Mid Hants Diesel Gala: 20th to 22nd October 2017.

Mid Hants Website now updated with two visiting locomotives:

- D9002 "The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry”

- 47579 "James Nightall GC"

 

47579 was named "James Nightall G.C." on September 28th 1981. The nameplates were removed in 1995 when it became 47793. In this guise it carried RES livery and later EWS livery. I'm very glad to see it back in Rail Blue livery with the "James Nightall GC" nameplates as 47579. It's shown here, in revised Network SouthEast livery, on the blocks at Paddington after bringing the sleeper ECS from Old Oak on 8th June 1990.

 

According to WNXX forum 47579 is staying for three years. With any luck there will be a few running days in 2018 for 47579.

 

Gone a bit 'Dame Edna' with the window frames…

Simon

 

I think you're on to something there as I've looked at a lot of pictures of 47s in Revised NSE livery and almost all have blue window frames.

 

47596 has them at the Mid Norfolk, I rather like them like that though.

 

Looking on the MHR web site I see D6700 has now been added to the list of locos for the gala.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/product.php/25/diesel-gala

 

33202 and 03197 have also been added to the line up of locos for this years diesel gala.

03197
33053
33202
47579
50027
D6700
D9002
1125 Hampshire Unit

Looks to be a good line up to me.

 

Lion was being spruced up in the yard at Ropley yesterday in preparation for the Gala.


Network South East Class 50 50 027 Lion by Tim White, on Flickr

 

03197 arrived at Alresford this morning

 

https://www.watercressline.co.uk/shopimages/Diesel Gala 2017 PTT.pdf

Timetable and loco roster are now online.

James

 

All ready at Ropley last night and everything seems OK today although I've not seen all the visitors out. Quite a few cars in the field (car park) at Ropley this morning

D6700 this morning...

D6700 at Northside lane by Arle Images, on Flickr

 

D9002 is awaiting a part.....so not been out this morning

 

Is the field car park open at Ropley? I read somewhere that it wasn't?

 

It was certainly open today, nothing on the website to indicate it will be shut tomorrow, parking in the field is specifically mentioned on the DG page

 

Cheers. Will be there on Sunday so hoping the lineside trees stay in an upright position following the passage of Brian!

 

An interesting day at the Diesel Gala.
Things didn't quite go as smoothly as planned, but the crews and operations team were up to the job of ensuring that all the locos had a turn and that the timetable didn't get too far out.

A couple of shots from first thing in the morning at Ropley

Class 33 Crompton - 33 202 & Class 50 - 50 027 Lion by Tim White, on Flickr


Class 55 Deltic D9002 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry by Tim White, on Flickr

D6700 waiting to depart Ropley LE to Alresford

Class 37 D6700 by Tim White, on Flickr

08 377 with the first Up service from Alresford

Class 08 - 08 377 by Tim White, on Flickr

D6700 in the early afternoon sunshine at Alresford

Class 37 D6700 by Tim White, on Flickr


KOYLI awaiting the down train at Medstead

Class 55 Deltic D9002 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry by Tim White, on Flickr

 

@Hampshire Unit that is a cracker mate

 

Yes, a very good day in Hampshire yesterday! Unfortunately, I missed KOYLI running as had to return home before they managed to sort out the problem. However, did see it move at Ropley early doors and the Napier howl was very evocative!
Made a couple of trips and trains seemed about half to two-thirds full although I'm sure weekend forecast and lack of 47 has put quite a few off. Hope the Mid-Hants see it as a success since this is a first 'go' at a diesel gala for a couple of years and they may decide it's not worth the considerable hassles if it doesn't do well.
Tim, I must have bumped into you at Ropley at some point as I have some very similar images!!

 

All locos running today! Spare part arrived so both D6700 and D9002 in action. My wife asked what the strange noise was this morning as the Deltic pulled out of the headshunt, I had to explain about Napier Noise...