MHR Autumn Steam Gala 6th-8th October 2023

A superb start to the day. 53808 just delivered a vigorous run up the bank to Medstead on the 10:00 departure from Alton. Brilliant. 53808 bowing out in fine style at this Gala.

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A video from the Southerner

 

Currently on the 2pm exArlesford and the decision has been made to take 901 off the full line runs. Extraordinarily dry weather and a loco without spark arresting has been apparently creating some issues... Goliath filling in on this run but gonna be some significant knocks on.

 

401 caused lineside fire between Alton and Medstead which has resulted in a line block.

 

41312 + FRT + Shuttle + Fenchurch set off from Alton around 20 minutes ago as one train

 

Just passed this at Ropley, quite a sight! Sensible move to keep the timetable from slipping, though I'm sure the people who'd paid the extra to for a full line return behind Fenchurch feel a bit shortchanged with the Ivatt now on the front and Fenchurch banking at best.

 

Only would have missed out on Alton bank which is disappointing but only coasting downhill from Medstead onwards anyway!

 

It was a bit of a bonus for me. The climb of Medstead bank was very impressive. 41312 was working really hard and Fenchurch was providing some spirited banking at the rear.

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Came past Duty Druid and myself at Chawton Woods at a fair old lick with a lot of noise from both ends!

 

Yes very noisy and great the be on it after a very slow start through the loop. Is this loco really due for overhaul. Still running so well with 6 on

 

Yes a very good climb. I thought it was Fenchurch which had caused the fire ? It was throwing out fire from Medstead to the summit bridge. After all the hype the 1220 from Alresford wasn’t anywhere near full. Very strange. A very good day

 

Steady 25 in the climb and lots of noise.,Good regulating by the MHR people to retrieve the situation

 

Slightly surprising to read that, as it was fitted with a spark arrestor at its most recent overhaul. I'd also be surprised that you can really see a loco spark throwing in daylight; my experience from the footplate is that you really only notice in the dark. On the Bluebell you notice some locos throwing sparks in the tunnel that is completely invisible 30 seconds earlier in daylight, even though the loco was being worked equally hard.

Tom

 

It is certainly possible to see the rockets (sparks) in daylight. The very best example I ever had was 14 June 1967 when Drive Gaffney somehow got a totally worn out 34102 up to 100 mph on the 18.38 ex Salisbury between Basingstoke and Woking. An amazing experience of speed, fire and incredible noise. One of the runs back in those days that I can still recall very clearly.

 

I had an excellent day at the MHR Gala today despite the problems encountered this afternoon.
Things started well as I travelled on the already well filled 10:00 service from Alton behind 53808. For a loco nearing the end of her ticket she certainly put on a magnificent performance up to Medstead. After that delight I left the train at Ropley which was a hive of activity with Vulcan, 5239, Fenchurch and the coal tank engaged in various movements around the yard and station.
It was great to see the railway so busy not just with enthusiasts but also with many families. I wonder if the steam illumination trains are enticing those customers to visit other events on the MHR?
I then headed to Alresford on the shuttle service top and tailed by 1054 and Fenchurch in readiness for the special round trip behind the Terrier tank. As others have mentioned not all of the seats were occupied in the two coach set for the special shuttle even though the tickets were all sold.
The trip up to Medstead behind Fenchurch was the highlight of the day as she romped up the grades in fine style. The sound of the little Terrier charging through the wooded cutting up to Medstead was superb. Never heard a Terrier barking like that before. At Medstead things started to go wrong. We were held at Medstead for some time awaiting the delayed local hauled by Vulcan which had started a fire near Alton. We were also held outside Alton to allow 41312 with the freight to come into the loop. Arriving at Alton it was not clear how long the special shuttle was going to be stuck at the station as the fire brigade had put a block on the section of line between Alton and Medstead.
It was then decided to join the freight train to the special shuttle service in a bid to try and make some of the time up.
With 41312 leading and Fenchurch bringing up the rear the crews set about tackling the formidable bank with this unusual formation. 41312 was working very hard and Fenchurch did sterling work banking the Ivatt up to Medstead. You could hear both locos barking away. An excellent bonus to the days events for me. I spent the rest of the afternoon at Ropley as the services were delayed. The loco allocations were also changed as Vulcan was removed from service and 5239 took over her services for the rest of the day. Vulcan returned from Alresford light engine at the end of the day. I returned to Alton behind 53808 on the six coach service with the crew providing another stirring ascent of the Hampshire Alps, as the 7F thundered up to Medstead. Really going to miss this loco when she comes out of service. Hopefully she won't be out for too long. Fenchurch and 53808 were the stars of the event for me.

Thank you to everyone involved for operating another superb steam Gala. Roll on the Spring Steam Gala!

A few shots from today:




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Does anyone know the status on Vulcan tomorrow? No updates from the MHR currently so unsure if it's doing full line runs or being replaced?

 

Double header in Chawton Woods today.

401 and 53808 in Chawton Woods by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

I have to agree, this gala was the real deal, how wonderful it was to se lots of tank engines shuttling about with shorter passenger loads and a mixed train.

My stars had to be the 3 visitors, it's something I had been wanting for ages, it happened and I was not disappointed.

I do hope that the spring gala next year has a certain Std 4 4-6-0 puffing up the alps.

 

I thought the guard said the Alton Sports Centre caught fire?
But yes, 401 was sparking, A LOT.

 

I can assure you that I did. It was in the deep cutting just after the start. I commented to fellow passengers at the time. After over 60 years of train timing I think I know burning coal dust being thrown out