Mid Hants Railway Autumn Gala featuring 'Bahamas'

Just remember to duck as you leave Ropley for Medstead!

 

And in the other direction, as well as Hampshire hunt, on the Alton section historic note, a member of the footplate was killed hitting the low bridge on the Alresford Section, he was standing up in the tender puling coal foreward facing away from the bridge, and got hit by it. I remember it because, I was a cleaner, and helped him clean the engine, that day,

 

If the railway has any sense they'll have the Jubilee & 7F both facing the country, that would keep a few non ticket holders away.

 

That's normally the weekend that the farmers are muck spreading.

 

And the ground where the photographers want to stand just happens to need a lot of cow sh*t spreading on it.

 

It's very good for clearing the sinuses I hear,

 

What has been noticeable over the last ten or so years is the amount of photographers have decreased on the line side or adjacent fields. There are lots of places photographers can go without trespassing. Poeople just need to get hold of a ordnance survey map.

 

Whilst I can understand wanting to get in close, some of my favourite shots are actually from a good distance away from the line.

For example, this one was shot from some 500m from the line on Horse Lane, perfectly legally through a gap in the tree line.


BR Std 9F - 92212 by Tim White, on Flickr

 

Nice photo there Tim.

 

And one from further up the hill, where a public footpath descends towards the A31

Black 5 at Rookwood by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

Actually as Jubilees are basically balck Fives painted a different colour, I don't need to attend the gala really

 

Sir, that is a very brave comment!

 

Oh wow what a comment which I am sure was posted as a jest? They are very different engines as I am sure you know

 

Yes, I jested!

 

And there was I thinking it was only GWR engines that looked the same , but wasn't Stanier a former Swindon man? ,

 

Yes he was

 

The GWR stuck to even numbers of cylinders though

 

As was my comment

 

Sorry to bring the mood down folks but with the recent news that virus cases are starting to rise again around the UK and the announcement that the Government are considering revising the rules about the size of social gatherings as a result, is it wise to proceed with this event this year?
An outbreak or reported case of the virus at any Heritage Railway could be very damaging for future attendance figures after all of the good work done to build up customer confidence after lockdown was lifted. What do others think about this?

 

In theory the event is a controlled environment so it could still go ahead.

 

I expect the situation will be monitored and a judgement made closer to the time, but as seating is allocated for the whole day, I wouldn't expect much 'mingling' to happen, aside the obvious dash to see the engines running round at either end? And of course the queue to enjoy something tasty from one of the refreshment outlets.