MHR Spring Steam Gala 2015: 13th - 15th February

Nice to see a warming fire in 34007 today.

 

Thanks for the updates folks. Fingers and toes crossed all the locos are fit for Friday.

 

Just seen the country file weather forecast and it appears that next weekend a large high pressure system will be sitting over England, hopefully this should mean good weather (like we have had this weekend)

 

Should be great weather for photography at least Hopefully wont be long before we get the full gala timetable

 

Just not great if you have to book on around 6am! Brrr thats going to be cold in the yard!

 

Rather you then me on that one, I will still in bed at that time.

 

allocations for the gala timetable now on mid hants website

 

Got to admit I'm disappointed, when I saw the shuttle fright I hoped for a good mixture of locos hauling it not Wadebridge all day :-(

 

the 9F is still broke then.

 

Looks like it. Agree it seems a bit daft that 30007 is on the freight all day, perhaps because she's only just been fixed and if something goes wrong it wouldn't be the end of the world?

Pity there's only an occasional double header between 925 and 850, but I know quite a few people don't like too many. Still looking forward to it though, should be good. Hopefully the weather forecast will hold too!

 

I was hoping for more variation on the RAT service, I guess I'll have to make sure I get different locos on the days I'm not working.
Wonder why Wadebridge is not being allowed far from Ropley...

 

Because the refurbished motion parts will not have been run in, so if it should fall down it wont be far from help.

 

Seems like a very sensible reason!

 

Fair enough, although perhaps a more interesting solution (although probably not feasible) is freight doing the full length and 30007 on a 2 coach local in the shuttle slot, because everyone loves a Bulleid on 2 coaches. (A nice enigma for @paulhitch historically accurate but uneconomical!)

 

Looking at the time table with loco allocations I would think most photographers will stick between Alresford and Ropley.

 

A little disappointed to see 34007 restricted to the Freight but I have to say I was expecting it after all the work she has had done. Better to run her in on the freight in case she has "teething problems". I see on the friend face site she has been out for a test run today.
I guess 92212 is unavailable as she is not rostered for any services although she is listed in the loco key on the bottom of the timetable?

 

Maybe 92212 will be used has a thunderbird loco.

 

You could well be right. 925 was on standby for the Autumn Gala.

 

From the mhr website: http://www.watercressline.co.uk/product.php/21/spring-steam-gala
"It is with great regret that BR Standard Class 9F No. 92212 will not be running during the gala. Unfortunately, several super heating elements blew before Christmas and despite our best efforts, not all of the parts have been replaced in time."

 

Thunderbirds I am afraid will be 37905 and 37324. With any luck we wont require them.