MHR Spring Gala 12-14th February 2016

Surely 30120 might as well be based on the MHR again at this stage given it seems to spend every other month working there at some point?

 

Probably more chance Satan will need to invest in some heavy duty snow boots than 31806 being loaned to the MHR at this stage I'd imagine.

 

I would hope that the Swanage railway might put good working relations before politics, after all the MHR have loaned them engines such as 925 , if it was the case that Swanage were instructed you can not allow the MHR to have this engine for a gala, then, would not the MHR, be justified in refusing the Swanage railway the loan of an engine that was based on its line, if asked? i'm not saying they would, both lines have a very good relationship and i'm sure both would not wish to upset the other.

 

It would be pretty mean spirited to take retaliatory action of the kind you suggest if Mr Bunch was to refuse Swanage Railway permission to lend 31806 to MHR, particularly since that outcome could be anticipated in any event. Far better to accept that past history is as it is and get on with supporting each other for the common good.

 

Any body stopped to think, it might be a tad too soon to think about having the U boat back, considering it hasn't been gone long?..................

Anyway, I for one would rather see a Std 4 tank giving it some grunt up the banks!

 

or a pair of Ivatt 2 tanks ??

 

At what point do you get diminishing returns with extra visitors? The Q + T9 + home fleet are exciting enough anyway; there must come a point whereby adding extra visiting engines to the mix does not result in sufficient extra passengers (over and above those who would be attracted by the first two) to be financially worthwhile.

Tom

 

By the time the gala comes around, the home fleet will be down one, with 850 bowing out on Xmas Eve - will the Black 5 be available?....... I hope so!, as she'll need to be run to make sure the repairs are sound.

So, maybe we will see a n other guest............ if we do, personally I'd like to see a small to medium sized engine.

 

it depends on what your wanting to sell to potensial visitors, if there were 2 ivatts .were availible then it would have to be done in such a way to maximise the income

 

Visitors are nice, but I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to see 41312 & 76017 out and about at the gala.
Those 2 by themselves should be the stars and more than enough to encourage decent attendance.

 

That's if one or both are ready........ Mid Feb isn't that far away, and you have the Xmas shut down to contend with........

 

That's true, but I believe the aim is for them to be ready (9 weeks?)
The Q and the T9 will be great, but I want to see the Ivatt and 4MT (stomp stomp stomp )

 

Best get down to the Ropley home for the bewildered & roll yer sleeve's up & get stuck in then!

 

I can't see the T9 being based at MHR, the reason why the T9 is visiting so much is due to B&W is not long enough for her to run on so they hire her out a lot which brings in money for them!

 

There has now been a further update on the MHR site:

"Our two guest locos have been confirmed as SR Q Class No. 30541 courtesy of the Bluebell Railway and LWSR T9 Class No. 30120 courtesy of the National Railway Museum. Our Ivatt Tank No. 41312 will be back in steam and it will be the last gala for West Country Class No. 34007 'Wadebridge' as her boiler ticket expires in early March."

Doesn't look like 76017 is going to be ready for this event.

 

There's always the Autumn gala. Just have to wait a bit longer to see 76017 in steam again.

 

Does anyone know which way 41312 faces currently?

 

Off topic slightly but does B&W take the hire fee for the T9 and pay some to NRM or is it all through the latter?

 

Towards London (smoke box out of alresford)