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Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by NightRail, Jan 11, 2017.

  1. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

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    The railway has a duty of care also, both to employees and customers. If we run services this weekend and that provides encouragement to people to make what is at the end of the day an unnecessary journey that is probably not a responsible thing to do. There are multiple weather warnings out that cover the next few days. The railway is in an area of amber warning (or was last night). IF the railway was required to provide a true transport function that could not be achieved any other way, (such as all roads impassable and food running out in Alresford, but available in Alton) it would potentially be worth the risk of running services. That isnt the case at present (and probably wont be).
     
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  2. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    Look at preserved railways on You Tube this weekend, it will be much warmer and safe from the elements.
     
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  3. Forestpines

    Forestpines Well-Known Member

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    The SVR is advertising that public services and FEs will be running tomorrow and Sunday.
     
  4. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Maybe they should look at the recent weather forecast for central England.
     
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  5. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    Good luck to them. It's a bit too much of a trek for my fix this weekend though.
     
  6. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    Anybody know the likely two locos for Sunday as the railway is sort of on my way back from a CME stewarding trip.
     
  7. MAPLE CHRIS

    MAPLE CHRIS Member

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    76017 i would think not sure if 45231 still there
     
  8. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    Tomorrow night's RAT looks to be fun, with the Ivatt the booked traction...... but with a box on the back - wonder if they'll give it some 03 shovage?...... :Jawdrop: :Saywhat:
     
  9. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    I think it will be a 33, not an 03, so you stand a better chance of keeping time ;-) 76017 on the Alresford set during the day and the Belle in the evening
     
  10. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    Can't we have Thomas? Either are as suitable as each other for a very full load 6. :)
     
  11. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    Not my problem - I won't be there.

    Though Gronk shovage would be a new twist for the RAT - the Belle had it a few years back!
     
  12. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    Be careful what you wish for...........:Saywhat:
     
  13. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    Very unlikely, it would really have to be a final last resort.
    Unlike The Belle, the RAT is used by a number of it's customers as a way to get to Alresford, spend a couple of hours there, and then back to Alton (no I don't understand why you would pay more for the beer in Alresford than on the RAT, but it happens every week).
    So we need something that can maintain the timetable and at 15/18mph, the gronks can't.
     
  14. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    What do you think the Gronk hauled Belle was?......... :rolleyes:

    Any way - you'd probably end up just trundling up & down as far as Butt's, via the Meon Loop..........

    But, you forget the Gronk can do full line - see here https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/30462248492/ taken during the 2016 ASG - with a fair load behind it!
     
  15. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    Indeed. Steam ban wasn't it?
    My point was that some customers on the RAT expect to be able to get off after the first leg and get back on for the 4th leg, just like a service train, whereas on The Belle the whole raison d'etre is to be one the train for the whole time (otherwise you'd miss courses).
    Indeed, they can, but not quick enough to handle the required timetable.

    Anyway, the RAT was 41312 and 33 202 last night, with The Belle being hauled by the Std 4.
     
  16. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    Your Roving RAT Reporter writes... Of interest last night at Ropley were:

    Cheltenham in light steam outside the wheeldrop, so presumably being prepared for service trains in the not too distant future.
    [​IMG]
    Southern Railway Schools Class - 925 - Cheltenham
    by Tim White, on Flickr

    If you look closely you can see that the 9F is currently a 2-8-0.
    [​IMG]
    British Railways Black 5 - 45379 & Standard 9F - 92212
    by Tim White, on Flickr

    Thomas is looking clean and shiny, looking forward to being very useful this Easter
    [​IMG]
    Thomas and British Railways Standard 5 - 73096
    by Tim White, on Flickr

    The RAT's loco last night - Quite a rare haulage, only the second time that the 2MT has hauled the RAT as far as I can remember. Shovage was provided by 33 202.
    [​IMG]
    British Railways Ivatt 2MT - 41312
    by Tim White, on Flickr

    And finally, The Belle's loco for last night
    [​IMG]
    British Railways Std 4 - 76017
    by Tim White, on Flickr
     
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  17. Leafent

    Leafent New Member

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  18. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    Gets my vote. I wonder how many Gin’s you could consume over two round trips.
     
  19. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Only one way to find out :):Drool:
     
  20. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Will there be a car named 'Gin Palace' or Mothers' Ruin? :D
     

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