Mid Hants Railway Autumn Gala featuring 'Bahamas'

Bahamas goes back on November 3rd. I think the times are already on RTT

 

Has there ever been a steam rail tour from Manchester to Bournemouth running as the Pines Express ?

 

Had a great morning helping out on 34058 Sir Frederick Pile sales stand in the carriage and wagon shop selling coffee mugs,pens,pencils and DVD’s. Great to see 45596 just outside the C&W shop awaiting it’s next turn of duty.

 

One of my colleagues in the Urie Soc, who doesn't give praise easily, said of 45596: 'It's immaculate.' Goes great, beautifully presented. The Bahamas society can be very proud of their efforts.
Pat

 

I’m fairly certain there hasn’t, it would be a difficult one to path and wouldn’t leave much time for the passengers to enjoy the delights of Bournemouth

 

How much time do you need for the delights of Bournemouth? 20 minutes should do it.
Pat

 

Fantastic gala. Can't say enough about the professionalism of the organisation; a magnificent guest loco, great timetable giving so much interest through out the day. Given the current circumstances, nothing short of miraculous to put on such a wonderful event; many thanks to all involved.

 

Possibly the only way you could do it with a 5X!

Peter

 

Two shots of two of the stars , massive hats off to the MHR for proving the impossible and hosting an Autumn Gala for 2020.

 

This gala seems to have been one that many have enjoyed tremendously, certainly if the posts and photos are a guide. Given the present position with Covid I suspect there was a great deal of hard work achieved by those responsible for the gala ensuring safety for their visitors.

 

Must admit all credit to the Mid Hants for an astonishing Gala given the current circumstances. An intensive service which ran more or less on time when I was there Saturday. They even managed to squeeze in the odd freight train. Congratulations to all concerned.
Dave.

 

Everyone I saw and spoke to over the weekend seemed to be having a good time... trains ran mostly to time, perhaps 10 minuts late at the worst, families and singles fitted in the coaches, Duty Druid and I had our temperatures taken, "Dave" shunted at Ropley, a great gala and well done to allthe team who organised it and ran it!

Somerset and Dorset in Hampshire by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

Pines at Ropley (2) by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

When you think of the sheer amount of work that must have gone into organising this gala, praise must go to everyone at the MHR.
On my visit , I was very impressed, nothing was left to chance, everyone who boarded at Alresford had their temperature taken first before your ticket was checked against the seat allocation list and your wrist band given to you , at every station public announcements were clear, and precise, telling passengers that only a certain colour band was valid on the next train, and it was made clear how to enter and exit the coach, in through middle, out through end doors, and everyone seemed to understand and obey these instructions, stock was clean, and the whole event was enjoyable,
Other lines have decided that any attempt to operate is going to be too difficult, but done safely, the danger is minimal .

 

This, to me was the most important factor of the gala. It has been a pretty tough year for everyone and it was wonderful to have our spirits lifted. Not quite normality, with a few face masks in evidence even at the lineside, but that special atmosphere you only get at a gala was very much in evidence. The sunshine on Friday morning further added to the "feel good factor" for those of us who chose that day to pay a visit. A big thanks to everyone involved in planning the gala for such a morale booster and also to the BLS for providing such a superb engine.

 

I agree - nothing is guaranteed to be 100% safe at the moment but I don't think the Mid-Hants could have done more to look after everyone.

 

Had a cracking weekend at the gala. Saturday actually on the trains (orange set) and Sunday viewing from the lineside.

Very well organised and could likely be a blueprint for other lines intending to follow suit. Station announcements was indeed clear and precise however I always plan movements in advance via the online timetable to prevent any likely issues happening.

Unfortunately I did cock up accidently by exiting the train coach through the wrong door. Everyone else on the coach wore coverings however I didn't as I was exempt but no one caused any agro whatsoever. Everyone else was socially distant and the loco swaps and Thomas shunting at Ropley was very well organised. Delays of 5-10 minutes did occur from late morning from time to time but quickly the deficit did recover.

Bahamas really looked the part and the 7F was looking right at home already. And the latter was my personal star of the show at the weekend closely followed by the S15.

Heres hoping the situation improves for a Spring Gala in 2021!!

Ben.

 

My footage from the weekend:


As many have said, credit must go to the Mid Hants for the superb weekend they gave considering the conditions. The weather was great too, particularly the Friday morning with the sun. I hope this is the start of many more galas taking place, as the Mid Hants have shown that, while it does require many changes, it is still possible and can be done safely while still enjoying the sights and sounds of steam. Brilliant to have Bahamas down here as well!

 

I am hoping the next Gala, is a freight engine gala, with 499, 506, and 53808 each taking turns on passenger and freight runs, with a fair rake behind them, with the highlight being a nonstop passenger 8 coaches behind 53808, from Alton, with 506 taking over for the return run,

 

could maybe, hire in an 9f also,

 

First galal I went to at the MidHants (2001 I think) featured 34016, 35005 and 92212 taking it in turns to haul a 9 coach rake. Very good it was too except that it did lead to some shunting issues as the loops at Alton and Alresford can only take 6 coaches.