MHR Spring gala 25-27 March 2011 City Of Truro 3440 & Earl Of Berkley 9017

Thanks, great to see the Dukedog as the lead loco on an up train, didn't get the chance for that on Friday except for its early morning arrival into Alton.

 

I got the updated roster and a booklet with loco information and originally planned rosters included with the rover ticket.

Just to add a very big well done to all who helped make it a fantastic day.

 

View attachment 2397 View attachment 2398 Just a couple more pics from Sunday morning as domestic duties for the afternoon ! And some of my pics from the whole weekend are here http://linesidephotos.smugmug.com/M...g-Gala-Friday/16344832_3YZ9m#1228826193_Z2Ztt.

A well organised Gala indeed and this time it all ran to time as well and difficulties were overcome.
When you see the work going on behind all of the rosters and workings in all parts of the railway its a credit to All concerned. Well Done Guys. David

 

Managed to grab a few shots between customers on our stall. Anyone know why the U was taken off the afternoon breakdown train at Ropley and the Class 33 substituted?

 

Well done Midhants, another fantastic gala, thats realy made my week, thank you to everyone involved over the weekend to put on such a great show well done

 

Is it my screen or are the colours a little strange?

 

Yes so did I but because of the failure they bore no relation to what was actually on each train.

 

I meant an updated roster because of 5224's failure due to slipping a tyre. This also came with the roster when 4953 was confirmed instead of 6024 in the main booklet. Everything I saw ran as booked apart from the 09.45 ex Alton which should of been both 4953 and 9017 but 9017 was only added to the rear at Ropley.

 

Looks like a bit over the top in photoshop,Simon...to each his own,but in a strange way,effective if you like that sort of thing.

 

Ah well clearly different people got different info, no great loss

 

Could it be a recurrence of the steam chest drain-cock issue? She was making a lot of noise, as of escaping steam on one piston stroke, coming up from Alresford.

 

I think it was simply a problem with the displacement lubricator.

 

Actually I was quite impressed by that - it's a decent little booklet with a bit of information on each loco and to supply it at no extra charge was really good when other railways would happily charge £3 for something like that.

 

My Father and I attended on Friday and Saturday and we have to say that the Gala rates as one of the best the MHR has staged. We arrived for the first trains on both days and the car park at Ropley was well filled even at 08.45! Bravo MHR! Still sorting pictures out at the moment and will post with a more detailed report tommorow.

 

Here are my efforts from Bowers Grove Lane on Saturday.
https://picasaweb.google.com/105454327852537837128/MidHantsSpringGala#

Cheers

 

Well I can only add to the resounding cheers that the gala was indeed a success!

I had only intended doing one day, but ended up doing both Friday and Saturday (Sunday Just didnt happen!), and thoroughly enjoyed myself on both days.

I turned up at Ropley early on Friday morning hoping to catch the engines coming "off Shed" only to find seven of them already in the platform!
Just like everyone else I assumed that Friday would be the quite day - How wrong could you be - the trains were packed - if this is what can be achieved with advanced publicity and a shameless plug on BBC South, then well done to one and all involved in the organisation and operation.

Now I cant wait for October!

Below are a few shots from Saturday


View attachment 2408 View attachment 2409 View attachment 2407 View attachment 2410 View attachment 2411 View attachment 2412 View attachment 2413 View attachment 2414

 

Well what an event!
Friday: My Father and I were quite shocked when we arrived at Ropley car park on Friday and saw how many people were already there. I won't repeat what my Father said! We even had to queue up for tickets (last time we had to do this was when 60163 was at the railway). On walking onto the platforms we found 5224 & 9017 waiting with the first service for Alton, the 9.17 non-stop run to Alton. 45379 was on the rear with 850 and 73096 simmering on the other platform. We caught the first service to Alton for a spirited run with the two Western loco's. The return from Alton was quite something with 9017 making a lot of noise! We also enjoyed a run behind 92212 paired with 31806, a cracking run with 92212 on her own after which there was some sort of fire on the frames of the loco at Medstead. We got held here for a while as the crew attempted to put out the fire and we had to wait for 45379 to come up from Alton as the crew of the Black 5 had to stop to deal with a lineside fire. Once down at Alton we returned with 92212 paired with 4953 for a cracking run up the bank. A real shame that 5224 failed but the railway coped very well and the timetable stayed pretty stable despite the loss of 5224 and the lineside fire. My pictures from Friday here:
http://steamtube.ning.com/photo/albums/mhr-spring-steam-gala-friday

Saturday: Again we arrived early and caught the non-stop run with 45379 on the front and 92212 on the rear. Again another vigourous performance from the 9F as the loco slipped several times as she shoved the Black 5 and the train out of Ropley. Whilst on this service we tried to plan our day with the revised timetable as worryingly 9017 was still in the yard at Ropley with 5224. Fortunately 9017 wasn't out of action after some attention to one of her drain cocks. We returned up the bank with 31806 and 92212 in fine form. Later on the trains were so packed we struggled to find room on a run behind 850. We had better luck on finding seats on a run with 4953 out of Alton. Highlight of the day though was the last train out of Alton headed by 3717 and 9017. What a run up the bank to Medstead. My hearing is still recovering!

Pictures from Saturday : http://steamtube.ning.com/photo/albums/mhr-spring-steam-gala-saturday

An outstanding event from the MHR. I can't wait until October!

 

Was there on the Sunday on the BBLS sales stand and from what I saw between customers it was a cracking event. Hardly any delays and very pleasant staff at Ropley who kept our team well supplied with tea and coffee. Thanks chaps, most appreciated.

 

Lots of people stayed around Ropley yard Friday and Saturday evening/night to see locos coming back on to shed.

 

I bought a couple of the CD's you had for sale, the GWR 175 title and the MHR title. Listened to the GWR album on the way home in the car. A great way to finish off the day on Saturday!