MHR Autumn steam gala 2011

Looking at the MHR site it looks like 60163 and 70000 will see considerable use on the line either side of the Gala as well with both loco's being used for footplate experience courses.

 

Excellent news - timetable now available with proposed allocations!:biggrin1:

 

That's quite impressive even though it is only a draft. Earlier trains again-Great news! There are some unusual combinations proposed: 4492 &/or the 9F/Wadebridge, 1744 doubleheading with 70000 on the Friday, with the tank working with 31806 on the saturday and Tornado on the Sunday. 1744 on her own is mainly on the Alresford - Ropley Shuttles. A shame she can't work a run over the whole line on her own. So much to see and travel behind and we can only come for two days! Looks like it's going to be very good.

 

Agree with you there Green Five, it is a shame the N2 isn't allowed to tackle the banks, though I reckon she could.

The loco combinations certainly are interesting, though we won't know for sure until they know which way the visitors will be facing. The N2 piloting the Brit and then Tornado gets my vote - and so does the 4492+60163 combo. ( I will definitely/ hopefully be on those)

Also I think its good that there are only a few double headers, giving us all a chance to experience the engines on their own, as much as I like double headed action - I thought that there was too much a the Spring gala - a slight sense of 'overkill'!

Surprised we're having the vans out again, would have preferred the freight - hey ho!

If things fall into place I shall be attending all three days, but maybe not to the very end (we shall see!)

 

I am not too keen on the doubleheaders with the larger loco's either Duty Druid. Seems a bit silly on five coach trains! Still, they have provided some spirited runs in the past.

 

How very true!

This time around, I'm glad that the N2 will get to go over the banks albeit in tandem, it'll certainly make a fine sight coming into Medstead!!!!!!

 

Anyone looking for the draft timetable here is the link:
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/Files/2011-10/AutumnSteamSpectacular2011Timetableincproposedlocoallocations.pdf
Or further details on the event:
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/Events/Autumn-Steam-Gala
Does anyone have a gradient profile for the MHR, I am hoping to visit for the gala, but I have never visited this railway before. Thanks
Looks like it ought to be a fantastic event. I have heard though that No:4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' had failed at the NYMR, or at least wasn't able to take part, hope she will be okay for this one!

 

There WAS a gradient profile on the OLD MHR website, certainly haven't seen it on the new one!

And yes - the MHR do put on a good show, so you should enjoy yourself.

 

I’m not sure you can go by the loco allocations on the time table because I’m lead to believe 34007 Wadebridge will be facing out of Alresford on her return from the Great Central gala. If she does return the other way round then she can’t double head with 850 Lord Nelson because both locos would be facing the wrong way round to each other for double heading. If you read the time table and look at the allocations for double heading then you can work out which way round the visiting locos should be.

4492 A4 Dominion of New Zealand smoke box out of Alresford.
60163 A1 Tornado smoke box out of Alresford
70000 BR Standard Class 7 Britannia out of Alresford

 

That I believe has been mentioned, it'll make a nice change to see the Spamcan pointing the other way, as don't forget the GCR can turn her on their newly commissioned turntable - we'll just have to wait and see..........

 

Thinking of attending each day as I want to ride behind most of the locos. The double headers sound interesting.

 

I also agree with both of you about this one. I can't see there being an issue with her tackling Medstead bank. From memory she is a 3P and should easily handle three coaches over the bank. Maybe it's more to do with coal and water capacity. There could be an issue with coaling this loco during the day with an intensive time table operating?

 

Regarding the spirited doubleheaded runs it looks like they are going to repeat the 31806 & 92212 combination. Here is a video I filmed at the Spring gala when the U and 9F were paired up. The 9F pulls away from Alton with vigour and pushes 31806 up the first part of the bank:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc099R0ZlFc

 

I'll try to describe it - it's 1 in 80 uphill from Alresford to Ropley, then 1 in 80 towards Medstead, increasing to 1 in 60 about half way. After Medstead station it's 1 in 200 to the summit at Boyneswood Bridge then 1 in 60 downhill towards Alton until the bottom of Medstead Bank then flat for a bit and finally 1 in 100 downhill into Alton.

Clear as mud?

 

Maybe they want to 'play it safe' with N2 just in case to prevent having to rescue her on the bank!

 

I'm sure they do! Having said that I notice that it hauled 6 coach trains over the whole length of the West Somerset which includes a couple of pretty meaty gradients (Crowcombe and Washford Banks).

Anyway - won't complain, should be a great gala. Let's hope all the visiting locos turn up in good shape. Rather dreading the "Tornado" effect though if the crush as the Severn Valley is anything to go by!

 

Thanks for that, it was all I was looking for too.
Yes, I'm a bit worried about the 'Tornado' effect as well!

 

Don't even go there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was bad enough when she turned up at the Spring gala last year, if they hadn't listened to people telling them what to expect - by implementing loco's changing trains, then it would have been utter madness with people staying on the same train as Tornado all day and nobody else getting a look in!

That said it is still going to be rather busy regardless of Tornado, the other three loco's are worthy in their own right - A (still without?) name plates Black Brit, a fully valenced Garter Blue A4, and a bloody gutsy N2 Tank! - so I'm expecting every train to be well loaded - I just hope the TTI's & station staff have invested in industrial quantity's of Valium, I think they're going to need it...........................

I have only seen the Brit and A4 hammering past on the mainline so it will be nice to get 'up close and personal' with them, and yes I shall take the shuttle out of Alresford with the N2.

Perhaps Tim could let us know the reason why the N2 isn't being allowed to go solo up the banks?..........

 

Hopefully she's been sorted then, at a previous gala (NYMR?) she seemed to be pretty gutless - quite a shame given how purposeful she looks.

Chris