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From: Matthew Oakley Sent: 17 December 2007 12:37 Subject: 60019 Bittern Hi Tony Today I saw Bittern on the mainline for the first time today. Saw her at Aldershot - passed through at around 12.04. Cheers Matt   (Matt is one of the youngest on the footplate crews roster at MHR  ... tw)

(mp4 movie, 2MB)
This movie was downloaded more than 800 times in the first 30 hours it was available! Word gets about pdq these days ... tw

Both Ben Z and Dave Z are MHR loco shed volunteers and rostered MHR footplate crew  ... tw

From: Jonathan & Alison Frater Sent: 15 December 2007 16:53 Subject: Santa Special 2007 Dear MHR  Thought that I'd drop a quick note to say that we really enjoyed ourselves on the 1st December on one of the first Santa Specials and Santa was really there too.  Look.... "Wadebridge" looked splendid as well.  Jonathan Frater

From: John Cannon Sent: 11 December 2007 17:24 To: Tony Wood Subject: Alresford Station Information Office Lunch Hi Tony  Alresford Information Office Staff taken today at The Ship, Bishops Sutton, where we met for a Christmas lunch - good it was as well! Regards John Cannon   (When you ring MHR, these are the volunteers who answer your questions  ... tw)

  * 34102 is really 34105; it was changed for an end of steam event 10 years ago (?) and never changed back  ... tw

Mon 03/12/2007 11:24
It is not the company's intention to allow Bodmin to join the row of 'unloved'.
Should it not be repaired it will be kept in good condition until the hire contract expires in 2014, when it reverts to its private owner.
Colin Chambers, Managing Director, Mid Hants Railway Ltd 

From: Tom Cave Sent: 02 December 2007 09:08 Subject: Santa Special Hi This is the first Santa Special train  from Alresford yesterday. Tom Cave

From: David Charlesworth Sent: 01 December 2007 19:33 Subject: Santa 34007 Tony  Santa Special trains have started and here is Wadebridge on the 1.30 departure from Alton.  Regards  David Charlesworth

From: Steve Clark Sent: 01 December 2007 18:48 Subject: Photo of Bittern at Holme Crossing near Peterborough taken this morning at 8:27 Hi Tony   Thought you and your members might like to look at this photo taken this morning. Enjoy  Steve Clark NYMR Member: sorry but can't join every Railway; have to say though that your web site is the best  Thank you for your kind comment, Steve, and for the really good photo!  ... tw

From: Cathryn Bennett Sent: 01 December 2007 18:36 Subject: Some pics for you from York Hi Tony  After a quick wander round The Shambles we headed back to the NRM. It was 12:50 pm so you can imagine our surprise when rounding the corner we came face to boiler with Bittern! (Not due in until 1:18 p.m!) Obviously she generated a LOT of admiring glances and much taking of photos and videos. Also in was Rood Ashton Hall who was also getting her own share of attention, but much more once Bittern moved into the sidings out of general view!!

I was chatting to the firemen on the footplate and they told me Bittern had performed: "Beautifully" on her way up; I don't remember the gent's name (I think it was John?) anyway he is in the pic I am attaching with Josie on the footplate. Please thank him again for being so generous with his time would you please when you next see him?  We nipped into the NRM and told Mallard her sister had come to visit her. Cathryn Bennett

Happy to help, Bernard and you are in no way a 'nuisance' !   Mr Myers didn't write back and I do not retain e-mail addresses other than those of photographers whose photos I have used on the website.
We'll cast this fly and see if we hook a fish.  d:-)   ... tw

From: Dave Zehetmayr Sent: 01 December 2007 09:12 Subject: Bittern I went to see Bittern this morning at 0800h, at St Neots. It sounded and looked great. She had a good pace by the time she got to me.  DZ   Dave is a railwayman carrying a valid PTS  ... tw

From: Peter Searle Sent: 30 November 2007 21:56 Subject: Bittern escapes on to the main line  Photographed here at Green Lane between Farnham and Aldershot 30th November 2007 Peter Searle

Sent: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:23:59 +0000
Hello Richard
We are in the middle of a major boiler check at present for 92212 and you can follow progress at:
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/tw/index.htm  and  http://www.watercressline.co.uk/tw/pages/92212bo2.htm
Also, http://www.watercressline.co.uk/tw/pages/92212boi.htm shows earlier work to replace crown stays and repair a leaking dry pipe joint at the superheater header.
So a ride is not currently an option, I’m afraid, but you’d be welcome to come and have a look during working hours; just collar someone in a blue boilersuit and ask them to take you to see Andy Netherwood. He may not have much time to spend with you though  ... tw
 

From: Richard Webb
Sent: 29 November 2007 13:37
Thanks for a response. I will keep checking the site for her progress, but could you possibly drop me a line to let me know when she is expected back on the tracks and dates she is running etc - would love to plan a day out around her!!! 
Good luck to you all on the rebuild, hope it all goes smoothly.

