MHR Pre-Spring Gala, S & D theme: 17-19th February 2017

It's a pity 2999 is not finished, it could visit as "Lady of the (K)night"....I'll get me coat!

 

I'm struggling to understand the downer some people on here seem to have for a home fleet gala.
When you have visiting engines, you tend to see fewer of the home locos in action, as obviously it makes sense to run the visitors.

So for £4 more than a normal running day you'll get to see the whole (available) home fleet running, a more intensive timetable, freight, stalls, bar, presumably access to the sheds etc.

I for one am looking forward to it and the forthcoming running season.

 

I've already said this but people always want more. Over the years steam galas have come bigger and with this comes extra costs there is chance the railway could lose money if paying customers don't turn up. So a smaller gala has a better chance to making a bigger profit. It's still a good line up of locos for a gala. Wouldn't mind seeing 92212 with eight or nine coaches behind it.

 

Think I've mentioned in previous posts, but have a look at what's on in the summer! Some people want everything and they want it now! To me (as someone who's never travelled on the Mid Hants) this looks a pretty decent event. If some of these moaners aren't happy why don't they get out their armchairs and do something about it? Drives me bloody mad...

 

What is up with 925 at the moment? I see she isn't listed for the summer gala currently.

 

Las

Last I heard, she was stopped for mechanical overhaul. The most recent MHR News stated that the extent of the frame cracks were being assessed and an agreed repair procedure to be agreed with the NRM. I'm presuming that this work is currently being undertaken but I'm sure there are some more knowledgeable than myself who could confirm if this is the case or not?

 

Looking forward to this gala, 4 locomotives on a yet un visited railway. Can't wait

Does anyone know what time roughly the first train arrives at Alton?

 

You are correct. This is from the MHR website, loco blog 11th Jan


"Cheltenham’s intermediate overhaul continues. One of the items being attended to is the vacuum brake cylinder. The cylinder sides had worn smooth so they’d been machined to make microscopically small ridges to give the rolling rubber sealing ring something to grip onto. The cylinder was being re-fitted into Cheltenham by a team working under Matt or Marks guidance.

Another Cheltenham job was to remove the bushes from the connecting and coupling rods. Paul had done one of the coupling rods earlier on and I joined him with another couple of helpers to tackle one of the connecting rods. It probably weighs in at about ½ ton so it took some manoeuvring to get it through the shed to where it could be lifted by the fork truck into position on the hydraulic press. We left the rods from the other side to give the Thursday gang some exercise."

 

Do you mean first SWT or MHR train?

For SWT:
Friday 05:00 from Waterloo, reaching Alton at 06:42
Saturday 05:00 from Waterloo, reaching Alton at 06:41
Sunday 08:07 from Waterloo, reaching Alton at 09:31

I've not seen a timetable for the Mid Hants yet, however, if the past couple of galas are anything to go by, the first Departure from Alton to Alresford is 09:45

 

Get a Crompton out and have a Mixed Traction gala, reliving the days of the implementation of diesels...

 

Thanks LC2, I meant the first MHR train, but thanks for the advice.

 

As I recall, the 33 did a turn at the previous steam gala.

 

It did. Lighting was perfect for Royal Scot, and then.......
Thunderbird 33 by Arle Images, on Flickr

 

Nice Photo Hampshire Unit, would be nice to include the 33

 

According to the MHR Facebook page, they won't be including the diesels, since none of them are steam heated. Timetable should be confirmed next week, as well.

 

Gets my vote. Can't go wrong with a Crompton.

 

Surely the Thumper has it's own on-board heating and could be used?

 

Likewise, but I guess not. Shame really, as it would've been nice to see the Diesel fleet out in action.

 

Given the freight is out to play - shuttles & full line, I'm guessing it'll be a 40 minute timetable with only 4 in steam..... makes sense!

 

Wait for the box gala in October!