RHF ON TOUR
One day, my good friend Paul rang to tell me that 55 019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' was currently sitting at the Chievely services off the M4. And what was more, he said that number 19 was en-route to Alresford to spend a number of weeks at the Mid-Hants Railway and to take part in the MHR's annual diesel weekend. As the MHR is only about ten miles away from my house, this news was extremely welcome, to say the least!
So, early the next morning I set off up the A339 towards Newbury and the M4. In the car park at Chievely services was, as advertised, number 19 on the back of a low loader. Carrying the headcode 9019, it was numbered 9019 and was in all over blue.
Come the weekend of the diesel weekend, number 19 worked a number of services by itself, and with the locally based Class 27. Here the Scottish duo approach Ropley station on their way up the incline from Alresford.
And, after a bit of inspired car driving on my part, here is the pair sitting further down the line at Medstead waiting for the road to Alton. Note the coolant pouring down the side of the Class 27. Why is it you always get dorks hanging out the loco cab windows or standing in the doors at these sorts of events?
Also, at some point over the weekend we had this scene at Alton with the Deltic passing three Class 50s that had been in action the previous day.
Here is a shot of Number 19 running round the train at Alresford. Note the 1V93 headcode. Modesty prevents me from saying who asked the very genial driver to change the headcode panels....... All Deltic fans will instantly remember that 1V93 was the 0950 Edinburgh - Plymouth service which was Deltic hauled between Edinburgh and York [the return working being the 1435 1S27 York-Edinburgh service].
Later on I asked the driver to change the headcode panel to 1D08 to remember 55 018 'Ballymoss'. This was the 1935 Kings Cross - Hull service which all Deltic fans will remember was the last service that Ballymoss worked before it was removed from the train at Doncaster. However, it's hard to believe, but true, but Ballymoss made a fleeting appearance at the Mid Hants Railway while Number 19 was there as well. Cue self portrait and, yes, it IS the real thing.....
Unfortunately, these things always have to come to an end and number 19 said goodbye to the MHR and headed back off to the midlands on its low loader. This is taken early in the morning at Fleet services on the M3. This was after me having driven up the A34 to the M40 by mistake. Note that it still carries the ID08 headcode from its service at the diesel weekend.
More pictures (and text) to come on this visit to Hampshire by RHF.
© Brian Elliott
Last updated 14th December 1999
