing when or if they were going to reach their destination?

Tom

 

That almost happened today!......................................................................................... crew of the Black 5 reported strange noises from under the engine, came to a halt between Ropley and Medstead for investigation - that threw the timetable by 15 mins......................................................... Wadebridge was suffering from steaming problems................................................................. that threw the timetable by a further 30!................................ ultimately failed later with steam reverser problems (and after what happened on the NYMR, a wise decision)....................................... service was rescued by a Leader class loco cunningly disguised as a box (to fool the Germans......................................... )

Have literally just got back so will post a link to pics later.

 

Well, there's a first time for everything...

Tom

 

The first video from today's War on the Line on the Mid Hants Railway. This is 45379 barking up the 1in60 from Alton to Medstead from the first window!

Thanks to all for a great day out, and it was nice to meet up with David again at Ropley My second video will follow.



James at SVN

 

My video from the Mid Hants' War on the Line event from the weekend:



James at SVN

 

Some nice footage there,James, nice to catch up with you too!

At least that kid calling Wadebridge didn't completely ruin the footage of Wadebridge's departure, well not as much as you feared anyway!

Still if Tornado is what it takes to get the kids interested in steam, then so be it..........................................


And here is a link to my take of the day on Sunday

http://daverydingphotography.zenfolio.com/midhantsraiilwaywarontheline2013