Mid Hants Railway - End of Southern Steam Gala 1-2, 8-9 July 2017

Compare the magnificence of, for example, the SECR C Class in its pre 1923 livery to the drab 1950s/1960s BR black and there you have my reason for preferring earlier liveries and this is from someone who remembers BR steam. Variety is the spice of life and it would be quite boring IMO if only one era of railway history was represented on the majority of preserved ex main line locos. But this is about the MHR Gala, not liveries so back to the subject and roll on July.

 

Nonsense. All those built in 1948 by BR, plus 34090, 35020 and 35030 in 1949, received Malachite green.

 

Personally, I thought 53 looked fantastic when turned out in this livery. The plain livery, and the lack of smokebox numberplate and shedplate, focused the eye on the beautiful lines of the engine itself. However, the bright lettering added a splash of colour and prevented it from looking drab. Just goes to show how subjective these things are.

Anyway, my own choice for 850 would be malachite; however since she has now had two operational spells in malachite I feel that it is only fair to let the BR enthusiasts have a turn! (Although it is rather a pity that she had no SR-liveried coaches to run with her through most of her last boiler ticket, whereas she probably will do during the next!)

 

I thought 850 looks awful in its current livery! However a BB or WC in malachite is a fine sight. I also like black with sunshine lettering, 506 looked particularly fine in that livery.
Just goes to prove what they say about pleasing people.

 

Looking forward to seeing this Beastie again!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/32497243176/

Wonder if this one will put in an appearance?...............

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/32385774652/in/photostream/

 

they will have P& O Line, but wouldnt it be good, but im expecting 35028 will be busy on the big railway, so far, has 2 MN'S been in steam at the same place at the same time since 1967 ?

 

35028 has tours booked for the 1st (Surrey Hills), 5th (Bournemouth) and 9th (Yeovil) looking at UKSteam.

Mind you, 34046 has a tour to Weymouth on the 8th.

 

Question is that is it going on the mainline? Its booked at the gala for the entire time.

 

I did ask the MHR Twitter account whether 34046 would be involved during the second weekend but never had a reply.

Perhaps we will find out nearer the time.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

The reply I got from the MHR was that they knew there was a conflict which they were trying to resolve

 

Thanks for the update.

 

I visited for the 2015 gala; without any guest locos this is quite a lot of dosh including fare to Alton just to do 76017 (as I've done the 5 / 9F and not interested in the Ivatt sorry)

a nice looking loco though when will she be running next?

 

Without any guest locos? The plan is for 4 visiting Bulleids, including Peninsular and Orient, which is the MNs only trip away from the GWSR announced this year.
If you're after 76017, then the currently ongoing Spring Gala would have been ideal, as it is on both Passenger and Freight, with there being Guards Van rides on the freight too (oh and it's cheaper at £20 per day)

 

I think he's talking about the current pre-Spring Gala. Wrong thread I guess!

 

deleted

 

yes sorry, was asking when 76017 was likely to be running again after this weekend

 

This may help.
http://preservation.watercressline.co.uk/stock

 

Update in The Railway Magazine that arrived today says that 34007 may be renumbered to represent one of the last of the Class around in 1967. The report also says that there will be Eight Bulleid Pacific loco's at the MHR event. Will they all be visible though? Any chance 34058 will be moved from Alresford head shunt?

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Yes I saw that in the Railway Magazine as well. The ASSET team along with the PW gang cleared the vegetation from alongside Sir Fred earlier this year, but I have no idea whether the loco's bearings, bogie and pony truck are in a state to allow movement! One of the reasons we are working 0n 80150 is to rig up temporary springing to allow the loco to negotiate pointwork in the headshunt, no work similar work has been done on Sir Fred recently......

 

34102 would be good. Not only did it last to the end but it was one of the 100 mph locos.