Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Its good news she is on her way, Sad though for all those members of the WSR that they have now lost this fine locomotive.

 

So have I also for the Saturday

 

53808 just arrived (07:50) in Alresford Tender in car park, loco negotiating turn into station road. Pictures later when I've finished work. A white BMW parked where the loader needs to go though!

 

Quelle Surprise

 

It was a red ford when B870073.... there's always one! Hope the owner is found quickly, or they might find it spliced in two

 

A warm welcome to 53808 which has arrived safely.

Thanks to all at Minehead who have worked hard to get her ready. She looks an absolute credit to you.

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

 

And here is one just before 21B's - 53808 about to negotiate the turn into Station Road. I had to get into work on time today, so no chance to hang round the station carpark to see the actual unloading.

 

Love it, love to see it, i had a bad feeling about it ever leaving the WSR, i thought a last minute problem might arise, but its arrived and a big sigh of relief here.

 

A quick edit from me while eating lunch

S&DJR 7F 53808 by Tim White, on Flickr

 

She will look even better when her wheels are on shiny steel rails.
I expect the Mid Hants can look forward to well booked trains once she is hauling revenue trains.

 

This coming weekend then. Since it’s now arrived at the railway. Nice to see it’s also facing out of Alresford. I’m sure the railways retained photographs will be happy with it facing out of Alresford.

Can’t be to longer before the first photo charter will take place. 53808 and a selection of wagons will be a treat to see.

 

I think the lads at Ropley will want to have a poke round and get familiar with it before trying it out on the line with paying passengers! Although @Widge has fired her before on the Wizzer I believe

 

I understand that it is a very capable loco, but takes firing in a particular way to get the best out of it - the contrast with say a Manor that is more forgiving. (I suspect if you come from a line with no or few LHD locos, firemen may struggle to change sides as well). The other tip was that if you drive sitting on the reverser, you keep out of the way of the fireman and can easily reach all the controls; but if you try to stand behind the reverser, you can no longer reach the regulator, brake.

https://flic.kr/p/6HFrUm (not my photo but shows the issue - and also the seat).

I got an impression that it is a very capable loco, but you have to enjoy the challenge of adapting to different designs, including accepting it is essentially an Edwardian Loco, not a modern one. I’m sure the MHR crews will get a lot out of it.

Tom

 

Patience! Also, facing Country I'm afraid!

 

Another view of 88's unloading

S&DJR 7F 53808 by Tim White, on Flickr

 

It looks to be tender first out of Alresford towards Ropley. However if you are thinking of it facing out of Alresford towards Itchen Abbas then I'm with you all the way!

 

As Steve has said (and as per my photos of the unloading), she's facing country.

 

An unusually unobstructed view of the cab

S&DJR 7F 53808 by Tim White, on Flickr

 

It always amazes me how those heavy haulage trucks manage to negotiate their way through Alresford high street and up station road.

 

Should definitely be facing London in my view