Sent: 29 November 2007 14:41
No, Richard.
I am old and forgetful: my cunning plan is to deal with everything as soon as action is necessary so I don’t need to remember much.
I have provided you with links to webpages showing day by day progress with #92212 (and the other locos at MHR) – you only need to check those pages at intervals to find all the information you seek - that is the best I can do towards providing a personal service to the 60,000+ regular browsers of our website.
BTW, #92212 is not undergoing a ‘rebuild’; this is simply routine maintenance of a steam loco    ... tw

d:-)     ... tw
 

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From: Paul Perton
Sent: 23 November 2007 15:29
Subject: Interested spectating
Tony
I sit here on the False Bay coast, watching the South Atlantic pound inshore and wait for Thursdays when I know you post the weekly update to the MHR Web site. The actual restoration of the giants your narratives describe is very compelling.
Still, it is winter in the UK and I have no doubt that many people reading this would gladly swap their abode for mine, but I'm smarter than that and not offering ;-)
What is this all about then?
Not a great deal, save that I visited the MHR earlier this year and loved what I saw. I brought my father (82 at the time) and parked him in his wheelchair on the platform at both Ropley and Alresford while I wandered and shot photographs. It was the weekend before Bittern was fully rolled-out to the public (20 May) and I watched in awe at the amount of work, dedication and love that had brought this dream to fruition.
Given a wish, I'd ask for more photographs and explanations of the preservation effort, more specific details of the locos you work on, how you plan to move ahead and a map (please!) of the line and what additional extension opportunities might exist.
I think I'd also welcome the chance to make some kind of contribution that wasn't necessarily monetary. Labour might be a hassle considering Cape Town to London is an 11 hour flight! Perhaps some assistance in managing and running your Web site might be an acceptable idea... 
Anyway, that's probably all pie-in-the-sky as the team at MHR seems to have all the bases covered.
Here are a couple of pics I shot that day. I tend to specialise in what I call Industrial Archaeology, which takes a slightly different tack to most casual/serious shooters. If you have space and interest, please feel free to use them. I have plenty more and am thinking another visit next year might not be a such bad idea. The local pubs are pretty good too. 
Paul Perton

Sent: 23 November 2007 19:24
Hello Paul
I used Google Earth and found False Bay, Cape Town.
I very much appreciate your comments because the website is just me, though we now have a bolt-on commercial ticketing website -  currently featuring a snowman - which has eased my burden considerably by being updated direct by our Reservations and Marketing departments.
What did your father think of MHR?
I update the main website whenever there’s something to add – which normally is several times a day – but the most obvious changes follow my visits to work in the loco shed.
How much of the website have you explored? (It is currently just short of 9000 files and 1.4GB so that would take you a while!) I ask because I get frequent mail asking for details of something that is already on the website – that’s why I recently added the search box on the main Index page.
The philosophy of the technical side of our website aims to show browsers what they would be able to see for themselves if they could visit and be shown round, or things they might not be able to see because of access or safety problems (e.g. inside fireboxes, boilers or the inspection pit.)
The large map of the line you wanted is linked from our How To Get To MHR page and of course you could follow our line’s route easily using GoogleEarth – “Alresford, Hampshire, UK” is a good starting point and you can even follow the disused route via Itchen Abbas to Winchester. We have neither plans nor need to extend the line; it’s just about right for a preserved heritage railway, we reckon.
Thank you for your offer of assistance with our website. I reckon any involvement of others to work on our main site would complicate matters rather than help, but thank you for the offer.
Have you thought of becoming a member of the Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society? You’d then receive our quarterly magazine: “Mid Hants News” which precisely aims to grant your stated “wish”.
I like your photos - two are shown above. You may have seen that the Travelling Post Office whose corrosion you photographed (so cruelly!) has since been sold and delivered from MHR (9th Oct.)  Best regards from the Northern Hemisphere.
Tony Wood

Sent: 25 November 2007 07:25
Tony
My pa is a man of few words. The MHR was a good day out for both of us. I've looked at the links you sent and thank you especially for the map. Membership is also an idea - why didn't I think of that?
Paul Perton

From: Kenneth Grinstead Sent: 10 November 2007 22:27 Subject: Sponsored Walk Hi Tony  Derek and Robin checking in a sponsored walker.  With very best wishes  As always  Ken      REPORT ON THE 2007 SPONSORED WALK   Photos

Thanks Phil. It's there for wheel re-profiling following brake testing for main line certification!  ... tw

From: Steve Upton
Sent: 10 November 2007 12:09
Subject: Botaurus at Wimbledon Park
Dear Tony 
Thanks for posting the link to my site a few days ago - the shots of Botaurus seem to have caused quite some interest. For my part it's always nice to have something out of the ordinary to do on an otherwise dull late turn; and shunting anything with a 4VEP is a very rare activity on today's plastic railway. 
I did mention the Mid Hants in my blog entry, although it seems most of your readership are only interested in the pictures - ah well, I tried! 
Would you be good enough to point out that I also have several galleries containing pictures of "Sherwood Forrester"'s visit to WD, again for tyre-turning. Richard Faithfull, one of your drivers and one of my shift managers, was the man in charge as she was trundled around the yard. You'll find the galleries dated 19th and 25th September 2006.... 
Well, my thanks for all the extra traffic.
All the best 
Steve Upton

Thank you Colin. I'd hoped the photo explained, but your explanation is much better and more comprehensive. Did you like the movie?  ... tw      More

The movie is great. Now the wife has a idea of what I get up to at night. Would have been down there with the lads if I wasn't assisting putting the stress back in the down main fast at Hampton Court junction. Look forward to riding over the new Ropley track layout on next weekend's diner.
Regards
Colin.

From: Nigel Wilson Sent: 01 November 2007 21:22 Subject: Wizard Week Hello Tony A little late but I'd just like to thank all at MHR for such a splendid Wizard Week event. We brought some friends this year on the way home from a week away and I think they were very impressed. Didn't get chance to take many photos but I've attached a few. Favourite event I think were the lovely little bats. Best regards Nigel, Michael (10), Philip (7) & Susan Wilson. PS: #35005 did sound good out of Alton as well: Philip and I enjoyed it from the front coach while Michael and his friend Jeremy were engrossed in the colouring books from the 'goodie bags'.       One   Two   Three   Thank you Nigel. Fewer photos arrived from Wizard Week this year   ... tw

Easy: Up is to London, Down is from London. Where this is unclear (e.g. some cross-country lines) a convention is agreed  ... tw
 

Just come any days you can, Harry; you'll enjoy it.
The P-Way lot are good company and you'll be joining in the ribbing before you know it.
(They'll give lots of useless advice on how to deal with a "nagging wife" too!)  d:-)  ... tw
 

Sent: 19 November 2007 21:18
Hi Tony
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the trackwork at Ropley the other week. Having never been along to help and as such knowing no one and nothing I was amazed how welcoming and helpful everyone was. There was a great sense of teamwork and community to say nothing of the active banter!
There is so much to learn about P-Way work and so many people willing to impart their knowledge in a friendly and patient way by and large
without the need for inflated egos.
It was also a great feeling to ride over the rails I helped to lay for the first time on last Saturdays RAT (albeit partially diesel hauled!) a real feeling of: "I helped put that there."
If there is anyone wondering whether to come down to help at the railway, I can say with confidence that there really is nothing to be scared of and that there is much to learn but most of all there is as much to gain as there is to give.
Frank was fairly sure there was a PTS course coming up: I would be very interested in doing it but I would be unlikely to be able to give much time until the early part of next year but any time I can give, I happily will.
Well done to all involved. A good job well done.
Regards,
Fred Harrington

