MHR Pre-Spring Gala - 9-11 Feb 2018

Many thanks!! It seems, with hindsight, it's highly likely there'll be a timetable/roster available this week

 

Have enjoyed my visit to this gala. Mixed weather - sleet and now bright sunshine.

It was good to see the Black Fives operating, and thanks are due to those who made it all happen.

 

A very good and most enjoyable day today.
I wasn't concentrating too much on photography as my Mum and I were looking after my Dad who was on his first Railway outing since being discharged from Hospital in December after suffering a brain haemorrhage in September.
My Dad really enjoyed himself today and the look of delight on his face when we travelled behind the Pannier up the bank in spectacular style made my Mum and I a little emotional.
The trains we travelled on were lovely and warm and we managed trips behind 45231, 1501, 45379 and 925. 1501 was very impressive up the bank. I even stood in a blizzard at Medstead to get a shot of her coming up from Ropley while my parents sat in the warm waiting room. 45231 also sounded back to her best on the 11.00 departure from Alton. Nice to see the two Standards lined up in the yard at Ropley.
Thanks to everyone involved for the event and a big thank you to everyone involved in getting the two Black Fives match fit in time for the event.
Here are some mobile pictures I managed to get from the day:

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

Great to hear you and your family had a good day at the gala.

 

Weather looks to be better on Sunday but tomorrow looks a bit iffy.

 

Mmm...I can report that the heater in the cab is not as effective as the QMB stove. Good job I fished out the thermal underwear for the afternoon.

 

A few of my shots from the first day of the new school term

For @21B (who seems to be hiding)

BR Class 03 - 03 197 by Tim White, on Flickr

A brace of 5s

Black 5 - 45231 Sherwood Forester & Black 5 45379 by Tim White, on Flickr

A small package of fun.

15xx Class 1501 by Tim White, on Flickr

1T57 at Medstead

Black 5 - 45231 Sherwood Forester by Tim White, on Flickr

 

I saw a bit of sun today, but alas not at the same time as I had my camera in hand and a train in front of me....very close at 10:00, sun 1 minute before and 2 after....

5-5 Special comin' down the line.... by Arle Images, on Flickr

but also some snow...

Ivatt Tank in Winter by Arle Images, on Flickr

and rain....

It's behind you.... by Arle Images, on Flickr

1501 looks nice on the freight

Pannier at Arleside by Arle Images, on Flickr

 

Good to speak to you at Alresford yesterday awaiting the 1T57.

Bill. <BJ>

 

Indeed, hope the video was OK...the sun did re-appear briefly in the afternoon, but I was too tired to do much!

 

Yes, an excellent day out. The weather was "interesting" to say the least. Snow coming down really heavily at Medstead. The wife loved it(!). A couple of photos attached to show the variety of conditions. Great seeing 2 Black 5s in operation. All credit to the technical bods for getting them fixed it time. A good start to the year

Andy

 

Some very good shots there, the " scrapyard Standards " look interesting, i know you guys were up against it, with several sick engines needing repair, only days before the event, so very well done to get everything fixed, Snow at Medstead,its not called the alps for nothing you know its nothing to leave Ropley, or Alton in bright sun shine, and arrive at Medstead in a blizzard.

 

Here are some of my Digital Camera shots (low res versions) from yesterday:
The two Fives recreating 1968 at Alton:

The brief blizzard at Medstead as 1501 climbs to the station:


1501 at Alresford after a lively run from Alton:
925 rolls into Alresford as 45379 waits to take the next train out:

My Dad happily reunited with an old friend:

76017 enters Ropley:

1501 rolls into Ropley in fading light:


Thanks once again to everyone involved for a great day which really cheered my Family up after a tough few months.

 

Hello. brilliant day on Friday. Thanks to all all Watercress for another brilliant event. Congratulations to engineers who sorted both Black 5's given the problems. Much appreciated.
Cheers, Andy

 

Great to see both black fives together this morning in the Sun at Stable Lane.

 

Managed to get up to Northside crossing earlier (before receiving a call requiring my urgent return) and got a glimpse of the Black 5's. What an impressive sight and sound they made. Pity I couldn't hang around any longer. Once again the gods have vomited on my plans and 1501 eludes me again!

 

pity you couldnt have dirtied up the Std 5, and 9f removed smokebox numbers had a last days of steam type cameo similar to what you did with Wadebridge whilst the 9f was sans Motion

 

I think the limited time was probably better spent fixing the 5s!

 

A few from yesterday morning...had other commitments in the afternoon. 73129 and/or Duty Druid also present for some of these!

Raising Steam by Arle Images, on Flickr

Fives Doubled by Arle Images, on Flickr

1501 bursts out by Arle Images, on Flickr

Van train near Ropley by Arle Images, on Flickr

Well done to the railway, a good line-up in the end and running to time all three days without any major problems!

 

Both sets of rods down Lee!