Mid Hants Railway

A trip was taken to the Mid Hants Railway arriving at Alton by rail on 16 April for the simple cross platform connection into the Watercressline.  The full three train service was in operation and there was significant decoration to support the Thomas week.  Consequently four locos were in steam, 850 Lord Nelson waiting at Alton took us down to Alresford.

Currently on loan from the NRM and about two years left on the boiler ticket at present.  Later left Alresford behind 92212 owned by Jeremy Hosking which took us up to Ropley where the main Thomas activity was underway.

Thomas – in reality a Hunslet Austerity built in 1952 works number 3781 and originally a saddle tank; but now with side tanks to look a little like the E2 class which Thomas represents – hauls a coach and a brake van between the Ropley platform and yard, managing two return trips in the 40 minute service interval.  On the three train service trains cross at both Ropley and Medstead and Four Marks.

Return to Alton was behind Black 5 45379 (Mid Hants RPS owned) which judging by both the smoke exhaust visible as shadows on the ground and the noises being generated was steaming very well to breast the summit of the Alps before the drop down into Alton.  Virtually no sign of the former line to Basingstoke is visible.

Travel Details

Sandhurst    09:22
North Camp 09:33
North Camp walk to Ash Vale
Ash Vale     10:14
Aldershot change train
Alton          10:37
Alton 11:20 850 Lord Nelson
Alresford 11:59
Alresford 12:55 92212
Ropley 13:03
Ropley 13:43 45379
Alton 14:28
Alton 14:45
Aldershot 15:38
Ash 15:45
Ash 16:24
Sandhurst 16:39

Bluebell Railway

I had the opportunity to visit the Bluebell Railway on 9 April, using the relatively new East Grinstead station having arrived by train for the first time.  The East Grinstead station is quite simple, a single platform with a run round loop with a Southern train stabled the other side of the fence.

A pleasant sight was waiting –  the beautifully restored Met set (with a couple of interlopers to cope with the traffic on offer) headed by H class (ex-SECR) 263 which was built in 1905.  The Met set looked fantastic in the sunshine and I had the opportunity to ride in Composites 368 (built by Ashburys in 1898) and 412 (built by Cravens in 1900) during the day.  Added to the rake was LCDR 3360 in SECR livery. The coach originates from 1889 and so is even older than the main Met set – it was in use as a bungalow before recovery and now provides wheelchair accommodation.  Most compartments were in use.

As it is currently a two train service the other loco in use was S15 847 hauling a rake of Mark 1 coaches.  847 gave a very nice performance as it entered Horsted Keynes from Sheffield Park easing off before some atmospheric sounds and exhaust as it came up the last of the rise. Similarly it delighted aurally ascending to Holden summit on the way to East Grinstead.

The volunteers around the line were welcoming – even those wandering past were giving cheery greetings and there are various guides around to help explain matters.  Also the coaches not in use at Horsted Keynes all look as though they have been the subject of extensive care and maintenance and the entire line looked a picture.

My first visit to the Bluebell was almost but not quite 50 years ago, I realised as I sat waiting for the next train at Horsted Keynes – so long that I cannot remember what was providing haulage then, but the photographic evidence implies small tanks – a far cry from the larger locos needed today.

What has changed dramatically are the facilities – much improved engine shed and even more the carriage and wagon repair shop at Horsted Keynes now allows the visitor to watch restoration in progress and has great explanatory photos of the items being rebuilt – in one case at least it seems little more than an underframe and a very large number of pieces of wood, together with video explanations.  Outside some of the completed work gleamed in the sunlight.

One oddity was that unlike most railways they did not appear to have available a current book or leaflet detailing the rolling stock collection; historically they produced such a document but perhaps they now feel that they provide more up to date information on the web, where I must admit the detail available on rebuilds on restoration is excellent.

Travel details:

Sandhurst     09:22
Redhill          10:25
Redhill          10:37
East Croydon 10:54
East Croydon 11:10
East Grinstead 11:47
East Grinstead 12:00
Sheffield Park  12:47
Sheffield Park  13:30
Horsted Keynes 13:45
Horsted Keynes 15:00
East Grinstead  15:26
East Grinstead  15:37
Sandhurst       18:21
At East Croydon Cross platform into Pomo Hbr / Bognor to Redhill
2 min connection into 16:32 to Reading due Sandhurst 17:35