Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Not aware of any such line.

Bryan -spelt with a y - B

 

Bryan knows all about the railways in West Sussex. You must be thinking of the railway to the west of Somerset . [BJ]

 

Excellent news from the MHR. <BJ>

''STEAM TRAVEL IS BACK TOMORROW!'' (Wed. 26/8)
We are so pleased to confirm that we are returning to running steam services tomorrow, Wednesday 26th August, with 35005 'Candian Pacific' on the Alresford service, accompanied by the Class 150 'Sprinter' Unit on the Alton service.
This news comes following our decision to suspend steam running in light of the dry conditions and associated risks, and this is a choice that has been made with our visitors, staff, volunteers and neighbours in mind.
We are continuing to review risks on a regular basis.
Thank you for your patience and understanding in recent weeks. We look forward to your visit!

 

Afternoon,

I don't suppose anyone knows what is likely to be running over the weekend?

Thanks

Andrew

 

35005 and 41312 Saturday and Sunday, 35005 and 47579 on Monday.

 

Thank you!

 

There is an interesting article in the latest issue of Heritage Railway which arrived the other day. The six page article is basically an in-depth interview with Rebecca Dalley, the CEO of the railway about the future of the line and the plans for the loco fleet:

- Paignton's Tank 4247 has been hired to provide
back up for the home fleet until the end of 2027
according to the article (although it says this is
mainly back up for the steam illuminations
season so not sure if it is supposed to say the
end of 2026).
- 35005 and 34007 have been deemed too large
for regular services. 34007 will operate on the
railway for the 2027 season to run in before
being stopped to be fitted with the necessary
gear for Main Line operation. 34007 will then
operate for short stints on the WL in between
her ML activities.
- 75079 is now the main priority in Ropley works
as it will be more economical to run than the
two Bulleids. Hopefully she will be finished
sometime in 2028.
- 92212 has been provisionally included in the
new loco strategy plan as it may be available to
the railway when the overhaul is completed.
- The Urie Locomotive society are a major part of
the new loco strategy. Hopefully both S15's will
be in steam together sometime in 2029.
- 850 Lord Nelson is provisionally in the new plan
but will not be a priority for overhaul at the
moment. WL owned locos are the current
priority.
- 45379 is quite a way down the overhaul queue
but will be done in the future as it is a WL owned
loco.
- The other Class Five on the WL, 73096 is no
longer in the railway"s locomotive strategy plan
as it is now privately owned. Nothing is
expected to happen with 73096 any time soon.
Rebecca goes so far as to say that the railway
probably no longer needs 73096 as they have
75079, 45379 and 80150 as future motive
power. The sale of 73096 kept the railway in
business after COVID.

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

That's an interesting run down.
Wonder who 73096 sold to?

 

Hopefully 4247's stay is until the end of 2027, I'm planning on going to the Autumn Gala, but was wondering if I'd be able to fit everything in and would be nice to make another visit for 4247. I was wondering if 6989 would have an extended stay, given the Bluebell will have 41313 for the winter, unless it's got more filming work coming up after the Gala.

 

That is pretty comprehensive, thanks for the summary. I do find it slightly ironic that while the concerns over 35005 being too large have been well aired since before it returned to service, it has also been the most trusted steam loco in high fire risk conditions, as far as I can tell, so has served the line pretty well this summer.

I'm glad the ULS are front and centre in the line's plans; I know other S15s are out there, but it's always seemed to me that the Urie pair are a nice point of difference that are both appropriate and well matched to the line.

 

I do not believe 6989 is returning to the Bluebell in the short term. Not sure about the years to come, though.

 

I read the article, and was surprised that no mention was made of the Ivatt tank, which I thought is now owned by the railway. It has recently been a mainstay of services, and seems to cope perfectly well with all that is asked of it, but perhaps the management now regards it as too small. a shame if that is true, I feel.