Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

The moonlight shot didn't turn out too bad then James!

 

It didn’t Steve, at least not terribly. When you look closely it’s not all that sharp but it’s not the worst I’ve ever taken. Thanks for your advice the other night!

James

 

First view of newly repainted 'Schools' yesterday; really impressive job, thanks to all involved.

 

Anyone know if roster of S15 and Cheltenham likely to happen this weekend? A friend went to have a ride behind Cheltenham in the week but it was not in service and being worked on in the yard.

 

Honestly don't know - I guess the S15 will be out to play..... & if 925 is being worked on, who knows?... by the time I get atop the hill t'morra I'll know, but I won't be able to say what's running!

If 925 is stopped & 76017 off on a jolly, I'd guess the 9F would be the substitute & why not - it's not got many running days left - so grab a ride behind it whilst you can!

 

I just popped in, passing by. 9F and 506 in steam over the pit, waiting to go out.

925 appears to be warm, but nothing more.

 

Many thanks for the reply and info.

 

I gave it a miss yesterday in the end mainly as the timetable with its massive dwell times at each end puts me off from spending a day riding. I realise the bridge issue is out of the railway's control but surely it would have been possible to come up with a better timetable even if it means not at hourly intervals.
I also understand from my dad who visited Saturday the yard is now closed due to H & S issues although he did get a tour as there were some running that day. Whilst not wishing to join the endless H & S bashing in a few years we will not be allowed out of the house I fear for danger of tripping over something.
Of course my dad is a transport jinx anyway his recent list includes
GCR visit on the first weekend the yard and shed were closed off
Watched T9 derail whilst running around his train at Norden
On WSR train where the Manor blew its cylinder
Now the MHR the week they shut the yard

Oh and his car caught fire last year and was written off.

 

The yard at Ropley is only closed temporarily whilst the materials are obtained to make some improvements to the fencing around the yard so that members of the public cannot inadvertently stray into areas which would be dangerous. It will be open again quite soon.

The current timetable is a product of the bridge being out of action yes. There are a number of factors that had to be balanced before it could be drawn up, and without being able to share all those in public, it was the best we could do in the circumstances. It has at least meant more people than ever before have been able to enjoy Medstead.

 

Agree about Medstead. I visited the MHR with family earlier this year and found the goods shed display at M4M really interesting; we probably wouldn’t have stopped had the line continued to Alton. Given that we looked round, can’t remember the dwell time between trains seeming especially onerous. (Think we went Alresford — M4M (look round) — Ropley (look round) — M4M — Alresford).

Tom

 

As a regular on the platform at Medstead, we've certainly been much busier than usual. Even so, the long dwell time feels strange - we have a train in the platform for more time than not...

 

Is his name Jonah by any chance, ( old beano comic character)

 

The dwell times at Medstead aren't unreasonable IMHO. The timetable gives the following.

1 train standard service = 20 min run round time.
2 train standard service = 35 min run round time.
2 train + diesel service = 15 min run round time (diesel), 20-25 min run round time (steam).
2 train + Hampshire unit service = 10 min run round time (unit), 35 min run round time (steam).

Admittedly the run round times are longer at Alresford but what a wonderful place to spend time admiring the locomotives or enjoying lunch in the village. <BJ>​

 

Here's a series of shots of 30925 in BR green livery, whether or not one calls it Brunswick Green

 

Medstead has been enjoyable, enough time to visit the display in the goods shed and the history display in the shelter on the down platform, watch the run around from the footbridge and admire the gardens.

Shame the crane dock is closed off due I'm told to an idiot passenger nearly walking backwards off the dock edge whilst trying to get the whole engine in the camera viewfinder.

 

Any news about that bridge renewal at Alton, seems to be dragging on and on.

 

No Santas running from Alton this winter, make of that what you will.

 

I popped to Alton again this morning to see how Butts bridge is getting on. It’s been a month or so since I last posted any photos of the bridge.

 

Slow progress Lee ?, or another reason?

Chris

 

I was studying the two images and trying to work out if they were ‘then and now’. Only the leaves on the trees made me think that they are both ‘now’.