From: Phillip Hathaway Sent: 28 September 2007 21:01 Subject: 21st Sept Gala Tony, Friday 21st September 07 of the Gala was very special because one of our firemen was celebrating a landmark birthday: Belinda Jacob (Billie) was 21 on that day. Unfortunately Billie's booked engine (Bittern) was not able to attended the Gala, but this gave the opportunity for her to come out on her favourite engine 34016 Bodmin. As booked fireman I prepared a headcode disc with SPL 21 on. Billie was unaware until we were sat at Alton on the first service train when the disc was presented to her on the front of the engine; the photos are of:  Billie and her disc; Billie and her crew Richard Faithful and Alex Taylor; and Billie and me. We all really enjoyed the day. For anyone wondering what the 3 disc headcode was it is actually  the Channel Island Boat Train, quite often my usual headcode. Yours Phill Hathaway MHR fireman Autumn 2007 Gala Report

From: James Cummins Sent: 25 September 2007 23:15 Subject: MHR September Gala Dear Tony  Just wanted to say what a super job you guys did for the September Gala. It was certainly a sight to see: three working Bulleids together, the Rapier breakdown crane and the freight train in action again - like they were on the Southern 40th Gala in July - made the day well worth the effort. Shame about the weather though. A good job, well done!  Regards  James Cummins

From: Frank Taylor Sent: 23 September 2007 19:55 Subject: Dyslexic shunters  Hi Tony I don't know if this photo is any use - the Alton shunters were having a bit of fun on Sunday. I thought it could go under the heading: "I hope they get the coaches in the right order !" Rgds Frank Taylor (Alton Porter/Guard) Thank you Frank. Not pulling my plonker, are you?  ... tw Hi Tony Not pulling your plonker: we were just having a bit of fun. Rgds Frank

*If I spot anything of the kind, the result would certainly not be included on this website. Vérité, seulement là vérité.
Ours is primarily a website of record.  Frequently, submitted photos manage to combine that with artistic excellence - a (HUGE) bonus   ... tw

Video by Michael (now aged 10) and Philip (7)  (4.8MB)
Michael is reliable as always although he was slightly spooked by the new grille on our favourite bridge at Alton. Philip is still variable, his shot of Repton goes a bit wrong in places but as the sound is so good I've left it in the video. After that he comes up with a great shot of 34007 disappearing into the smoke (end shot).  Hopefully back for Wizard Week...
Nigel

From: Warwick Falconer
Sent: 17 September 2007 14:46
Hi Geoff 
Pleased is an understatement; thrilled would be a better word. I have been on a lot of photo charters in the UK and abroad and I cannot recall ever getting that many pictures in such a short space of time. We've had good individual days that have been as rewarding but to get that much in 2½ hours was just brilliant!
Please pass our thanks on to the rest of your crew, we cannot thank you enough. 
See you at the Gala. 
All the best
Warwick

To arrange your group's photo-charter, contact: reservations@watercressline.co.uk

From: Jim Russell Sent: 17 September 2007 08:16 Subject: HAS ANYONE GOT ONE OF THESE?  Hi Tony I was wondering if one of our viewers may have a Sykes release key that they would be prepared to donate for use in the new Ropley Signalbox. The key is used in MHR signal boxes as a Backlock Release key - full explanation can be supplied if required. A donated key, or one that we could buy would be much appreciated and would help to ensure that the new Ropley Signalbox, which will commence operations in the near future, is as authentic as we can possibly make it. Regards Jimbo From: Jim Russell Sent: 17 September 2007 22:54 These keys, in a totally different scenario to that used on the MHR, were also known as Sykes's Suicide Keys because Signalmen were provided with an almost foolproof method of signalling known as Sykes Lock & Block, the weak link being the release key given should the system fail. Of course Signalmen never make mistakes only the equipment so when the equipment locked up the Signalman would assume that a failure had occurred and use the Suicide Key to release the signalling - a collision almost always ensued. As I say the MHR scenario is quite different: only the key is the same which is used for a different purpose. Regards Jimbo

From: Matt Allen Sent: 15 September 2007 23:33 Subject: Photo Charter Today Hi Tony Following on from Jon's great video: The photo charter today was the first photo charter at the Mid Hants for four years, something that was arranged by Warwick Falconer and myself.  And how kind was the weather??!!  We were very very lucky. I'd like to thank the crew: Geoff, Bob and Chris who where very accommodating.  We had 25 people on the charter from all over the UK, including some guys who came toMHR from Liverpool.  For some of the participants it was their first visit to the MHR: the response was very positive and people said they would definitely be back. In a way today was the first revenue earning run of the freight set. The pictures are a testament to all the people who have put in a lot of effort to restore the various wagons. I've attached a few pics - the full set is here  We're hoping this is the first of a series of photo charters at the MHR. Regards Matt

