Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

July 2020
Alresford-Alton 3 coaches only I think
"Not Thomas" leaving Alresford by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

When did it take that many? Bet it sounded good!

 

As long as you leave Ropley with full tanks, and plenty of water in the boiler, true, Water shouldn't be a problem, You can also take it at Alton, Coal though I would think might be an issue, can you do 4 round trips on a bunkerfull, or do you have to come on shed at some point and coal up again ?

 

You can take water at Alresford too. We don’t run that many round trips. 3 full line round trips on 3 coaches would be ok, if tight depending on coal type and crew skill.

 

There were some rather convoluted moves proposed for 3781 to run the Alton service this week to enable the little blue one to coal at Ropley. Not sure what is ctually happening , but 506 is definitely out today (34072 yesterday) albeit services are 20 mins down (judging by the departure from Alresford 5 mins ago)

Update 30 mins later- 3781 just passed the bottom of my garden as it runs round, complete with Wizard Express headboard

 

What no evil Thomas face, with revolving red eyes and blood stained fangs you guys are slipping

 

Or an alternative , thanks to Chris Nevard on Facebook recently ......

 

How many coaches is it on? 3 I take it?

 

And does anyone know if 3781 will still be out over the weekend?

Edit: Updated roster shows its 506 & 257

 

Na, what you really need is vincent price to voice over the coach PA, and a demonic sounding voice on Dave " Hullo little child, would you like to come up, and see my firebox, " it's nice and warm, cosy in there welcome to your worse nightmare, this is the 1103 to hell, and beyond , Happy halloween everyone just popping out for a bite

 

3 +BY according to plans, I didn't actually go up to the station to check

 

Made the trip out today for the rare chance of a ride behind Dave on a service train! It performed great on 3 + the BY van.
It only headed into Ropley yard once after doing Alton-Alresford-Ropley in the morning, likely for servicing and recoaling.
Came back out at 13:50 and did it's last round trip no problem!

 

Was that you @AaronT?

Wizard Express by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

Visiting tomorrow. Really looking forward to it. Wizard Week is always an enjoyable event. I was tempted to visit dressed as Beetlejuice but didn't get time to get a costume. Nice to see 34072 is rostered with 506 although we were hoping that Dave might still be in action as we have never had a ride behind 3781.

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Be careful what you wish for! Last Saturday both 508 and 34072 had problems and only the BB actually worked, and that was on the RAT in the evening!
Try saying "Dave" three times and see if he appears!

 

The Wizard? No I don't think so
Didn't see any wizards, must have disappeared by the time I took my photo!

 

"Dave, Dave..... "
No, I won't tempt fate!
Although this might be my reaction if we find Dave on duty and both 506 and 34072 out of action tomorrow:


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Im not surprised 508 had problems wasnt it cut up in 1962?

 

Trains are running about 20 minutes late today due to a couple of problems.
I was told that one of the first trains slipped to a stand on Medstead bank (34072?). There also appeared to be a problem with one of the pipes on the set with 34072 which was receiving attention at Alresford.





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Went well tonight in-spite of poor rail conditions