Previous Correspondence

From: Tony Kerwood
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 02:59:52 EDT
Subject: Advanced Footplate Experience
Hi Tony
I have been a working volunteer in the Traffic Department with the Watercress line for a good many years and have the long service badge as proof. Although I have been on the footplate many times I have never had the pleasure of driving or firing before yesterday. I have left hints about the driving and firing experience around the house for a number of years so I was more than delighted when for my last birthday the present from my wife was the footplate experience. I had no expectations for the day except that I knew I would enjoy myself.
My wife Diane is not a railway fan and I was very pleased that she agreed to accompany me. I expected her to be bored. She wasn't, and I have you to thank for that. Diane had no idea that she would be taking part working along side you as guard for some of the time. 'I don't wave off trains' she said, 'or do the brake test, but when Tony said to me do it, I just had to. It was great'.
I for my part am still at least a foot off the ground with a smile from ear to ear. Mike Burke and Rod Tye were great encouragers as instructors for driving and firing. What do I remember most? Well it has to be sitting in the drivers seat and lifting the regulator for the first time. Just a gentle lift to the mark Mike had made. Then this great beast of a 9F moved. Awesome. Thank you all for a splendid birthday treat. 
Regards
Tony

We share your happiness, Tony. Thank you for taking the trouble to write such very kind words (and for your photo of Diana giving the right away) ... tw

From: Jim Russell
Subject: RE: VIDEO
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 2003 20:22:12 +0100
Hello Tony
This is my soon-to-be stepdaughter Ellie having a go at Signalmen's rules in Ropley signalbox today
Ellie is 12, recently joined the Rangers, and as well as helping in the West Country Buffet seems to show a flair for Signalling
Regards
Jimbo

Movie   394KB (1st June 2003): Jim Russell

From: Roger Traviss
To: Tony Wood
Subject: Canadian steam video download
Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 10:36:28 -0700
Hi Tony
Nice download at this URL of ex CPR 2816 and her run across the Canadian prairies     (... I had a look and agree with Roger's comments  ..  tw)
http://www.dmxconsulting.com/download.htm  (6MB)
The voice drones but the video is nice
A three or four minute download
Cheers
Roger T.
Vancouver Island

From: A.Chalmers-Stevens
Subject: 35018 British India Line
Date: Mon, 26 May 2003 20:30:21 +0100
Hi Tony
Thought you might like to see 35018 British India Line settled into her new home at Tradecroft Industrial Estate, Portland.
Pictured today, Mon 26th. The loco is situated in a compound surrounded by high fencing. However, there is a large bank behind the site so a clear shot was possible without trespass onto private land. Also on site was the boiler of the S160.
Keep up the good work on the website
Regards
Andrew Chalmers-Stevens

Gradients near Saunderton

From: Graham M.Smith
Subject: Daylight Countryman 25th May 2003
Date: Mon, 26 May 2003 13:33:36 +0100
Dear Tony
I would just like to thank the Mid-Hants and Daylight Railtours for a splendid day out. The friendliness and professionalism of your volunteers added to our enjoyment. The meal, its unhurried pace and surroundings were excellent. I had forgotten just how comfortable the MKII SO coaches are. Splendid run with 73096 making all the right inspiring sights, sounds and pace. Twenty-five mph on preserved lines is such a waste of potential.
Please can you convey my thanks to the driver Brian Dudley-Ward for the courtesy shown to Cameron, my five year old son. Cameron used to want to be an engine driver, now he thinks he is one.
Brian also expressed gratitude to the Mid-Hants for the superb condition of 73096 and the assistance of the support crew. I strongly advise anyone who is thinking of booking a similar trip to do so as soon as possible*, you won't regret it.
Kind regards
Graham M. Smith

* If they can get a booking on one: they get fully booked so quickly I think the word got around.  Thank you for your kind words.  .. tw

From: Clive Holliday
Subject: Re:73096 on Sun 25.5.03
Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 17:41:45 +0100
Tony
Attached picture: 73096 storming past Ditcham TP Hut on the climb to Buriton Tunnel
Clive

