MHR Autumn steam gala 2011

I may try to go to this and go by train to Alton. Be nice to see 60163 in BR Brunswick Green and I haven't seen 60007 since 1999 and haven't been to the Mid Hnats since 2009 and then I didn't ride behind any trains that was about 2006 the last time I did.

 

Yes 60007 comes south on 30th September. It is not due to go to Barrow Hill. It will stay in the south until December when, all being well, it will return home on a railtour. Details will be on SNGLPT website as they are confirmed.

Also 60007 will be available for Footplate experience days while at the Mid Hants. Contact MHR for details, dates etc.

 

Thanks for the clarification No.7.

It will definitely be good to see her on Mid Hants metals & Barrow Hill get Bittern in what ever guise - October is shaping up to be a very good month indeed!

 

My thoughts are as follows:
-The MHR website says 'more news to follow'
-I believe that there WILL be another visiting loco, however I think which one it is could be dependant on the state of 4472 at the time of the gala
-I believe that if Flying scotsman is back to running order by the time of the gala, the mid hants have FS at the gala, making and A1, A3 and A4 line up
-Due to the nature of the gala, i reckon that if FS is not ready, or does not come, then an engine like Britannia may be brought in, bearing in mind jeremy hoskings also owns 92212, which of course is based on the MHR.

Also to bear in mind, the MHR has 2 of the NRM's engines, 850 Lord Nelson, and 925 Cheltenham, so its not like the NRM don't know the MHR well.
I think very possibly depending on scotsman, we may see 4472 at this gala, or at least sometime in the very near future.

An A1, A3 and A4 in an actual gala, not just a line up, now you're talking serious visitor numbers.

 

That would massively be worth visiting. I already plan to go but that would make it even better. I would still be happy if 70000 was brought in should 4472 not be ready.

 

Oh Ye of little faith !

Scotsman will be ready.

I know that at the moment we are all making supposition that 4472 will be a the gala, and as I said earlier it would make perfect sense to get 60163 + 4472 to the Mid Hants at the same time as they are both due to attend Barrow Hill two weeks prior ( If the event goes ahead).

As for the Gala "crowds" I think the place will be mobbed regardless of the weather (given that there is the possibility of Three iconic engines being in the same place at the same time) - I think all the station & TTi's are going to need a constant supply of valium just to cope.

October - Bring it on!

 

Maybe of some interest to LNER fans

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Latest/View/468

 

I like the extra 7 pence added to the price.

Lucky it's not a Britannia or 9F - that would be even more expensive.

Richard

 

Well knock me down with the proverbial feather!

1st Tornado, then SNG and now Britannia. Hats of to the bods at the MHR for that one!

This is going to turn out to be a very good gala indeed, lets just hope that those at notwork rail dont come up with any gauging/ pathing issues a week before the locos are due to arrive like the Spring Gala!

 

Excellent news regarding 70000. Quite a line up for the Autumn: 850, 34007, 31806, 45379, 5224 ?, 60007, 60163, 70000 and 92212. What a shame that 73096 will be out of action by then. Could have had 3 great Standards in action! Lets hope the weather is still okay at that time of year!

 

I wont pray that the weather stays fine as I'm not religious - but I will keep my fingers crossed!

Though having said that - I think there will be a good turn out regardless of what the weather does.

The team At the MHR also has to be applauded for their advanced marketing of the events this year, which probably helped a great deal in drawing the crowds for the Spring Gala, I for one didn't expect the crowds that turned up on the Friday!

As for the loco allocations/ double heading - I think we will see some very interesting combo's & motive power overkill - Brit & 9F, A1 & A4 anyone? - All dependant of course on which way round the guest engines will be facing.

 

I've got another reason to go now as 70000 is confirmed. I've not seen this loco (though I've seen 70013 twice). Also its been to Ropley before in the early 90's.

 

I've amended my earlier post as I am not religious either!

It's just a thought but does the railway currently have enough rolling stock to run longer formations at the October Gala as some of the trains last month were standing room only and most of the trains last year when Tornado came (in the Spring) were completely full and many people were disappointed they couldn't get on. With the larger engines taking centre stage perhaps something like the 2002 Gala with 6024 could be staged i.e. One 8 or 9 coach formation hauled up the grades with each loco taking a turn. IIRC the "Green Train" ML rake was used for the 9 coach formation, other services being formed of 6 and 5 coach rakes.

 

Ah but have you considered the length of the platforms on the MHR?

regards
Chris:

 

Surely the issue is the length of loops rather than platforms?

 

Good point - the Mid Hants did seem a little short of stock at at the last gala. They managed to put together four 5 coach rakes but that did include using the dining set and the LMS saloon which don't have the capacity of a normal coach. I wonder whether they have considered hiring in extra stock? The West Somerset have done this in the past. In particular the "Green Train" doesn't seem to get used for much other than Cathedrals Express trains these days so would it be possible to get at least some of it back for the weekend?

I remember the 9 coach formations both in 2002 and in 2001 when a highlight for me was the 34016/35005 double-headers. It did cause some problems though in that the platforms are not long enough and also the run-round loops at Alton and Alresford are not long enough meaning that a different loco would have to take the train out from the one that brought it in - either that or some kind of messy procedure like they used before (steam loco detaches before entering station and goes into loop, diesel appears and pulls train into station, steam loco re-attaches to other end ready for departure).

 

I have video footage of the "End of SR Steam" gala in 2007 with the mainline stock brought in. With 35005 (I mean 35008) on the front waiting in the headshunt at Alresford on its way (to London Waterloo) Maybe they can hire this stock for the day?

 

When the WSR hired in the SRPS' railtour set was it moved ECS from Bo'ness or had it been in the vicinity beforehand?

 

I think it was in the vicinity for some mainline charter work including the ill-fated attempt to climb the bank to Exeter Central. They have also brought in part of the Green Train and some stock from Riviera trains at various galas. However I note that they seem to have enough stock of their own to cope now although I think there are still 3 or 4 coaches on long term hire.

It's got to be easier / cheaper hiring something from Eastleigh or Southall than Scotland!

 

Your forgetting one important thing - the Tornado effect!

cast your mind back to last years Spring Gala & remember that 60163 et al were coming off trains & picking up a different rake sitting in the platform At Alton or Arlesford, to make it fair for everybody to get a ride behind her - I think they may well have to do it again in October ( I know that I want to get at least one ride behind all three) - if they dont then they will have the problem of a 'small minority' hogging a particular rake of coaches, leading to a lot of upset people!

If they run the same timetable as March, then I reckon that it would work a treat (substitute one of the van slots with a rake of wagons - perfect!).

As an aside Green Five, you said on a different thread that once the Standard Five is 'retired' in September, that you just mike have to change you nickname - how about BLACK FIVE:behindsofa: