Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Trust me, you would driven insane with how the MHR bangs on about how these Pacifics were Jesus in train form.

I have visited many railways, its was a god send during my time at the MHR.

I do appreciate volunteers maintaining these old steam engines, but consider this, your the one of two (from what I can recall) who are GWR through thick and thin and you hear nothing BUT your favourite company being constantly slagged off for just about anything, yet say something about Bullied Pacifics, they think you should be hung, drawn and quartered.

 

If you are referring to me, I haven't been on the West Of England line for a few years now, love the architecture, shame its single track.

I suppose that showed the stupidity of the 1963 Transport Act and our "Quick Fix" government we seem to have.

 

Talking of hung, drawn and quartered I think that should be a punishment for someone who, repeatedly, can’t spell Bulleid.

 

That was a slip of the finger.
Never going to win with these Southerners.
Although I like the idea of an 08 domination.
He would be very happy:

 

Well poorly advertised ones then!
I only see the big green show offs on passenger or dining trains (SR's version of mixed traffic I suppose).

Not like our Hall, Grange and Mogul classes, who you could see racing along with a load of wagons clanging and bumping behind them, covered in goodness knows what.

 

Lots of pictures to disprove that, but might as well choose one of an MHR loco:



Tom

 

That would have made a good Picture Puzzle as you are currently holding the baton.
I wouldn’t have got it, cos I’ve no idea where it is.

 

I'm sure their is.
However, think about this.
Coal traffic.
Slate traffic.
Steel traffic.

Southern didn't deliver that did they?
GWR did!

 

Pause for a moment and think about the troops carried by the various Southern pre-nationalisation Company’s during WWII.
Without their efforts your life would be completely different

 

If your going down this route...
Pause for a moment and think about all the children that were evacuated out of London by the GWR (and LMS pre-nationalisation) during WW1 and WW2.

Otherwise there would be NO-ONE to remind us of what a terrible time both wars were and how lucky us youngsters are nowadays.

Obviously more a our island defence systems were based West as we had more dockyards AND Royal Navy ships that way.

Basically, we can all agree that all four of British Railways systems helped during the conflict, but this isn't about who up'd who during those dark days - This is simply about another pacific being restored, great of like them, but for someone like me, less flashy more ashy.

Hence the mention of the 75XXX and 80XXX engines, both a which are better suited for heritage railway economics.

Bigger isn't always better.

 

Ha! Good one. Unlabelled at source, but I'm going to take a punt at coming into Honiton in the up direction.

Meanwhile ...

Tom

 

Well, the dockyards at Portsmouth, Chatham & Sheerness were firmly in SR territory - and the SR also served Plymouth. Whereas Rosyth Dockyard was definitely in LNER territory.

But I agree with you that more serviceable 75XXX & 80XXX are highly desirable for the larger heritage railways - just the right size for them.

 

Prexactly! Another Bulleid on the MHR considering they already have 34007, 34105 and 35005 is just overkill, the railway needs to think about smaller, cost efficient engines like 80150 and 75079.

Only reason I said about Bulleid dominance, is that MHR will have 34105 and 35005 out soon, Swanage's fleet will literally be 34028, 34070 and 34072 and U, so it's going to be MA-HOO-SIVE!

 

When did a U come to be classed as massive? Think they're a class 3, aren't they?

 

I've no idea where it is either as I can't see a picture!

 

Perhaps if you weren’t so disapproving of Bulleid Pacifics, people wouldn’t be so disapproving of the GWR in return. Just a thought.

 

I think he’s talking about the Swanage loco fleet as a whole rather than the U on its own. Thought they were class 4 anyway.

 

It's more the influx of Bulleid Pacifics that's massive.
Like I said, for the Southern railways, if it ain't Bulleid, it ain't worth the effort.
I feel really sorry for 30053, 30120, 80104, 41312, 45379, 73096, 76017 and 92212, such wonderful engines, yet, not a single ounce of gratitude for the many years of wonderful service.

 

It's a good thought.
I wouldn't be so anti-Bullied if they were treated like so many other wonder SR, LNER, LMS, GWR engines, as they are, just steam engines.
Not gods gift to the Southern or British Railways Southern Region.

The one thing I don't mind them seeing them and riding behind them is either a West Country or Somerset & Dorset theme because they're just "one of the lads" not "the lord and saviour".

 

They will have kilmerson running one day but not sure when it seems to be taking a long time but it will make there engines a lot different and something different. I would also like to see swanage railway do the same and get back whiston or another smaller engine.