MHR steam galas March & Sept 2009

Might be!

 

Hi everyone I’ve reposted this post to remind everyone that is attending the MHR gala next month and is thinking about staying over in the Alton area that the RAT is running on Saturday night. If you wish to travel on the RAT you will need to book tickets in advance due to the popularity of the RAT.

 

I'm going to be there for the gala - Looks to be a really fantastic event......

 

Will be a good gala but go on the friday before anything fails !

Ill probuly be at swanage for thier gala this year.

 

Am sure nothing will fail and that whatever timetable is produced it will work well...

 

I guess that depends if anything GWR is running...

 

With only two weeks remaining before the gala Tim are you going to release a WTT. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there waiting to see what’s on offer at this year’s autumn gala and need to make arrangements in advance of the gala.

Thanks

 

Timetable now on the MHR latest news page in PDF format. First train from Alton at 10.21, Alresford 10.10. Then every half hour.

 

I'm not intending this as a dig, but there was discussion on here (from a lot of MHR people as well, before people start jumping up and down) about running longer days, and the general consensus was that it was a good idea and would be looked into.

Looking at that timetable that's still less than an 8 hour day, for chinging out nigh on 20 quid. Are there reasons for deciding against it?

 

Any idea when the engine allocations will become available?

 

I take they got over that one by running the RAT in the evening. Which reminds me to say I was told yesterday that the RAT is filling up and anyone wishing to travel on the RAT should think about booking their tickets on the web site?
http://www.watercressonline.co.uk/section.php?xSec=39

 

But the RAT is a pre-booked service, run in a similar manner to what is done on a number of occasions during the course of the season (and done very well, I hasten to add). Its not exactly something special for the person who turns up for the gala itself.

When I read about running longer hours, I envisaged early morning workings, for example a pick up goods ambling around about dawn. Evening services, or at the least public services until around 8p.m. or so. My personal opinion is that these extra bits and pieces are what makes a good gala into a memorable one.

 

Any brake van rides down Alresford headshunt at this gala?

 

I too am disappointed, to say the least that the day finishes at 6.00pm.


I thought that Tim Beere was aiming to encourage the railway to try longer days, however it was not to be, it seems.

 

Seems to me to be just a standard MHR gala, the steam cranes which are always a highlight don't seem to be out, neither does the engineers p-way train.

Of the the locos available seems amazing at 8 locos, that in itself will be a spectacle and the bulleid line up, but you would have thought they would try a little more spontinaity with locos and coaches.

Lets hope they mix up the pullmans and normal coaches.

 

I too am a little under whelmed at the early finish especially as this will be my first visit to the MHR.
I planned my visit several weeks ago so I could go to the Swanage Railway Gala on the Friday and what I thought would be the bigger of the 2 events on the Saturday. I would have done them the other way around if I'd had the full information.

Anyway, I am still looking forward to a GREAT weekend and I hope I will be able to see ALL the ex mainline / BR Locos that are site there.

.

 

Does anyone have any information as to the probability of the repairs to 60019 being completed in time for it to take part in this gala?

 

I believe that there will be brakevan rides, but I don't know where they will take place.

Regards

 

I am thinking of paying a visit to the MHR gala on Saturday. The one turn-off is the threat of headboards. I am surprised the MHR are using these. The gala is aimed at enthusiasts and I have yet to meet an enthusiast who actually likes headboards stuck on the front of engines.

Does anyone know if most trains will be plagued with them, or will it only be one or two?

Thanks

 

I'm personally for headboards, nice to have a bit of variety sometimes but not on every train please as locos didn't always carry headboards, and not every train was a named express!
I was hoping to get to this gala but it seems that we won't be able to make it for various reasons now.