From: Rob Forster
Subject: Some photos...
Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 19:45:14 +0100
Tony
I was down at Ropley this morning as the Daylight Countryman was preparing to leave, double heading (Ian Cooper driving) with the Ivatt (Neil Davis driving) up to Alton and for once, I had the camera in the boot of the car!
You can see that Rod struck a pose - he saw the camera from a mile off, it was quite far - full zoom - so I'm quite pleased with the photo. There is also another 'natural'? one where Rod and David Zehtmayr were having a chat.
I've trimmed the file sizes down for you so that they weren't too large to e-mail but still fairly high image size.
Regards
Rob

From: Brian Simmons
Subject: Track grinder
Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 19:53:33 +0100
Hi Tony
I don't know if this is the correct name for the shiny yellow monster pictured at Alresford today, but if you want a pic, here it is
The wife and I have been busy in the West Country Buffet
Regards
Brian

Grinder leaves MHR

From: Michael Pearson
Subject: 35018 British India Line
Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 16:21:14 +0100
Tony
I was interested to see the picture of British India Line leaving the Mid-Hants. I remember starting as a volunteer in 1980, when I joined the small team just starting the restoration of the loco at Ropley. There was no shed at the time and the work was being done in what was left of the polythene tent that had been vacated by 34016 Bodmin, after its initial restoration job was completed in 1979. Unfortunately the wind had taken its toll on the tent, which was not as weatherproof as it might have been and we sometimes got a bit wet. It was even more fun when the frost and snow arrived. To keep warm we used to fill large perforated tin cans with hot coals and have them by us, inside what was left of the tent.
Much of the work involved removing thick scaly rust from the frames and applying rust-inhibiting primer. Needle guns were unknown in those days, the main tool being what we called a chipping hammer. This was nothing more than a small cross-pein hammer, wielded repeatedly to dislodge the offending scale.
There are others who will remember those days and who, like me, looked forward to being involved in a full restoration job from start to finish. Alas, it is now not to be
Best regards
Mike Pearson

From: Malcolm Wilton-Jones
Subject: 73096 at Winchfield this evening
Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 21:11:33 +0000
I have put some pictures on my web site taken during the water stop at Winchfield this evening. It took just a little over 10 minutes so a slightly late arrival turned into an early departure. The light was appalling, the exposure was 1/4 second!, except the first where I used 1/60 to stop the movement then used the computer to lighten an almost black picture. http://steam_2003.tripod.com/
Regards
Malcolm Wilton-Jones

Brilliant to get them to me so soon, Malcolm. TYVM ..tw
 
Photo-montage of the Winchfield waterstop (evening of 21st May 2003) by Henry O'Dwyer

From: James Mayl
Subject: Diesel Weekend
Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 21:40:52 +0100
Tony
All my photos from the weekend are available here
Hopefully I will also get a few videos up later in the week. I can provide photos for the MHR site as well if you would like a few more
My 'new' website containing all my photos and videos since 2001 is www.mayl.co.uk.
Regards
James Mayl

Thanks James. Nice pics!  .. tw        See also    and

From: Leo Kennedy
To: Tony Wood
Subject: Re: Volunteering
Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 22:39:06 +1000
Tony
Just a note to say "Thank-you" for the hospitality accorded me during my stay.
All too short, but it did allow me to gain a much better understanding of the effort that goes on behind the scenes to keep the locos in traffic. Frank and Clive were especially friendly and helpful, looking after me and making sure I got to experience a number of different activities, including working on Bittern and a trip out on the 9F - sensational.
Please pass on my thanks to Nigel for his efforts with the accommodation coach - a real home away from home.
I have great memories of my time at Mid-Hants, especially lunch around the table in Ropley Manor with all the guys.
Not sure if the digital photo turned out, but would appreciate a copy if it did.
Please make sure that if anyone is thinking of coming down to Melbourne, they let us know so we can extend the same hospitality.
Regards
Leo Kennedy
Melbourne, Australia

Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 01:16:18 +0000
Subject: Douglas ...11th May
From: PHIL HARRIS
Dear Tony
As you may know, "Douglas" was in charge of "proper" trains today.
Here is a view of the train in the vicinity of Wanders Curve (between Ropley and Medstead and Four Marks, for those readers who are not too familiar with the layout of the line). No wonder "Douglas" was making rather more black smoke than he would have liked; that naughty Mr.Geoff Bailey had attached his diesel to the back of the train for a free ride! I took the photo whilst taking a break from cutting grass on the embankment....
"Douglas" did a big favour for a flight of swallows which are now resident in the locality.....
Within a few minutes of that black smoke "fumigating" the oak tree in the background, the swallows were practically hovering over the oak, feeding on the insects which were evicted from the tree!
....back to the Wanders Curve embankment!....many readers will be aware that this can be seen by motorists on the A31; the view over the last few years has been dramatically improved, predominately through the sole efforts of Roy Gudge....I am a "new boy", having only spent about 15 months helping out. Roy has spent thousands of hours cutting back vegetation (some of it 20ft high hazel and blackthorn) and carrying out "routine" strimming of the residual shoots.
We now have a vista, both from the road and railway, of which I think we can feel proud.....However there is a minor problem! We still have a few areas of "bald chalk";( see photo again)....
This morning I was offered a supply of green paint....( "genuine bargain/authentic colour, Guv "...) with which to complete the job.
Reluctantly, we declined the offer, and will suffer a few more seasons of maintainance in order to "get it right".
Anyone want to come along and lend a hand?
Regards
Phil Harris

From: Takehiko Satoh
To: Tony Wood
Subject: Gratitude and a report
Date: Mon, 5 May 2003 10:45:48 +0900
Hi Tony
We visited Britain for the first time
From April 24 to the 26th, we stayed at Alton hotel and visited Watercress Line
Our son likes Thomas the tank engine. He is 6 years old, and he is a first grader in an elementary school. His name is Kohta Satoh. He is playing the child actor in Japan now. We are not good at English, but we called on Britain only for this purpose. We are going to visit also in the summer of this year
These   photographs   were   taken at Thomas event (April 2003).
It was very pleasant this time.
Thank you very much.
Kohta Satoh & Takehiko Satoh (Father)
Tokyo Japan

Thank you for taking the trouble to write, Takehiko, and for your kind words and photographs. I hope to meet you in August  ... tw

From: Martin Beckett
To: Tony Wood
Subject: 73096
Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 11:05:50 +0100
Hi Tony
Just seen the pics of 73096 on 30 April and by the look of the weather I'm glad I didn't bother going out for it that day.
Incidentally Malcolm Wilton's shots describe the train as climbing from Saunderton to P. Ris. though the location looks to be on the single line section after the double track separates. I don't have the gradient profiles to hand but surely that is over the summit and therefore on the downgrade? What we used to call Saunderton Bank was mainly the climb from the site of West Wycombe station up to and not far past Saunderton. I had a run behind 34092 City of Wells about 15 years ago when the loco exceeded 2000 edhp on this climb, thus equalling the power output which 34006 achieved in the 1948 Loco Exchanges. After Saunderton station the gradients certainly ease for northbound trains and from what I remember of my early spotting days at P. Ris just post-war there was a descent as you approached that place.
P. Ris brings back many memories for me. Used to go there visiting relatives every Easter and Summer Hols. Spent hours on the station spotting, it was a very impressive place with 'Kings' on the Wolverhampton expresses rushing past that huge North signal box. There were 4 tracks through the station in those days. Sometimes we even saw A3's on Marylebone - Sheffields though usually they went via Aylesbury. The North box is still there I believe. Saw things like J11's, Austerity 2-8-0's still with their War Dept. 77XXX numbers, had footplate rides on new L1 2-6-4 tanks as they ran round after arriving from Marylebone, rode the Aylesbury and Oxford via Thame lines etc etc. Biggest regret was I never got round to riding the Watlington branch which used to run into a bay platform on the down side. The loco was often a nearly new 74XX pannier and at other times a 57XX.
Anyway although I'm well late with 73096 pics here are 2 more, from trips in March. These were on my roll film camera and had to wait for the film to finish before I could get them processed. Sorry!  Ash Jct 27/3  Buriton 23/3
Martin

