MHR Spring Gala 23-25 March 2012

I'd vote for you Lee! I too am looking forward to the M7 visiting,as fara s I am concerned too many visiting locos can be a bad thing - I'd rather see home locos on interesting rakes (vans, PW, freight, mixed van and passenger) than two pacifics double heading a 5 coach set.

 

Me too!, but will he get sponsored Steve?

Regards
CHris:

 

Well said that man.


The M7 is the most important loco we can have on the MHR and will fit in well with the home fleet for this gala.

 

Ah, this is possibly why I have been asked to complete the project I am working on in time for the Gala, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Regards
Chris:

 

I loved the gala last Oct. It didn't clash with anything and I am already booked in a cottage at Swanage for this year. Real shame as I like to do both. Plus the date mid hants had last year meant the Friday was busy because the children were off school and the grandparents were looking after them.

 

Unfortunately, when three of the big heritage lines choose to hold their SSG's on the same weekend, it does rather reduce the availability of guest engines.

 

Let me see........

1. the first week in September isn't Autumn, it's late summer - the Autumn equinox isn't until 21st September.

2. Moving last years ASG away from the same week end as Swanage proved an out standing success, both the MHR and Swanage reaped the rewards.

3. It has been publicly stated that they want this years ASG to BIGGER and BETTER than last years, so if that is what they want to happen, then it is best to move the ASG to a later date as it needs to be a stand alone gala and NOT on the same weekend as Swanage - ergo if they are going to be shelling out a substantial amount on guest loco's and they don't get the crowds, then yes it could be financially suicidal - so NO the MHR management haven't done their sums!

I'm not knocking anyone or the railway, I, like you and a lot of others just want to see the line prosper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for the SSG, like you say lets wait and see, as the events page clearly states GUEST LOCO'S so who knows! Special Events | Watercress Line

 

I think not!

There's plenty out there - it just depends how far away you want to go and get them from!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I wouldn't mind seeing Prairie 4160 make a return visit. She didn't have much luck last time she came as she suffered a hot box on her first and only run during that Gala (can't remember what year).

 

I reckon the WSR will probably be wanting it for their SSG on the same weekend won't they? There's the problem with the clash of dates. Any visitors exchanging between the MHR, SVR or WSR can be instantly forgotten about.

 

4160 does not appear to be in use for the WSR Spring Gala as she is not mentioned on the gala page as one of the participants.

 

For anyone interested, I've just finished some slide scans from the End Southern Steam Gala back in 1997. Here is the link;

https://picasaweb.google.com/105454...thernSteamGala1997?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Cheers

 

I have found out some good news for the Saturday of the event. I'll be able to catch 2 Spam Cans in one day as 34007 should be in steam at the gala and 34067 is booked to haul the Bath and Bristol from Three Bridges to Bristol which should stop at Haywards Heath so i should be able to catch that before setting off on the train to Alton.

 

I was down at the line on Sunday, had a very pleasant day out behind both Tornado & Wadebridge - I also had some very interesting conversations with the staff both on the trains and at the stations, but these conversations have now left me a more than a little confused!

One lot are saying that the M7 will be the only guest loco at the gala, and that based on that, a lot of people who would normally attend the Spring gala aren't going to bother this time round!

The other lot on the other hand are saying that the railway is 'desperately' trying to source other visitors - I do hope that this is the case as the 'silence' emanating from the MHR at the moment is deafening!

So could somebody tell me is just the M7 OR are we likely to see a couple more visitors?................................

 

Usual story there then....one group says something, another says something else. Consistent information is hard to come by on preserved railways! If you're desperate to know I should give the Marketing Manager a call.

What really doesn't make sense is having this event the same weekend as the Severn Valley who have a very interesting line-up for their Spring Gala and of course the West Somerset. For those of us who cannot find a way of attending all three the Mid-Hants seems the least appealing which is a shame considering what cracking galas they had last year.

 

The MHR always have their spring galas towards the latter part of March, clashing with the West Somerset Gala is nearly always unavoidable, because their gala is always spread over the latter two weekends.

April is out of the question because of Thomas and friends and any earlier in March and you risk cold and unpredictable weather. I well remember a MHR spring gala that was held many years ago in late February it was bloomin freezing and i am glad they have never chosen February again for a special event.

So we are where we are, so to speak. Its a shame there are date clashes but unfortunately there are only a certain number of weekends in March to choose from.

P.S Why does it always seem to me, that people on this forum seem to think thats its the MHR`s fault that their event clashes with someone else.

 

Well said that man.

Ps don't forget this is also a good opportunity for people from the north of England to visit both railways over one weekend. So there is a positive view on having two galas clashing.

 

Although to do that they'd have to go right past the SVR which, although granted i'm a wee bit biased, has a more attractive sounding gala this time around over the same weekend...

 

Received my copy of the Mid Hants News yesterday and in Colin Chambers piece he states: ""I keep being asked when the T9 is coming, and can now answer that question - March 2012"

The question is obviously, will there be two Drummonds up the bank this spring?

 

Sorry to dash your hopes on the rocks BUT That is actually a typo! She is booked for NEXT March as the B&W still have exclusive use!

Bloomin' proof readers....................................:rolleyes1: :doh: