MHR Spring Gala 23-25 March 2012

I think that it is a typo, Colin's piece in the latest Communication Cord says it is booked for Spring 2013!

 

That did cross my mind as surely that combo would be worth shouting from the rafters! To be quite honest with you though, PHEW!!!!! I can't make this springs gala and was getting quite perplexed at possibly missing it. So can we assume a Southern Gala next spring for the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Southern Railway? With the home fleet that have the potential of being available it should be an absolute cracker!

Sorry, gone off at a tangent here. Anyone got a cold bucket of water handy?

 

I'm led to believe that this years Autumn gala is supposed to have a 'Southern' theme to it (but don't quote me on it, its only what I was told by one of the station staff at Alresford on Sunday - unless they've got their galas mixed up!) BUT you'd expect lines in the South to go OTT in celebrating all things Southern next year ( be interesting to see what happens out on the mainline!)

 

That's because it can't be guaranteed that her winter maintenance will be finished in time, therefore she is not available.

 

Ordered my 3 Day ticket the other day. Also gives me a chance to use my new camera on steam locos rather than using a cameraphone.

 

So its 'official' then - just the M7 only as a guest loco (for the moment maybe?)

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/Fil...la2012TTNOlocoallocationsAutumnGalaTT2011.pdf

 

It has been known for a while that the only visiting engine is the M7 as there are only 6 footplate crews rostered for the gala (+1 at weekends to provide relief)

 

If that is the case and those in 'the know' have known for sometime, then the MHR should have amended the website to reflect this, as at the moment the MHR are actually breaking the law as the website states quite clearly VISITING GUEST LOCOMOTIVES (in the plural not the singular) ergo under the sale of goods and services act that is a serious misrepresentation of what is on offer and I doubt Joe Public will be very impressed!

 

To be fair to the MHR though although the events list does say guest locomotives but when you click on the Spring Gala it does suggest that 53 is the only visitor.

Looking at the timetable as it currently is the M7 is doing full round trips rather than the one round trip like 1744 did at the ASG.

 

How many coaches can it manage "Over the Alps" ?

 

How many do you think?

 

I think the M7 will run with a three coach set, just a guess mind. As to how many it "could" manage, I'll let others with greater knowledge of Tractive effort, adhesive weight and steaming capabilities comment!

 

Den Anhang 4244 ansehen To probably confirm the last time the M7 entertained the passengers over the Alps she ran with three coaches.No doubt she could manage more but who knows what the weather will throw at us over the weekend ! .
Some other photos are here in the visiting locos gallery. Visiting Locomotives

 

I would think an M7 should be able to take four coaches over the line. It's got a better tractive effort than 41312 and I remember seeing her take four coaches over the line before. Put this loco in the correct hands and you would be prized what she can do.

 

We used to have the ivatt regularly on the Belle, 4 coaches including the BG with a heavy genset in it. Normally OK, but one or two evenings in October and November when we failed to get up to M4M from Alton, my son was a technician on one trip that was 2 hours late, got back to Alresford at 00:30! So three for the M7 would seem prudent if there is rain or frost.

 

Medstead cutting can be a problem early or late season, an engine like the M7 if the railhead was damp would most likily get into problems anything with large drivers needs very careful handling so whilst it could in theory take 5 up, its best to limit it to 3 bogies the T9 also i can remember slipping and sliding up to medstead and picking up several times and barely making it , after that she double headed most times she was out

 

Seems like 3 coaches will be the order of the day then!

 

I bet that someone contradicts that on the day

Regards
Chris

 

What year was that? I don't recall seeing it at the MHR - I have been going there since 2000

 

I remember seeing it at Alresford sometime in the 90's - I was working in the West Country Buffet, so I think it must have been 1997/1998 ???
Could be totally wrong! Last time I saw 53 was at Eastleigh in 2009