Malcolm Wilton-Jones replies:
Date: Mon, 5 May 2003 12:18:00 +0100
My pictures of 73096 on 30th April were taken from the bridge which crosses both tracks approximately 1 mile north of Saunderton station (grid reference 807997). At this point the 2 lines are separated by a line of bushes several feet wide but still parallel to each other. The second track can just be seen in the corners of the photos. They diverge about half a mile further north. The loco was still working hard as it passed so I assumed it was still climbing and I thought the summit was near the tunnel on the up line, about a mile further north. The down line, which the train was on, has a slightly different profile. Perhaps someone "in the know" can now tell us exactly where the summits are and what the gradient is just south of the bridge.
As for the weather, it wasn't that bad, the sun was shining a few minutes before and came out again afterwards - had it been out when the train passed we would have been looking in to it. A drawback of many digital cameras is the lack of proper manual controls and poor focussing of moving objects and a single switch locks the focus and exposure at the same time. I usually focus on the track at the point I wish to take the shot and this locks the exposure, but I then raise the camera to frame the shot properly, unfortunately this often causes the exhaust to merge with cloudy skies. As you can see on the other images I have added if I set the exposure for the smoke effects to be seen the train is too dark.
Regards
Malcolm Wilton-Jones

14/5/03:  John P sent track profile for clarification

From: Martin Beckett
Subject: Gradients near Saunderton
Date: Thu, 22 May 2003 15:46:27 +0100

Hi Tony
A few weeks ago we were seeking information on this subject. Although I have still not located the actual track profile, here are some details of the estimated gradients calculated from contours and spot heights on OS 1:50000 map sheet 105 which was in the local library.
Starting from the south and moving northwards along the line:
Line crosses over the A4010 road just before crossing the 100 metre contour About 3 km further on is Saunderton station which is close to the 120 m contour
Overbridge where Malcolm's photo of 73096 was taken is about 1.5 km beyond Saunderton and close to the place where the double track separates into up and down single lines. There is a spot height of 125m near the point of divergence. Princes Risborough station is about 3.5 km north of the overbridge and looks to be below the 100m contour line.
In terms of gradients these details suggest:
South of Saunderton: climb of about 20 m in 3km, average gradient 1/150 up
Saunderton to overbridge : climb of about 5 m maximum in 1.5 km, average 1/300 up
Overbridge to P Ris station : descent of 20-25m in 3.5 km, average about 1/175 down
So it looks as if Macolm's photo location was at or very close to the summit, which explains his observation that the engine was still working hard as it passed him. Saunderton Bank proper is definitely the climb on the Wycombe side of Saunderton station. The descent approaching P Ris occurs mostly in the last 1.5km so the gradient is probably steeper than my estimate of 1/175. Those "Kings" and "Castles" on the Padd - Wolverhamptons were certainly travelling pretty fast as they went through P Ris on the fast lines. I remember 5031 Totnes Castle being a particular favourite on those turns. Happy days!
Hope this is of interest but if anyone can come up with the actual profile then that would settle it.
Martin

From: Malcolm Wilton-Jones
Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 19:21:20 +0000
Hi all
I have updated my web site with todays pictures taken at Earley, Mortimer and approaching the former Ash junction. http://steam_2003.tripod.com
I have also added some pictures copied from a video to last Wednesdays page at Winchfield.
Tony, yesterday I went back to Saunderton to check the gradients at the bridge against the profile on your web site. Unfortunately the current distance markers do not match those on the profile, being 22/I south of the bridge, 22/II just north of the bridge, 22/III near the next bridge (over the up line only) and 23 just north of this bridge at which point the down line is level with the top of the bridge, perhaps 50' above the up line. At the first bridge the height difference between the up an down lines is only a few feet. From this it would appear that the train in my picture has just reached the level stretch north of Saunderton but will shortly have another climb at 1/164 to the summit near mp 34 on your profile. I suspect the bridge in question is between the 33¼ and 33½ mile posts. I could not see any gradient posts. Can anyone match the current mileposts to the profile chart?
One further note for Martin Beckett - I believe steam trains now run into Princes Risborough from Chinnor on occasions.
Regards
Malcolm

From: Malcolm Wilton-Jones
Subject: Saunderton
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 19:02:14 +0100
Hi Tony
I have matched the gradient profile to the OS map. The bridge in question is between the 33.6 and 33.7 mile mark, thus the down line is level at this point while the up line is already descending towards Princes Risborough. The down line commences climbing again towards P R at about 33.8 and reaches its summit at about 34.2, immediately before the second bridge which crosses the up line only. I suspect the power was kept on on the level stretch due to climb to come. As far as my pictures are concerned they show the train on this level stretch apart from the last video copy where it has started climbing again. The summit is just before the end of the straight stretch, in the distance. I believe the up line was the original single line and therefore Saunderton bank would have already ended. Perhaps there is another name for the new bank and summit on the down line. I will shortly amend my site to reflect these findings. Thanks to those who have helped resolve this issue.
I was a bit premature with the return of steam to PR from Chinnor, it still stops at Thame junction but they are hoping to reach PR station shortly. See their web site for details: http://www.cprra.co.uk/
Regards
Malcolm

From: Henry O'Dwyer
Subject: The 5
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2003 17:03:47 +0100
Here's a rushed one

The 5 had just got the signal when the picture was taken. After having to wait for the Greenford /Paddington service to clear the single track ahead. She's at Greenford South Jtn on the Greenford Loop as it crosses the A40 Western Avenue. Loco and support on the north side, and the end of train on the south side, it must have been a good show for the drivers crawling by below. From there she headed off to Greenford West Jtn for a long cool drink, before putting in that commanding performance through West Ruislip.
H

From: Michael Whitley
Subject: 73096 at West Ruislip this morning
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2003 12:36:43 +0100
Hi
Have just seen 73096 charging though West Ruislip  (Movie, 527KB)  at about 10:30 am this morining. Here is a sample of what I saw. I hope this doesn't overload your mail box.
Mike Whitley

From: Jim Russell
To: Tony Wood
Subject: EASTER THOMAS EVENT 2003
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2003 21:03:56 +0100
Hi Tony
Well, that's 'Thomas' over for a few months.
I don't think there can be any doubt - I accept I'm biased - that the Mid-Hants puts on the best 'Thomas' events in the country.
So why are we the best? Is it the railway? No, I don't think so; although the geography at Ropley with the Yard and Picnic Area certainly is a bonus. But a railway is a railway and nothing more. Is it the character engines? Well, they certainly help and you can't hold a Thomas event without a certain little blue engine. 'Thomas' aside you can put a face on any old engine.
The view that I hold - and indeed have held for a long time - is that what makes the Mid-Hants the best is its people. I have been involved for the whole of the ten day event and I have watched our fantastic people - paid and volunteer - put body and soul into making sure that our customers get a brilliant day out. The entertainment alone is magnificent, just to listen to the commentary from the Picnic Area or the stations is informative, entertaining and, frankly, hilarious. The Fat Controller standing at the entrance at Ropley - "Hello, how are you", "Thank you for coming", "Where have you come from?" all this is mainly addressed to our younger customers - brilliant.
Yesterday, Saturday, there was a family who had come down from Glasgow, that's right Glasgow, for a day trip. They set out at 4 o'clock in the morning to come to our Thomas event. Another family had come from Swansea. You just don't do that sort of thing unless you are pretty confident that you are going to have a wonderful day out.
To all of our people, the ones who do the organising, the ones who set it all up, the ones that pack it all away again, the ones behind the scenes, the ones who our customers meet, the ones that fix it when it breaks, the ones that park cars, the ones that sell tickets, the ones that feed and water our guests - absolutely every one - A VERY BIG THANK YOU INDEED.
Without our people we are dead in the water - we must never, ever forget that. That's why we are the best.
On a personal level, the event was made for me one day as I was finishing my day as Guard on Toad the brakevan. A young lad, about four years old, engaged me in a quite detailed discussion on handbrakes and the automatic vacuum brake. Oh, and where was the tail lamp? I've never had a rules exam from an under five before!
By the way, I'm going back to work tomorrow for a rest!!
Regards
Jim Russell

Webmaster's Note:  Jim Russell is Chairman of the Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society
Our Thomas events are the best in the WORLD, Jim!  
We have visitors come from Europe, USA and Japan especially to join us in our Thomas fun. ... tw

Mr Tony Wood
2nd April 2003
Dear Mr Wood
I write to say a special Thank You to you and all the staff involved in my 'footplate experience' on Monday last (31 Mar). My guests, especially those for whom a special exeat from school had been negotiated, enjoyed the day almost as much as I did. They had been expecting only to be able to take photos from the outside looking in, so to speak, so you can imagine their pleasure at the degree of involvement allowed them. I must confess that I am not a deep-dyed railwayman so the 'floating-on-air-cum-360° grin' may not have been obvious; nevertheless I would not have missed the experience for all the world. Please tell Mr Burke (I think I got the name right), the driving instructor, that I really appreciated his style which ensured that one really got the greatest benefit from every minute spent at the controls.
My thanks to you all
Brian Ransley

From: Ben Zehetmayr
Subject: Thomas on shed
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2003 11:30:24 +0100
Took this photo of  Thomas on shed after Saturdays event
BZ

From: Bruce Oliver
Subject: Barry 1968
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 00:23:48 +0100
Dear Tony
Have scanned a few more - here is one from 1968 with some familiar faces in view. Meanwhile, 34067 has provided me with much photographic joy recently - who'd have dared to predict this in 1968!
Regards
Bruce

From: Henry O'Dwyer
Subject: NVR
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 19:55:09 +0100
Hi Tony
Here's a few Nene Valley Ramblers
Seen coming through Brentford with the new Smithkline HQ at Boston Manor in the background, plus a close up
And a couple of shots at Willesden High Level Jn, (and believe it or not we had 34067 Tangmere crossing below on her way to Victoria) As far as I could make out, 73096's timing was spot on
H

From: Chris Searle
Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2003 12:38:04 GMT+01:00
Subject: The continuing adventures of 73096
Hello Tony
Thought you might like these pics of 73096's recent exploits on the Main Line. Perhaps you can add them to the ever expanding gallery that is evolving on the excellent MHR website? She is depicted on the Cathedrals Express of 15th March (121KB) and The Countryman of the 23rd (49KB). I soon hope to have my pics back of her visit to the NVR yesterday. I haven't got into the digital fad yet. I still prefer the old fashioned way!
Kind Regards
Chris Searle

From: Jim Doel
Subject: history
Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 20:28:12 -0000
Hi Tony
The Doel family takeover on Sat 22/03/03: Julie as guard, Lesley in Ticket Office, and me: PIC at Alresford, please use if you want
Jim

From: John Sanders
Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 02:45:11 EST
Subject: Countryman
Hi Tony
Here is a shot of the Countryman on 23/3/03 passing through Farlington Junction on its way to Eastleigh via Cosham
John S~

From: Stephen Newell
Subject: #73096 takes water
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 20:46:45 -0000
Hi Tony
#73096 did a great run today - she was early too. She took on water today at Basingstoke station for 30 minutes which was ample time to get some pictures.
Attached are two I took, the first is her arriving with 'The Countryman' just about to pull up, and the second is of her just pulling out. The weather was near perfect, but we were in the shadow from the train which explains for the slight darkness. I thought you'd be interested in putting them on the latest news page.
You have all done a first-class-job on her and its good to see her roaming around like she used to decades ago.
Thanks for your time
Stephen

From: Chris Cornell Subject: Baby Jessica Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 16:47:58 -0000 Tony Dave & Helen brought their baby today.  Jessica was born on Monday 10th March 2003 Chris (Both are MHR vols ..tw)                                     Photo (23rd March 2003): Chris Cornell

To: Tony Wood
From: Steve Edge
Subject: NewsExpress
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 12:56:33 -0000
Oh, very good, I like that headline* - one of your best!
Steve
www.wsr.org.uk
www.topica.com/lists/WestSomersetRailway/

* "EuroStar to Mid Hants Railway (change at Waterloo)"

From: Alan Carr
Date: 16th March 2003
Subject: A Splendid Day
I just had to drop you a line, to say a big thank-you to all of you, that made my Driving/Firing trip (Friday 14th March 2003) something to remember for the rest of my life.
Special thanks to yourself for all the help information and organisation throughout the day, and to Mike & John on the footplate who obviously have their work cut out with would be Casey Jones types.
The 2-10-0 is some powerful loco, and the size of the firebox awesome. It's 40 years since I fired on a regular basis in BR days, but I am glad to say it comes back as though it was only yesterday. I had never worked on this class of engine before so it was a new and exciting experience for me, although I have to admit, the next day I had a few aches from swinging the shovel, but wouldn't have missed it for the world.
I can, and certainly will recommend your Advanced Driving & Firing Course to all who may be interested, and hope that one day soon I will be able to return for another chance to work "Over The Alps"
Thanks again to everyone, and also for providing a great web site to drool over.
Kind regards
Alan Carr

From: Ian Knight
Subject: Branch Liner
Date: 10/03/2003 06:32 -0500
Hello Tony
Here's 2 views of Saturday's train at Millbrook. 1st on the way to Fawley (122KB) and the 2nd going to Andover (127KB). Feel free to use if you wish.
Ian Knight

From: Chris Smith at Alstom
Subject: Mark 1 coach components
Date: 12/02/2003
Tony
Here's a picture of a new moulding being manufactured for MHR coaching stock earlier today at ALSTOM Eastleigh Works' sawmill. One of our wood machinists Dave Griffiths is comparing the original supplied, with his new one.
Templates are held in stock for components we can make with our various woodworking machines.
For heritage railways needing new Mk1 coach components (wood machining and trim): Mike Parker  Tel 02380 624044 or 07801 774255
Regards
Chris

From: Des Shepherd
Date: 09:04 17/01/2003
Subject: Ivatt 41312
I liked the picture posted on the Mid Hants web site of 41312 on its way to Salisbury* (and thence Barry). Attached are three pictures of 41312 - two at Nine Elms on 27 May 1967 and a rather poor picture at Waterloo on 10 June 1967.
I hope they are of interest.
Regards
Des Shepherd

41312 Nine Elms 27 May 1967
41312 Nine Elms 27 May 1967
41312 Waterloo 10 June 1967

Three photos (1967): Des Shepherd

*Photo: Keith Lawrence   Details

To: Stephen Huddy ...
Mid-Hants Railway Website hits thread is far too boring for this page, so has been banished to a page of its own

Thread about MHR web-movies moved here

What web-movies?

From: Hugh Topham
Date: 20:55 12/12/2002 +0000
Subject: 73096 earlier today
Hello Tony,
Went out to see 73096 on the Cathedrals to Canterbury today 12th December during lunch-hour!. This photo was taken near Shoreham, great misty atmosphere, plenty of steam and exhaust, true express at estimated 60mph and wonderful accelerating beat and whistling approaching foot crossings. A great loco, well done the Mid-Hants on turning out such a fine machine. Got some good video too, the sound in the attached shot and at Hildenborough station this evening was fantastic, as I remember it in the 50's & early 60's. We could hear her all the way up Hildenborough bank from Tonbridge station! Did she break the recent CanPac record from Tonbridge to Sevenoaks, that's what we want to find out........
Many thanks
Hugh Topham (Mike's Dad!)

From: Shona Lloyd
Date: 29/11/2002 +0000 at 13:15
Subject: Exhaust beats from a 4-cyl loco?
Dear Mr Wood
Someone has set me this question and despite surfing for days, I am unable to find an answer - you may just be able to save my sanity!
If a 2cylinder engine gives 4beats per rev of its driving wheels and a 3cyl gives 6, how many beats per rev does a 4cyl loco give - more importantly WHY?
I look forward to hearing from you
Kind regards
Shona Lloyd

Hello Shona
The exhaust beats of a steam loco depend on the 'timing' of the loco. On a two-cylinder loco, the power strokes are arranged to be even, so a loco will have equal intervals between chuffs. The cylinders are at equal height above the rails, the cranks are arranged at 90° to each other (left-side: right-side), and each cylinder is double acting (powers the piston in each direction by turn).
Things get a bit more complicated with extra cylinders. On a Bulleid Pacific, the middle cylinder is mounted higher than the outer cylinders, and the cranks are set at angles to allow for this, so there are six chuffs per rev at even intervals.
On a King, the four cylinders are arranged so that the left outer cylinder and right inner cylinder power strokes occur together, and then the right outer and left inner occur together, so the (big) chuff is from two cylinders at the same time. This makes for four chuffs per revolution.
On a Lord Nelson the cranks were set for even power strokes and it produced eight chuffs evenly spaced per revolution.
I hope this helps
Best regards
Tony Wood
Webmaster
www.watercressline.co.u

How a Steam Railway Engine Works

From: Jim Russell
Date: 22nd November 2002
Subject: BUTLER'S ARMY
Hi Tony,
Seeing the pictures of Frank Twine's re-laying job at Alresford prompted me to send you the attached photos of 'Butlers Army' also getting very wet installing a plastic cable ducting to accommodate power and control cables for the new Alton Signalling.
I can report that Colonel Butler is a very hard taskmaster, giving us no tea breaks and only half an hour for lunch. I spent the whole week ( 4 - 8 November ) conscripted into his army and was forced to return to work the next week for a rest.
The weather for most of the week was at best wet and at worst wetter but after a while it is impossible for one to get any wetter so we just kept going. The chalk removed from the trench took on the consistency of putty and by the end of the week we all vowed to spend our holidays at Ropley next year to see if the climate is better than Alton.
This week a different regiment of Butlers Army were installing the cables into the ducting. I got wise this time and only spent one day with them. Guess what? - it rained all day!!
Would we do it all over again if we had to? You bet we would. It was wet but the company was good, the humour got more and more sarcastic - what else would you expect on the MHR - and we got the job done.
All photos were taken by me on 6 November 2002 - did I mention that it rained all day?
Dig Trench  The trench is dug using a swivel bucket digger on hire from Hughes Rail. We would like to take the opportunity to say 'Thank you' to Pete the Driver who was so obliging and worked very hard to help us. But then he had a nice dry cab (I didn't tell you did I -  it was raining.)
Duct in  Having dug the trench we laid in the plastic ducting and connected it all together. It was a race to get the duct in before the trench filled with water or the sides of the trench collapsed. The digger then filled in the trench over the duct.
Pat Butler  After a while you just can't get any wetter so you might just as well laugh it off - it rained you know.
Nigel Bullpit  One lucky soldier got a special delivery from the West Country Buffet at Alresford - although it must have been cold by the time it got to him. Would you believe that he ate the lot - in about ten seconds flat actually - in front of us and didn't even offer us a bit of bacon rind. Neither did he offer us the cardboard box it came in to put over our heads to try and keep dry!!
Regards
Jimbo

Webmaster's Note:  Jim Russell is Chairman of the Mid-Hants Railway Preservation Society 

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