Mid Hants Railway Operational Matters

Dave,

Unless someone painted it in rail Blue or NSE livery there’s a good possibility I’ll miss these small details.

 

Oooh. NSE... It would look good in that.

 

Lee,

There really is no helping you - they're not exactly subtle!

Maybe it is time that you went to SpecSavers.........

 

Wizard weekend looked to be well attended with most trains today looked to have a good loading. Three train service with 76017 and 92212 working Alresford to Alton and 205025 running between Alresford and Ropley.

 

Here's my take on the very cold Saturday.

 

After working the RAT last night, 92212 was on Wizard Weekend duties today.
Plus Hammy was out again.

Wizard Express by Arle Images, on Flickr

92212 and RAT ECS leaving Ropley by Arle Images, on Flickr

Wizard Express at Bighton Bridge by Arle Images, on Flickr

Autumn Thumper by Arle Images, on Flickr

 

Great photos. Curious headcode on the thumper though. Shouldn't it be 76? 91 is for fast trains from Waterloo to Southampton.

 

Could it not be a diverted fast from Waterloo to Southampton?

 

Stretching it a bit. 91 headcode came in with electrification in the mid-sixties and was used on 8 or 12 car EMUs. By which time the DEMUs were painted blue. Plus I can't imagine a fast service from Waterloo with a two car DEMU. Would have been a bit crowded - just like South Western Railways on strike days.

 

Could also use headcode 16 or 69. Both headcode were used on the Mid Hants.

 

Part of my take from Saturday.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/30711050437/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/44926953744/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/31779437368/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/45601272772/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/44737204515/

 

45379 is being kept safe I see:

https://theisleofthanetnews.com/201...yLPeOPzRRNdz0xM6xvUbWupkBNpDksZirUbkQM2XvZCbg

 

This really is good news but I hope the rent is not too much of a strain on MHRPS funds. Chatting to some of its crew on the last weekend in traffic, it was suggested that significant work to its (original) frames is required (complete replacement was mentioned as an option) to ensure they are up to the rigours of regular MHR work. If that is the case (and I may have misinterpreted the comments) maybe it would be best if the engine was moved on to a railway which is less demanding?

 

The frames do require a lot of work, no 45379 was one of a batch built with thinner frames of a higher strength steel, the composition of which caused some problems when welded repairs to cracks were required. As a MHRPS rather than PLC loco it is intended to stay on the Mid Hants as far as I know (from recently produced loco strategy)
Mr Hosking seems to like the Mid Hants (presumably the Ropley overhaul of Bittern earned us some "brownie points" ) so I suspect the commercial arrangement for storage is equitable. NB I have no insider knowledge, this is my opinion only!

 

Selling the Black Five would probably cause a West Somerset level problem on the MHR.

 

Sending it on holiday also frees up valuable space while part of the line is out of action next year.

 

To add to that, 45379 still has the original pattern of horn clip attached only to the horn blocks, which contributed very strongly to causing frame cracks. Later Black Fives were built with something more similar to the Crabs, attached to the frame plates as well. The LMS developed standard techniques for cutting out sections of the frames and welding in new to convert the older engines, but I guess the steel composition on 45379 may be part of the reason she wasn't converted.

I suppose there's a preservation purity argument to be had as to whether it would be the right thing to also convert 45379, by modifying the existing frames or cutting new ones.

 

Indeed, i you visited the Mid Hants Autumn gala you would have seen the "Ropley Excavations" where two sidings are being constructed to give more storage space.

The Mid Hants looked good last night and "The Management" are due mine and Duty Druid's thanks for enabling us to stage a few interesting shots.....

All change at Alresford by Arle Images, on Flickr

 

A stunning set of pictures. The sunset shots are bloody brilliant.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

Some more photo's from yesterdays photo charter, thanks to Steve, Dave and the crews.