MHR Pre-Spring Gala - 9-11 Feb 2018

https://www.watercressline.co.uk/pr...g-steam-gala/8fe88b9459071f8cf75c08bdc448b307

Guest scheduled to be 45231 (thus doubling up on the Black Fives), any idea what the second guest is going to be (if there's still going to be one)?

 

tbc at the moment.....

 

Here's the latest on the Mid-Hants website. Whatever the proposed second guest loco was, it can't be released from the line where it's based, so the Severn Valley outside-cylindered Pannier, 1501, will be the second visitor instead. Not a class of loco one would associate with what was originally billed as a 1968 gala, but in actual fact, 1501 may well have been active in 1968 - albeit at Coventry Colliery rather than on the BR network. Whatever, it's thumbs up from this end. I wish the Ropley team all the best in sorting out the problems with the two Black Fives in time for the event.

 

I'm not sure if 1501 was still in Colliery service back in 1968, had it arrived at the SVR by then? Not that it matters, 1501's a cracking little engine, certainly be interesting to see how gets on in Hampshire.

 

1501 at Coventry in 1969 according to the caption.
https://www.svrwiki.com/GWR_Pannier_1501#/media/File:S1504_1501_David_Cooke.jpg

 

I have just been reading on the MHR website about the misfortune the Railway had over Christmas with the failures of 45231, 45379 and 925 all happening within a few days of each other.
I did wonder if this would have any impact on the Gala. Hopefully the folks at Ropley will have better luck this month and are able to get the Fives back in action.
1501 is a cracking "alternative" visitor though. Hopefully I might be able to make it down for one day of the event.

 

I did used to know things like this! As you get older...

 

I wonder if 1501 will work the complete line or just work shuttles. The last time a Pannier tank visited some time ago it worked Alresford to Medstead shuttles.

 

I hope she runs the full line. Would love to see her power up the alps

 

1501's BR service was just 11 years 5 months (July 1949 to January 1961). NCB service was between February 1961 and September 1969. After being acquired for preservation, the locomotive left Coventry for tyre turning at Tyseley in July 1970 and arrived on the SVR 3 months later.

 

Does anyone know what the Home Fleet line-up will be for this event? At the moment I guess it will be 41312, 76017 and perhaps 92212............

 

925, 76017 and 41312 will be in operation alongside 1501 and the potential black 5s

 

1501 should be well able to handle the usual 5 coach train at the MHR. It took 6 Mk 1s at the KWVR several times and ran briskly with that load on steeper gradients than the MHR. It was taking 8 mk1s at the SVR the other week and on its last visit to the NYMR acquitted itself well.

 

I believe the plan is for 1501 to run one full line return trip and also haul a freight between Alresford and Ropley

 

Thanks for the info.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

Does anyone know the current status of the repairs on either of the Black Fives??

 

45231 is being worked on over the weekend but will not be ready until shortly before the gala. 45379 still undergoing repairs to the grate, new ashpan has been fitted. 43212 has arrived back from Dorset

 

Pleased to see 925 running, seems to have ended up as the spare engine pretty much every time I've been recently

 

Thanks for the Update!

 

I realise things are running close to the line with the two Black 5's, but is a timetable/roster likely to be released this week ?

Accommodation and rover ticket bought n paid for, should be a great event !!