MHR Spring Gala 23-25 March 2012

Handled correctly the M7 is an extremely capable locomotive. Certainly my favourite of our fleet.
5 Coaches over the alps will be no problem at all. 2nd valve, 35-40% and no more. It won't prime that way and will just keep on accelerating. Any more than 40% in 2nd valve and she will pick her water.
Get her into 2nd valve by putting her in about 5-10%, and ease the reverser out...SLOWLY and listen! Be aware, the steam reverse needs you to just tap it with the your hand. Its just like getting a tap to just dribble. It will then start to slowly creep to where you want it. Don't go by numbers on the rack, she will tell you when she is happy. 30% is often enough when you look down at the rack after you have locked it.
If you try to force her into 2nd valve when she is far out, she just won't take it and will prime, pull her up, let her out and watch the chimney and listen.

When pulling it up from anywhere other than 75, the reverser has a tenancy to drop out a little before coming back. Be aware of this, especially in 2nd valve. If she is accelerating too hard in 2nd valve and you are out in 30-40% then the lever will drop forward then come back when pulling her up. This can and does cause her to drop out to 45% and pick her water up. The key is to drop the regulator into 1st valve, pull her up to 20-25% or even mid gear on slight gradients and the regulator will just re slip into 2nd valve.

The fireman has to keep on top of her though and thats where the fun lies. You cannot carry the water much over half a glass or she just wants to prime. Therefore you want a dish shaped fire, thicker in the back. If she starts to turn her nose up, fill the back end up...thats often the problem. If that doesn't solve the problem, chuck a bit more up the front. 3 across the front is enough most of the time.
If you can see the firebox sides then sort it out, because you wont have time to make the heat back, especially on heavy loads. Remember DISH!!! Leave the middle alone and use plenty of damper to get her hot.
Once she is settled get the injector on and trim it back....leave it on.

So yeah there you go......its a bloody riot! I would love to take her up with load 6 on the MHR!

 

After having her romping away last year on 6 up our banks, you're not the only one who would love a go! From a fireman's point of view, if you get her right she's one of those locos that just steams better the more the driver works her. For 107 years old, it's unbelievable.

 

Many thanks for taking the time to post that - most informative!

certainly looking forward to seeing her at the GCR next weekend.

Here's hoping the powers that be let her do a least one solo trip over the Alps each day, like they did with the N2 (I was lucky enough to be behind her on the Sunday when she had an impromptu solo round trip- she just made it up the bank from Alton on wet rails!)

 

I was also on the N2's full trip up to Alton on the Sunday though stayed at Alton after. She did sound good. Hopefully 53 will get to do more runs to Alton than 1744 but if she does do one full trip a day I'll try to get on it.

As for another visitor maybe 30120 or 24 Calbourne to add another LSWR loco. Either would make me happy but even 53 has me wanting to go.

 

I to would love to see another tank engine at the gala - double headed tanks up the banks....... wonderful!

As for 30120 I think we'll have to wait a little longer as the B&W have exclusivity at the moment :wink:

 

Maybe next year to celebrate 90 years since the formation of the Southern Region! Along with a Beattie, O2 and King Arthur as well as a return for 53. Now that would suit me very nicely thank you very much!

 

I thought I read somewhere that 30120 was going to Didcot in May of this year for their Gala event so she might start travelling around a bit...............

 

The T9 is booked for next year's Spring gala apparently!

 

28th September 2012 is 130th anniversary of birth of OVSB!

 

Maybe thats the Autumn Gala sorted. There will be 34070, 34028, 34053, 35028 (which is unlikely but would be a great coup), 34046 and 34067 to choose from. Admittedly it probably won't be all of the first 3.

 

True!

Be interesting to see how the MHR, Bluebell & Swanage cooperate with (hopefully) complementary Galas and not too much of a loco merry go round!

Don't forget there's also the LNER & LMS as well, at least we won't have to suffer any tub thumping/chest beating from over zealous lovers of Brasso for a change!!!!

As for your suggested line up, that would be nice to see, better if you stick the T9 in there as well.

 

I wonder what alse we will get?

Regards
Chris:

 

Are you referring to this year or next year Chris?

And can I ask what rakes the wagon group is planning to run at this Springs gala, or is it hush hush at the moment? I really enjoyed the mixed freight & engineers rakes at last years Autumn bash.

Dave

 

This year Dave

Regards

 

That will do very nicely!

 

34046 maybe?

 

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing some smaller loco's for a change, yes its nice to be able to 'play' with the big stuff, but with only five on, single or double headed thy're not exactly being worked are they!

Give some 'pocket rockets' a chance to show what they can do up the banks for a change!!!!!!!!!

 

I have to agree that the smaller locos have a greater interest to me when they visit the Mid Hants ... its a Big engine railway for all of the year so smaller becomes interesting .. However in this day and age of Thomas the Tank Engine the general public only know the Big Names rather than the smaller locos .
Now if the NRM were to turn out 4472 in Blue as Gordon then you wouldnt be able to move.. And I bet evan more so than if it were plain old Flying Scotsman ...

 

Scotsman as Gordon is feasible if he/she goes into BR Blue livery.................. Now how about a gala featuring only engines from Thomas the tank engine stories.......... It could be done:
4472 as Gordon, 3440 featured in the books IIRC, Terrier Stepney, a green Black 5 for Henry, an Orange 9F for Murdoch, a grey A4 for Spencer, Adams tank 488 is mentioned I think, Duck is a GWR Pannier tank, Oliver is a 14XX tank............. I could go on. There is a short list here Characters of the Railway Series: Thomas the Tank Engine of what the loco's are based on.

 

4472 also appears in at least one of the books and I think the TV series (there's a cameo in one episode of her second tender which maybe her only appearence) of Thomas so maybe no need for her to appear as Gordon