MHR Autumn Steam Gala 6th-8th October 2023

72 Fenchurch
1054
5239 Goliath
41312
53808
401 "Vulcan"

More TBA (I don't understand why the link is excessively long but it's there)
https://watercressline.co.uk/specia...eam+Gala+2023&utm_term=Autumn+Steam+Gala+2023

 

LNWR Coal Tank mentioned in both the Railway Magazine and Heritage Railway as visiting

Andrew

 

Thanks. I updated the first post. I no longer collect such magazines so wouldn't know. Cheers Andrew

 

Does the Watercress Line know this?
I don't see it on the official website.

 

That's a wonderful line-up - having had to pull out of going to the Bluebell Branch Line event last-minute where Fenchurch would've been one of the main attractions for me, catching up with it at the Mid-Hants will be fantastic. I thought the 7F was due to be out for overhaul by then so that's a bonus too as I haven't had it out of Alton yet. And though I've enjoyed the Coal Tank at Blaenavon and the Bluebell (and hope to be at Blaenavon for it again next month too), I'm more than happy to see it on the Mid-Hants as well. I'd guess 72 and 1054's duties might be based around Alresford-Ropley shuttles but am excited to see the plan. And presumably the S15 is spare for this one? I had several good runs with 506 at the May gala so given that I'll probably only have 4-5 hours at the Mid-Hants around work and family commitments, it's probably handy to not have to factor in the S15 too personally!

I've always enjoyed every Mid-Hants gala as those gradients are so entertaining with any heritage steam or diesel. But smaller locos there are so spectacular on the hills - thinking back to the spring gala that had L92 and the KESR USA tank a few years back, or any diesel turns or galas featuring a solo class 20 (I haven't made it for the cl.14's visits there). So I absolutely can't wait for the Terrier.

Only downside... having not managed to make it to the Mid-Hants in the brief period those Kilmersdon shuttles were operating within the normal timetable, I must admit I was hoping they might fit into the gala plan but I see it's on driver duties again instead. Would love for it to get a longer run out at a gala sometime if possible - I know it won't be the fastest thing to fit into the timetable but as they've managed to fit Cl.08s doing Alresford-Ropley runs at diesel galas, maybe it might be plausible.

 

Apparently they are saying there is another visitor to be announced.
Can I just say, I do hope it's this!

Just imagine that and 5239 double-heading!

 

Coal Tank confirmed on the website now.
9681 would indeed be nice, but speaking to the DFR Loco Group at its launch, its not going out anywhere for a good few years.

 

Another visitor to come it seems...

 

Not that surprising given the lack of available members of the home fleet, wonder if it'll be a larger engine given the guests so far?

 

There was a recent article in the DFR Society's magazine with a high level member of the DFLG who own 9681, discussing the prospect of loaning out locomotives with views to engines coming the other way and the general thought was that there's little to gain and everything to lose, with how other engines have been treated while away from their home railway.

 

Can’t go wrong with a Bulleid in my humble opinion or a BR standard.

 

Trust me, If I was the MHR's manager, I would happily send 506 in its place, I don't know if it would physically fit on the railway but it keeps it out the way nevertheless.

Let the worm can opening begin!
Bulleid Pacifics [in my opinion] do not belong on branch lines, by some quirk they did, I still don't know how or why, but clearly Bulleid had no interest in keeping the smaller engines built by his predecessors active, hence the invasion and slaughtering.

BR Standards? Let's be real for one second, as of now, their are only two types of Standard that would look good at this event, 4 Tanks [] or 2 moguls, who are too underpowered.

Now I know 4 moguls worked branch lines but once again, more suited for mainline work and lets just face it, there really is only 1 that could visit.

 

Following the announcement of 41312 to the SVR gala in September I find it highly likely a swap with 7714 may take place to fulfil the last visitor for the branch line theme?

 

7714 apparently is a guest elsewhere the same weekend

 

Plus I seem to remember this was a regular diversionary route during Bournemouth electrification. Not sure what is wrong with the correct loco for the line, especially it is only a "branch" now, not back in those days.

 

Interesting, where did you hear that?

 

Overheard an interesting conversation at the Epping Steam Gala...

 

You know, you can just say its going to the Great Central, its not a big secret.
I reckon 7820 is going as well.

 

Personally, this isn't a distraction, it is to do with both Branch Lines and the Southern.
In that case, then 21C127 is bound to visit, though I would prefer 75069.