Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Courtesy of @RA & FC I believe?

 

How long do you propose you go without cleaning a loco? 10 years?

Tom

 

Although it is not really "dirty" in the late 60's version of the word, more just rather a matt finish.
Dirty would mean you would have to clean the loco number to be able to read it.
One of my final images in full sun from the day before departure.
I would also mention that at Norden there was an information board explaining the purpose of "the look"

 

I don’t think it will matter in the dark. Once the lights are on you cannot really tell what is clean and what isn’t.

 

Some people are never satisfied, had the loco not been made available at very short notice, the second lights train would have had to have been the 2mt with diesel on the rear no doubt, and working, and some would have moaned about that, or even diesel hauled with the 47, be thankful that the Swanage railway came to the rescue and agreed to spare an engine at a time when they also are not flushed with motive power.

 

I don’t think anyone’s knocking the Swanage or SLL.
My comment about 34070’s appearance was very much tongue in cheek and no offence was meant to be caused.

I will add that a few years ago a group that I was involved with were rather happy to let one machine get a bit mucky, yet the one that was mainline approved was always sent out looking like it was cared for a little more

 

Neither Bodmin nor 73096 were ever all that polished in mainline days. Especially the latter which did 2 trips out a week at one point and 3 or 4 days on the MHR as well. It was never cold and it was very difficult to clean something which didn’t stop
moving. I took over from incoming rail tour one morning, did the “day job” and then it was FTR in the evening prepped and handed over to mainline support for the following day. We never dropped the fire.

 

Does anyone know whats up with 5239 as in one of the recent update videos from the Watercress Line Films unit we were told she was staying at Ropley to work the steam illuminations services?

 

Commentary I've seen (could be speculation) over on the FaceyB was boiler related issues.

 

I'm glad someone mentioned that!

 

Yes I believe it is a boiler issue, so not something that can be fixed quickly whilst also running the SI services, hence "Manston" arriving. One of the joys of being in the Heritage railway business, always the potential for unexpected challenges! Looking forward to seeing 30470 tomorrow evening though.

 

Gosh-must dash over there to get a new engine! I thought it was long scrapped

 

My bold. One of Mr. Drummond's last, and finest, 4-4-0 design.
Pat

 

That’s correct.

 

Oh dear, I've not been keeping up at the back. And see that Manston . . . 34070 . . . . I typed that very slowly to avoid big brother racing to Ropley to get a new loco . . . is now at the Mid Hants.

Does anyone know, and/or is allowed to say, if that wonderful Bulleid in such lovely workaday condition, is just for the Steam Lights season, or is it intended/possible that it will stay there until 35005 returns in all its magnificence? With maybe a little overlap so the two can be seen working together?

Or am I perhaps thinking just a tiny little bit too far ahead . . . . . .so much so that I may have slipped into day dreaming territory.

 

Sorry not well today slept 14 hours yesterday. A bit of tired typing

 

I understand its there for around 6 months whether thats right or wrong I'm not sure and Whether or not 35005 will be complete by then remains to be seen.

 

The press release from the Swanage Railway on Instagram says that 34070 will be returning to Swanage for the summer 2024 season so it looks like she will be helping out at the Watercress Line for a while.....

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That is a bit of bad luck with 5239.
Great to see Heritage lines helping each other out though with the Swanage Railway coming to the rescue at short notice.
Really looking forward to seeing what 34070 performs like over the Hampshire Alps.

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