Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Lack of on train ticket checks once again though trains were being patrolled. Are we so well known on the MHR that we are ignored? Our 6th visit this year.

 

I haven't seen a TTI on a train for a very long time. Didn't have ticket checked once on a train at either the recent Mid Hants or Bluebell galas. They used to be a bit over-zealous at times but now they've gone to the other extreme. Hope the railways aren't getting any freeloaders!

 

I had mine checked at the Bluebell GOS on the Saturday- he was the only one and he swapped between trains.

 

I’m guessing fare avoidance isn’t a massive issue on heritage railways…?

Simon

 

In my 6-7 years TTIing I've had a few people who've genuinely been unable to buy a ticket for whatever reason, only 1 occasion where I really thought they were trying it on and felt the need to subtly march them to the next booking office just to be sure. I have heard stories of tickets being passed on through railings during galas though...

 

Perhaps the TTIs recognised us from our many visits and knew that we always by tickets. I often leave the ticket on the table anyway

 

Really the key thing is to make it difficult to enter without buying a ticket, then it isn't necessary to check on the train.

 

Another day of 7F fun

 

Waiting for the road

 

Had my ticket clipped at the diesel gala this year. The great thing about having a TTI on the train, it’s another point of contact for customers/travelling public . Most TTI’s also have a great knowledge of the railway and so can connect with the travelling public in ways others can’t.

 

At the Bluebell don't they usually check tickets on the entrance to the platform, at least at Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes? Same with the Mid Hants on special events, you certainly needed a ticket to get in at Ropley.

 

At this gears Autumn Gala, I arrived at the entrance to Alresford and immediately got a "Hello" from the man in the ticket office when I entered, before I was properly standing by the window to talk to him. It would've been very difficult / rude for someone to enter and completely ignore him and walk straight onto the platform, and as they were doing a wristband system, so you didn't need to have your ticket in your pocket all the time, once I had collected my ticket and walked onto the platform, one of the platform staff immediately asked me for my ticket, then gave me a wristband, timetable etc.

Of course this was a gala so was different to a normal operating day, but if the ticket office is right by the entrance to the station platform, its easy to see someone walk onto the platform without buying a ticket. I wonder if, because of this, on train ticket checks aren't as big at the MHR, or any other railway that has a system similar to this?

Very much so. I find they're also really good with the youngsters! Getting their ticket clipped is a highlight of the day for them.
But there's also some people who will want to just enjoy the ride without being disturbed by a TTI, whether they're in a seat or by a door window. Despite the fact I usually film 'out the window' when riding behind steam, I would be perfectly ok with someone wanting to check my ticket, they have money to make after all and its not a free-for-all. But I wonder if sometimes TTI's skip any "enthusiast" they see, whether they think that because they're an enthusiast they assume they would've paid or otherwise. At another event I was on at another railway a few years ago, a TTI had a good chat with a couple who had kids with them, clipped their tickets etc, but then walked straight past me, despite the fact I had my ticket ready to show him. I had a camera in my hand so I just assumed he thought not to disturb me, but I was fully prepared to show it to him regardless.

 

Here is my shot of 30925 approaching Medstead yesterday plus one of her on an ecs train at Wimbledon on 26.09.1961. She lasted until December 1962 but I didnt see her on the Lymington Pier boats trains that summer but Salisbury turned her out for the 830 am Plymouth to Waterloo from Salisbury on Sunday 2nd September 1962 as a farewell to complete the trio of 30770 and 30861 on that day.

 

And so, five hardy souls gathered atop the hill yesterday morning, and promptly decided that it would a good idea to have breakfast in the mess room for a change.... not a bad call, as I had a fair amount of info to impart from one of my meeting a Ropley, and subsequent calls during the week, that impacted us all - or will in the new year!!!

During that time, our 'glorious leader' handed out the QAVS badges that had finally arrived - we're now all wearing them with pride,

After all that, it was time to take on various tasks on a vareity of wagons.......

Over in Bennett's, it had been reported that one of the vac hoses on the two plank had a possible split...... so two of us set off to investigate, which also gave us the chance to inspect three of the box vans and the milk tank, to make sure that they are good to go, as they are out to play next weekend......

Elsewhere in the yard, one of our number took on the task of washering up the brake hangers on box van B760337, starting with the one that had the new claw fitted to the brake block last week, and then following round as the two other brake blocks were fitted with new claws as the day progressed.

That left two others to rectify the problem we discoverd last weekend with the country end, south side gusset plate, which was out of true thanks to wrap round being slightly inward as opposed to flush - which would cause long term problems with the timber cladding if not rectified now!

So, work their magic, they did, including reaming the existing bolt holes to match.....

In amongst all this, I had to nip down to Ropley for another meeting, which thankfully was brief!!

So, back atop the hill in time for lunch, having managed to get a cab ride on the Ivatt as it blasted its way up to Medstead - call it a perk of the job......

Over lunch, the rest of the lads were updated on things that were discussed over breakfast. After that, it was back to the coal face.....

Muggin's 'ere, along with the dynamic duo, discussed exactly what was needed with the four bottom cladding planks, and how they were supposed to fit - allowing for corrosion on the backs of the upright c section, that done, they were left to it, & I went off to help out on fitting new claws on the brake blocks, and then helping out washering up & tightening up the brake hangers.

By the end of play, all the new claws were welded on to the brake blocks, and the things fitted, meaning that B760337 is good to go for an FTR & rejoing the running fleet, plus all four bottom cladding planks on M517317 had been fettled to fit, an fit they did!

Finally, @smasher and @Ploughman , thanks lads for your kind comments, much appreciated - everyone likes to see wagons out & about, but I doubt have much idea as to what it takes to get the damn things running, no wonder we call them troublesome trucks & for good reason!!!

With a three train service for Wizard Week yesterday, it was almost like a gala with a tain passing us approx every 20 mins.......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52464788151/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52464787756/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/52465339628/in/dateposted-public/

I had hoped that this would show all the brake blocks with their claws on - but hey ho, at least it shows some!!

 

Tbf for a while now MHR Galas use a Wrist band system which is changed and marked to prevent people bring there own bands to beat the system (it does happen) this means ticket checks on galas can be done without having to stop every visitor and gives a more seamless experience while still allowing ticket evaders to be found

 

30925 disposal this evening

 

Is that it now, for 30925? Is there a fund put aside for an overhaul, from hire fees, steaming fees etc , or does that go direct to the science museum, and any overhaul has to be paid for by the railway. In the time it's going to take to get a new agreement from the Science Museum, to overhaul, and run 925, whats the plans, is there room at Margate, to put her safely under cover and maybe swop with the black 5 , bring that back and if the railway put aside the funds, it after all is owned by the railway,so no hidden ownership issues, make a start on overhauling her,

 

I don't think the MHR's Black Five is very well, it needs major frame replacements doesn't? It be better to finish off Can Pac and 75075 I suspect.

 

She was running very well again at the weekend. Effortlessly hauling its trains uphill. Does she need a full overhaul? What work is needed on the boiler?