Mid Hants Railway Autumn Steam Gala 25-27th October 2013.

They're in the Information Office on Platform 1 at Alresford. Just turn right as you come on to the platform through the main Booking Hall.

 

Hello all info required please noted on the WTT wagon tours at Medstead could anyone advise what it is they do sorry if i come over as thick but only my second visit and first was the Diesel gala cheers all Dave

 

The wagon tours show the excellent work the guys involved with restoring the wagons on the line do. I did one last year and it was very informative and interesting.

 

Thank you kind Sir!!

 

Cheers for the info might delay a trip or two to have a look Dave

 

I shall be going Saturday. Will hope to go behind the visitors, mainly 34046 asI haven't seen her yet (although its only down to do one solo run from Alresford to Alton on each day) but the Bulleid double header should be good anyway. Be good to see 70000 in green (I have seen it like this before at Didcot but I was only about 3 so don't remember it) and hopefully clock up some more miles behind 60163.

 

Hello David:

I shall be your guide on the tours at 11, 12, 1 and 2 "o" clock , so please meet on the up platform at M4M say 5 minutes before the hour.

They are free , and they show that we do more than just restore wagons.

Please introduce yourself when when we meet on the platform.

Kind regards
Chris Willis

 

A31 round Alton closed in both directions due to a traffic incident.

 

Wadebridge just had a huge slip at the Shrave on the freight, but still stormed the gradient!

 

Hello Chris shall certainly try to meet up if the timetable goes as planned should be around 12-00 visit fingers crossed Dave

 

Just out of interest, and doubtless taking this waaaaaay off topic, the adverts on Youtube videos, what's the return like? I'm not a fan particularly so am not keen on putting them on (although AdBlocker in Chrome filters a lot out anyway), but is it a decent amount the "average" person gets?

Keeping it on topic, was at the gala today and was very well run and organised, was good to get the chance to see "behind the scenes" at Ropley and also good to use the new footbridge, opens up a raft of new possibilities. Will stick some photos up after going back tomorrow.

 

On my fairly small youtube channel I get the square root of sod all from adverts. But I think maybe our very skilled and dedicated video makers on here may get some petrol money from adverts.

 

Had an excellent first day at the Gala today. Fortunately the rain stopped as we arrived at Ropley. Watched the first departure with 925 + 31806 disappear in a cloud of steam then later boarded the second train with 70000. Things went well until the Black 5 had injector problems whilst hauling the freight and she had to pause at Medstead for a while as the crew tried to bring her round. The timetable went a little off track after this but the time was well recovered and the services were pretty much back on time for the afternoon/early evening period.
Highlights of the day were:
Travelling on the delayed 12.40 departure from Alton with 45379 which had fully recovered. What followed was an awesome attack on Medstead bank. Haven't heard any loco make such a loud & spirited ascent of the bank for some years. Magic! Especially barking through the cutting leading up to Medstead Station.
Standing on Alresford footbridge as 34007 stormed through the station with the van train having worked from a standing start outside of the station from the head-shunt. (Will post video of this on Sunday)
Listening to the chatter of a Bulleid from the comfort of the dining stock as 34046 worked the 15.55 from Alresford faultlessly over the Alps to Alton.
Watching 34046 + 34007 roll into Medstead together and into the sunlight. Beautiful sight for SR enthusiasts.
And travelling on the 17.20 departure from Alton with 70000 + 34046 in charge. A superb start from the station with both loco's putting in a lot of effort and there was much enthusiastic whistling from both loco crews throughout the run back to Ropley where we left the train.
Roll on tomorrow when my Father and I are back for runs behind 60163 and 31806 and possibly the Bulleid Doubleheader.

Thanks to all involved for a great event.

 

Trains seemed well occupied despite the poor weather.

Lets hope it fills the coffers.

 

Very enjoyable day today very wet at times shame that brauton was failed at 15:00 with a brake problem hopefully this will be rectified for Sunday

 

70000 now to work 1555

A very wet day. 70000 vgood again but Tawnado creeping around a bit. Nellie also good

Don

 

I heard the issue was with a tender axle box oil pad and will be ok for tomorrow.

 

I was on the 34046 / 70000 train (note to organisers, don't put visitors on the dining set with lower seating capacity, it just causes problems with lack of space) and Tornado seemed to be about 15-20 minutes late getting into Medstead on the 13.15 off Alton. Was she having problems or was it just one of those foibles of galas where something gets compounded thanks to the timetable?

 

No problems with Tornado as far as I know. It left Alton about 15 late as it was waiting for the up train (which I was on) headed by 850 to arrive. This was late as we waited about 15 minutes at Ropley for the freight headed by 31806 to come past. Maybe this had problems, but I couldn't be sure. It only takes one issue to throw the timetable out and there isn't much recovery time built into the Mid Hants timetables. Actually things got almost back on schedule later but then there was the problem with Braunton.......

 

Not such a good day today for photography but really enjoyed the travelling today with trips behind 60163 (being driven cautiously), 31806 (barking very well up to Medstead), 70000 (in fine form standing in for the failed 34046) & 45379.
An eventful day :
- Weather was absolutely foul and the trains were rammed full as a result. I heard lots of moaning from passengers as a lot of them had to stand. I must say it was a little annoying that the trains were only five carriages. We tried to board the double-headed Bulleids returning from Alton but were turned away as the train (the Dining Stock) was already full when entering Medstead. Previous Gala's have had six carriage formations but I heard today that to facilitate double-headed trains with the new signalling system they can only run five carriage formations.
- A couple of steam heating pipes on one of the trains burst at Alton.
- A real shame about 34046 this afternoon. We were in the yard at Ropley when she was taken off the working with 70000. Sad to see the star of the show retiring early. But she should be in action tomorrow.
- 45379 seems to have picked up the "West Coast Bug" with a sticking drain cock.

Hope all goes well for those visiting tomorrow. Looks like the MHR has really done well out of this event as the visitor numbers have been excellent over the last two days.