MHR Goods Weekend 16/17 January 2010

As Rumpole has stated it might be an idea to read the comments on WNXX or Preserved Diesels

 

http://www.wnxxforum.com/interactive/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=384&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/pdf3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2189

 

The "team" that run Swanages Diesel Gala INCLUDES one of the ex organisers of the MHR galas
The event is run by the railway as opposed to a seperate group/diesel group and has become a successful event

 

Hi Chris can we have the CCT’S hooked on to the back of the service trains. This would give another element to a freight weekend.

 

Is it possible to run a parcels or milk train? Not sure if the MHR has the stock to do this but it's a nice idea.

While on the one hand I cannot help but approve of this event, on the other I have doubts because of the date. This still deep mid-winter, weather often awful and light, that essential ingredient for a successful picture, is so often in short supply. Still I wish the MHR well in this venture and if the met forecast is good I'm sure I'll do the seventy miles or so to visit.

Regards

 

Don't be so pessimistic. Deep mid winter, bright and crisp and far better than any spring/summer day. One winter shot is often worth 20 Summer ones so worth the risk. Funny how there are similar comments on the KWVR gala thread - too many fair weather photters! Hope the attached inspires you to get out in winter -first shot of the day was the only sunny one but worth the effort.

 

Ive added this to the nat pres calendar

http://railways.national-preservation.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=117&day=2009-1-16

 

That has and is being arranged Lee.

Regards
Chris

 

Spoken like a true enthusiast! I'm all to well aware that it is possible, very possible, to get good weather in winter, but it is unusual. It will be even more unusual in deepest Yorkshire! Also the sun sets that much earlier giving a very much smaller 'window'

If the weather forecast is good for this weekend, then I'll go to the MHR. I won't be going to the KWVR because it involves a very much longer journey and the need to spend out on a B&B. The weather is far too unpredictable in the Worth Valley in winter for that. When it's good, it's very, very good; when it's bad it's horrid. The KWVR Winter Galas are more for the locals, not for we foreigners!

One other thing that has to be remembered is that lenses for the modern SLR are very good, very good indeed. Because of this it is possible nowadays to a good shot, particularly a static shot, even in poor weather/low light conditions provided that you stick to f8/f11 - but you might need a tripod to make up for the slow shutter speed. I do video and video lenses are nowhere as good as an SLR lens in poor lighting conditions, it's like going back to the 1960s sometimes!

Regards

 

I would say cold and sunny if that’s possible? That way you should get a better exhaust from the loco and then you should be able to get some great winter photos.

 

We are not far off having a van train Orion, but as for the weather , this is anyone,s guess as we are in the hands of the almighty here.

Regards
Chris

 

I have been asked by Tim to say that the Thorneycroft Society are sending a number of vehicles with people in period dress to this event. The vehicles will include

1948 Brewers Dray-Nippy
1946 Brewers Dray-Sturdy
1947 Nippy
1959 Antar Mk3
1927A1 Thorneycroft GWR- canvas back box van
1959 Thorneycroft Swift
1942 Nippy fruit and veg carrier from WW2
Exhibition Trailer

I am not sure what these vehicles are , so I hope that someone with better knowledge than I will come onto this Forum and explain to us.

Best regards
Chris

 

I like the idea of brewery drays. Will they be delivering essential supplies?

 

The Antar 3 is a tank transporter. A "must have" Dinky Toy when I was a kid.

 

Only for medicinal purposes.

Regards
Chris

 

My Dad used to build Antars at Thornycrofts works at Basingstoke ! So he will be very pleased to see it again ,The Basingstoke Alton line passed through the middle of the works there and the Antars were tested on the Basingstoke to Alresford B road so all very local history .
Did someone say there were some trains running as well ?? lol !

This was taken on January 10th 2008 what chance of it being this cold .. Minus 6

 

I'm a member of wnxx - in fact I have introduced quite a few on here to that forum.

I know exactly what was said and that a number of people boycotted the event

However I did attend on the Friday and the trains were far from empty.

 

If i can add my thoughts on the Mid Hants Diesel weekends of the past .I was involved right from the start with these and the diesels as well, even delivering 25067 and 27007 from Swindon by rail with 33051.
We had locos from BR and other railways but all the trains were crewed by Mid Hants crews .Things changed when EWS crews were bought in from Eastleigh to crew these with MHR pilot men .
Unfortunately this is when speeding incidents became more prevalent along with some very silly incidents with lineside trespass not caused incidently by enthusiasts but public .
However that is all in the past and whilst I would question the tie up with the Shackerstone group to such an extent . The MHR does use diesels to a great deal even if they are unable and unwilling to spend money on looking after the locos they have and put them to one side to rot.
Lets see what happens in the years to come .Smaller engines are better as they have to work hard uphill.
David

 

Wouldn't this sub-thread about diesels on the MHR be better placed elsewhere?

Regards

 

I picked up a copy of the MHR 2010 timetable yesterday and was pleased to see that the January Freight Weekend was advertised, and we also have Freight Train Days advertised as running in June, July, September and October.

Looking good.

Regards
Chris