MHR Autumn Steam Gala 21-23 October 2016

Will be there on the Saturday and for the likes of myself, the Gronk is a most definite bonus; to keep such gala's 'fresh' is definately the way forward. Good stuff!!

 

Well, now we're mentioning it.....!

Can't say I'm complaining that much about all engines facing Alton, but I do echo the comments that it would've been nice to have something facing Alresford so you could get two chimney first workings passing. Even without that, I'll enjoy my 3 days there nonetheless! I've wanted to see a 'Scot' at the MH since I first encountered 46115 in 2010, so I'm rather looking forward to having something completely different gracing MHR metals.

James

 

+1 for the Gronk

As you say an unexpected bonus which presumably you can travel behind unlike the freights which take up a path and don't benefit the fare paying passengers there to travel on the trains, only the lineside photographers

 

Sorry, totally disagree. This should have taken place at the diesel gala earlier in the year. If you want to ride behind gronks that is the place to do it. Freights may take up a path and be non-passenger carrying but the point is they are STEAM hauled and this is supposed to be a STEAM gala.

Anyway, it is what it is - I shall enjoy the rest of the gala but will not be photographing or riding on a certain working!

 

Yes you are.

Blimey. Now somebodys whinging about the freights!! How do they not benefit the fare paying passenger? It all adds a bit of variety that, even though you can't travel on it (although you can in the Queen Mary brake), it a adds something to the atmosphere as it passes by.

If there's something you don't like then do something else while it's happening. Look out of the other side of the train when the gronk goes by, go and have a pastie in the buffet, come and have a chat with me and tell me, while I'm wearing my coveted engineman SR cap badge and firing a Southern engine in a green and cream painted station by an SR rail built signal that it's a shame because the GWR was much better than everyone else!!

 

You're missing a trick. If you travel on the Gronk working it means everything you see will be steam, and thus maintain the illusion.

 

Time to find the Real Ale Train I think!

 

The classic photo shot from Stable lane with the Pway hut in it is no longer photoable due to the farmer fencing off the field and plowing up the small walkway around the field.

 

I've noticed that some lineside photographers don't let such things as fences and lack of paths stop them! :-(

 

You can still get a decent shot from the fence, I imagine that'll be pretty busy next week! Shot is around 9:30 in the video.

 

This years gala doesn't fall on the end of British summertime. This is the first time this has happen for a few years now. Plus I noticed there isn't a return trip for the class 08. Just wandering if the return trip happen after the end of service or will it take place the next day before the gala starts.

 

Would have thought it would follow the 16:40 from Alresford, as the 17:55 arrival at Ropley will use one platform all night, and generally the other at Ropley is used for locos. These probably won't clear until the 09:15 departure the following morning, at which point there are no spare paths all day for the 08. I suppose they could move it back to Ropley in the evening and then send it to Alton ahead of the 09:15 the next morning instead if they wanted to.

On another note, what stock is the 08 planned to use? From what I can see, the 15:04 arrival has to form both the 15:20 08 hauled departure and the 16:15. Is it possible that the Pines Express is to run with additional coaches, say 8 rather than 5, seeming as the local set is available during all of that return trip, before splitting at Alton, dropping a few coaches for the 15:20?

 

I may be mistaken of course; from the roster, do the engines allocated 13.40 RAT off Alresford clash with those allocated 14.25 Pass off Alton, 45379 Friday, 53809 Saturday for example? This time of night, could be my misunderstanding, just looking to get the theoretical moves sorted!

 

The lead loco on The Pines (13:40) comes off the train outside Alton to haul the 14:25.This has been done many times before.

 

Thanks Paul42, all makes sense now, it's my first time to a gala at the MHR though have visited on ordinary days a number of times when in the area. 2TANX

 

Could someone advise, are the trains marked as PASS on the working timetable all 5 coach sets?

Thanks.

 

Was the last train to run over the line really a class 08 and a couple of Mk 1s?

 

Usually.

I don't know why I've done this........ but I think I've worked out that the consist behind the Gronk will be the local set...................

 

From memory and looking at a photo. The last BR working from Alton to Alresford was 09003 which hauled a cct and a few mk1 coaches. Then not long after contractors moved in and started removing track from Ropley to Alton.

 

And there was me thinking we weren't allowed to mention the diesel at a steam gala on here

Anyway seeing I'm a helpful chap, here's the gen, which whisper it, I've spotted on a diesel forum

Consist for 08 as shown on the WTT is scheduling a CCT, 3xMk1's plus Toad brakevan