From: Mandy Colwell Sent: 09 September 2007 21:51 Subject: Photo of your train drivers taken on Saturday 8th Sept. Hi Tony  We were visiting Alresford yesterday and had a look around the station (looking forward to taking a trip soon too!)  I took a few photos and I really like this one of your drivers, so thought I should share it with you.  I hope you/they like it!  Regards  Mandy Colwell Pagham, nr Bognor Regis Thank you Mandy.  I'll send them your mail and file full-size   ... tw

From: Ben Behetmayr Sent: 01 September 2007 00:13 Subject: Bittern Main Line Just watched the A4 depart Southall under its own power. Looked a picture!  Here's hoping she passes this stage of the test!  BZ   See also   ... tw   From: Alan Daniel Sent: 03 September 2007 21:52 Subject: Bittern's first test run on the main line Tony  Thought you might be interested in this link.  Nice shot of Bittern at Slough on her first main line test run during the early hours of 1st Sept. Alan MHR Signalmen's Rostering Officer Latest information

You can see the coal tender through the walkway in one of the photos, but to clear any doubt the yellow gate and air-brake control are at the tail end of the water carrier.
The corridor ends of both tenders are central as with coaches.
The through corridor on the coal tender is offset to the right, but this requires counterbalancing weights to partially negate the corridor void’s effect on weight distribution  ... tw

I thought it was all pretty self-explanatory, Steve.
It’s just a water carrier to extend the range of Bittern: the water carried in the normal tender is only sufficient for about 120 miles.
It was originally built for The Flying Scotsman and was originally crimson to be used with The Duchess of Hamilton.
It has a corridor so that the crew can be changed en route.
The air-brake control at the rear would allow control of the air brake from the rear of the water carrier but I doubt it would ever be used for that.
Its buffer beam will be painted red.
The coal tender buck-eye will be painted blue.
The support coach was also from The Flying Scotsman VSOE work and has been T-cut and polished.    ... tw

From: Ben Zehetmayr
Sent: 28 August 2007 00:35
Subject: Bittern at Southall
Not to be picky but the secondary tender was indeed originally built for Scotsman but later painted crimson. The original tender body which Scotsman pulled in the late 60s and in America was simply a highside corridor tender, which up until purchased by Alan Pegler for a water carrier had been coupled to 60009 'Union of South Africa'. The high sided corridor tender was modified so what would have normally been the cab end was blanked off and a coach corridor end fitted to allow access to the engine's corridor tender. Little else was done with it. I understand the coal space wasn't even blanked off so couldn't be used for water - even the cupboards were left.  
These tender frames were sold to the A1 group but were later sold back. A new tender body was manufactured with the corridor through the centre. This was built at Southall for use with Scotsman but later bought by Jeremy Hoskins before Scotsman was sold.  
The tender was lent to the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust for use behind Duchess of Sutherland (6233) and hence painted crimson lake, but it was never used by them and came back to Southall for repainting prior to use with Bittern. So the frames of the second tender have done some miles, including to the USA and back, Midland Railway Centre and back.
By the way there is also an ex London Underground whistle at the back, air operated from the rear of the secondary tender, to help when shunting.
BZ

Panoramic image of Bittern at Ropley - this has a fish-eye effect (deliberate) as I wanted the locomotive's name "in your face"
Canadian Pacific - a panoramic image so I could get the station name in as well

From: Stephen Hoadley Sent: 26 August 2007 22:50 Dear Tony  I remember the loco well, from way before its Mid-Hants days. I often saw it from my school desk in Hamble when it stood in for the regular Hunslet on the oil tank traffic to and from the Shellmex depot.  Anyhow, this isn’t it, but it is very similar and maybe someone might be able to help further.  Regards  Stephen Hoadley
From: Andy Crespin Sent: 27 August 2007 23:20  I have found this pic of it 'preserved' at the Rutland Railway. A lot of work will be needed to get it back in working order. For those whose memories may be jerked into action it was  No.21, Hudswell Clarke, D707 / 1950.  Andy

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