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