MHR Autumn Steam Gala 2014.

I agree that home engines should run, but the WSR seemed to insist on 4160 or 88, sometimes both, to do 2 full line solo round trips each for a number of consecutive galas. I wouldn't have minded so much had they shared it out between 3850, 9351, 7828, 6960 etc, but it was always 4160 and/or 88 and when they run a max of 10 trains each way that was sometimes 2/5 of the diagrams just between these two locomotives. It does seem to have got better recently though which is good. The Seven Valley seem to get it spot on rotating home locos that are in use/spare/night turns at their galas although 34053 has ran every time since she came back so maybe I will have to start ranting on about that soon!

 

Standard MHR gala practice is to have a loco in the cattle dock at Alresford for approx. 40 mins for people to have a look around/get on the footplate. When it was Clan line there was at least 40-50 people standing in line waiting their turn!

 

I remember reading many, many years ago that I think it was the Talyllyn found that visitor numbers rose when they left a loco in steam at Wharf station in between trains.

 

This sort of thing works better for loco soceitys rather than company owned locos. I know when Clan Line was in the cattle dock they were able to sign up loads of people to the MNPLS. Wouldnt be surprised when locos such as 506 and 828 come back into steam they will try a similar tactic.

 

You don't need 16 engines on the SVR. I'm simply saying it would constitute a mega gala. I like the idea of a mega gala once every 2 to 10 years depending on a railway's budget. It would involve mid-week running with themed days and all engines or at least all visitors in steam on the weekends. It probably won't make money but it will advertise the railway to enthusiasts all over the country. I attended the WSR's Somerset and Dorset gala in 2006. I'd been there 3 times before but never for a gala. I now attend all the time even though it's 247 miles away. I did the same with the KWVR in 1997. I've now been a member there since October 2001.

 

Can we keep this thread on topic of the MHR gala?

 

I think I probably went to that but I'd have been too young to appreciate how unusual it was. How did they maintain 14 mainline steam engines? Incredible.

 

Well when everything else virtually is some Western rubbish who can blame them for wanting a Southern thoroughbred to put on a proper show?

 

Fair play I had a cracking trip behind her at the ASG running tender first from Kiddy all the way up to Bridgnorth. Load 10 as the Venturer was on the back. I was in the back coach eating breakfast but can only imagine what it must have been like at front window. If you can hear a Bullied that far back she must have been working hard!

GWR locos aren't rubbish - why did the Bluebell insist on hiring 5521, 3650, 5643 etc? haha

 

There's no accounting for taste...

 

Then look what happened. Maintained all the locos in ticket at the same time then the crash happened. By 2010-2011 we had one running. But things are most certainly on the up with more LMS and BR standards, O and one more Bulleid all coming back into traffic within the next 24 months.

JBTevans, you will find, the locos on nights will often not fit the general theme of the gala hence 7812 and 2857 at the ASG last year. This year may prove different being the 50th.