Your Letters and Photos

Following on from John Borrowdale's letter, here are three more pictures from Jan 15th, including one of the Black 5 at the back of the Countryman

The photograph of 31806 taken on the 15/01/12 by Watercress Belle chef Steve Morley must rate as one of the finest photographs I have ever seen taken on the Mid Hants Railway, since services started running back in 1977. I hope Steve submits this superb photograph to the national railway press so it can be appreciated by a wider audience. The second picture of the class 33 was also excellent, and I had not appreciated at the time what a fine sunset we had that evening from my side of the footplate on 45379 which I was on, tailing the class 33. I wonder whether he got a picture of the black five as well, although it would have been a tender view facing that way.

Barney (Loco Dept)

Hi Folks,

I thought you might like to see the attached photo of my two daughters at Medstead & Four Marks Station taken in October 1982.

You have made many wonderful improvements to the station since then with track and services restored and a fabulous atmosphere.

 My eldest daughter (then aged 8) now has three children of her own !

Keep up the good work, Best Wishes, Ken Livermore

There was a lovely sunset on Sunday 15th Jan and I took advantage of my PTS to take a couple of shots into the sun. First 31806 returning to Alton, then a few minues later 33053 topping and tailing the Countryman on its last trip to Alresford. Taken from the M4M end of Wanders curve, bumped into Lee Marlow and David Franklin who had the same idea as me!

Many thanks for making my partner Amanda's birthday a very special occasion on The Countryman service on the 15th January 2012.  The food and service was superb and the train really made the day.

May we take this opportunity to show our appreciation to  everyone who worked tirelessly to ensure that we were made to feel special thoughout our visit. Despite living in East Sussex, the journey was well worth it and  will definitely be coming again.

Most people have gone home when this happens.  After the train had passed, you could see the tail lamp for many minutes as it proceeded towards Ropley until it had rounded the curve by Wanders Crossing.  Spectacular in the dark with just the station and oil signal lamps shining out like beacons alongside the tail lamp and occasional firebox glare in the Hampshire blackness.

One of the many joys of being platform staff at M+4M!

Paul

To all at the Watercress Line

My family came to the 10.40 Santa Special on 22nd December and we had a really great day.

It was incredibly well organised.  The staff were friendly, helpful and obviously keen to join in the festive spirit.  Father Christmas was attentive and good with the children.  The presents to my grandchildren were of good quality and age appropriate.

A very special mention must be made to the two lads who went through the carriage encouraging everyone to participate in singing Christmas songs.  Not many children of their age would be brave enough to do this in front of an unknown audiance.

We have been coming to the Watercress Line since our children were small and we have always enjoyed the visits, but this one was exceptional.  Thank you to all the volunteers, keep up the good work.

Best wishes

The Griffin Family

Hi MHR

First of all a quick postscript to my email about the Autumn Steam Spectacular.  You may recall the picture of my son William and father-in-law Ron on the footplate of the Lord Nelson and how Ron had sold his model nearly 70 years ago.  Well, Father Christmas came up trumps and delivered a new Lord Nelson  for William and Ron to share.  You will see from the attached picture that it is in BR colours, so for the sake of authenticity William wondered if Lord Nelson could be repainted to match?

Also we attended the Christmas Leave event on 27 December (my birthday!) and had a fantastic day.  William is a big fan of Dad's Army and took the opportunity to dress up as Private Pike and make some new friends!  However the lure of 850 is always compelling as you will see amongst the attached photos taken by me and my wife Kay.

Thanks to all for a great day out (and a great way to spend a birthday)

Look forward to visiting again soon

John, Kay, William, Ron and Diane

Thanks for the letter John.  Lord Nelson is part of the National Collection based at York, they decide what livery the locomotive should appear. 

A Few of my own images from the wondeful event this Christmas. A fabulous time was clearly had by all. More of the images I shot can be found at 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150572809229258.438467.775749257&type=1&l=a61c8afe16

Hello

I remember very well watchings the trains at Alresford making practice runs before "insurance" was in place which meant  that passengers could not yet be carried. I do not know if that was the truly accurate reason but it sufficed.

My next memory is very sad; I was sitting in my car at Alresford Station when news came over the radio that Lord Mountbatten had been killed in an explosion off the coast of Ireland. It is strange that we often can remember where we were when news is received.

I hope that the MHR continues for many more years of steaming to stand as a tribute to all the hard work put in by so many.

David H