4449 the story

30 years ago, we nearly suceeded in restoring 4449 the Mid Hants. It was destroyed in a shunting accident . RIP 4449. first selection are as acquired

 

the Insurance Co sold the remains to the Swanage who broke it up at Medstead, so bits of it live on I'd say

 

It wasn't far off, we had to sort out some seats and flooring mostly

 

It was and it wrote off at least one Mk1 and a few wagons too

 

To think at about the same time the railway was showing off their shunting skills on a program I think called "you bet" where they used a steam engine buffer to crack an egg I think against another buffer to show how well they could control the engine.

 

i did laugh a hollow ironic laugh at the time!

 

What a shame. Would be so good to still have that vehicle, and the LSWR dining car that also nearly got completed before the fire. So sad that historic carriages have had such an unfortunate history on the MHR. I hope that we have turned that particular corner though.

I also think that the incident referred to (which is still remembered here) taught the railway a valuable lesson, and I know the operating practices we now have bear little or no resemblance to 30 years ago. Without any complacency at all, because we can always improve, I know that our standards will bear comparison with anyone's and we work extremely hard to keep it that way.

 

I hope the MHR did learn a lesson. Instead of expressing regret or sympathy, we were more or less ordered off the premises by the then management when we went to inspect our property. Just by luck noone was hurt.

 

Was that a result of the high-speed runaway down the hill into Alresford?
I've heard the story but it was well before my time there.

 

yes it was. a black day for me and it's taken me 30 years to even talk about it

 

Genuinely - for what it is worth - it saddens me that this incident occurred, and indeed that you and others were treated in a way which must have added to the distress. Like most heritage railways, an awful lot has changed in 30 years. I only joined 15 years ago, but I already feel that comparing the railway now with the railway then would be to compare if not chalk and cheese, then certainly yogurt and cheese.

 

Also lost were the two buffet coaches burnt out in an arson attack in Basingstoke yard. Was it one or two?

 

Was this the NRM coach from the 4buf emu set.

 

No, that was destroyed in a fire at Wansford.

 

They were two Stainer coaches from a exhibition train that the London Midland Society then owners of 3F 74324 and 4F 44123 purchased for use on the MidHants.