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MHR Diesel gala 2009

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by 73129, Oct 25, 2008.

  1. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Gentlemen your point is taken.

    I will contact Tim Beere the new Marketing Manager tomorrow if I can get hold of him.

    The previous two were ladies who both went on maternity leave one after the other, so I daresay that they both had other things on their minds.

    As previously said this has been discuused before, most recently just before the last Steam gala. A little constructive critiscism is not a problem, and I for one am certainly not offended.

    I will suggest to Tim that he joins Nat/Pres so he can see what is going on.

    Best regards
    Chris
     
  2. MParker873

    MParker873 New Member

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    Timetable or no timetable I am going anyway. I will give them a call later as I only want to know what time the first train goes from Alton as I always park there and take train to Arlesford. I just want a ride behind the Class 37 and the Class 56 at some point during the day. This will be my first diesel gala and I am really looking forward to it.
     
  3. 1052western

    1052western New Member

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    Just to add to this ongoing issue...
    I have been trying to contact MHR re the timetable. I am very local to the event, but like others on the list no response to the question of timetables.
    I totally understand Ian’s frustration with this, its ok for me I can just turn up, only now can I see what time it starts thanks to a post on here.

    I am sure everyone wants to fully support the event but please just get some of the basics right …
     
  4. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    I would have thought that one of the basis rules of business was to be aware of what your competition is up to. Maybe the MHR doesn't view other heritage lines as competition but they should at least take a look at how they market events. Whenever the West Somerset or Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railways run an event (to give just 2 examples) there is comprehensive information including timetables ontheir web-sites several weeks before the event.

    I know they MHR prides itself on it's web-site. It does have some interesting content I'll admit but what is the use of showing pictures of nuts and bolts when you haven't got the basics right? How, especially in a recession can you persuade people to part with their cash when they don't know exactly what they're getting for it?

    I don't intend to attend this event as Diesel Galas are not my thing but the same applied to the Steam Gala in March and just about every other event they have run recently.
     
  5. sigsnguard

    sigsnguard Member

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    Timetable "leaked" on WNXX
    There is now also a link to a WTT of sorts at http://www.watercressonline.co.uk/files/Diesel_Gala_Timetable.htm
     
  6. MID HANTS MARKETING

    MID HANTS MARKETING New Member

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    This is an open letter to all Diesel Enthusiasts on behalf of The Mid Hants Railway

    Re: Diesel Gala 29 - 31 May

    It has been brought to my attention by a fellow member of the MHR and indeed contributor to this forum, CCT Man, that there is a significant level of dissatisfaction surrounding the information available for our forthcoming Diesel Gala. On behalf of the Railway, I would like to take the opportunity to apologise for not having been able to address this matter sooner.

    Today, you will find the Timetable, applicable for all 3 days of the event, available from our website at the following link:

    http://www.watercressonline.co.uk/files ... etable.htm

    I have responded today to many emails that have been sent in to us requesting this information. All requests for information sent into the Railway are acted upon as soon as possible. Unfortunatley, as we attended Eastleigh 100 over the Bank Holiday Weekend, it is only now, that I have had the chance to respond.

    Regarding locomotive rosters, these will be issued on the day, as they are subject to change as I'm sure you can appreciate. I can, however, confirm the following traction will be active tomorrow, with the intention all things going well, that they perform throughout:

    33053
    56098
    37905
    73107
    73201
    08032
    D3358 (the other Class 08)
    Hampshire Unit (first time back in revenue earning service!)
    117
    122

    Static Displays at Ropley:
    12049 (Class 11)
    D5353 (Class 27)
    33208
    45132


    We, at the Mid Hants, be it the Management or our dedicated army of Volunteers, realise only too well that it is you, the Enthusiast Community and general public, that keep us in business. It is in our interest to ensure we meet your needs and listen to your comments. With that in mind, I am now a registered member of this forum and hope to be as active as possible, responding to calls for information, as well as being proactive and contributing.

    I'd also like to quash the rumor that the Mid Hants Railway is anti-Diesel, this is simply not the case. As you are all probably well aware, this will be the first time we have held a Diesel Gala in 4 years. Not because we didn't want to, but because the actions of a few have prevented us from doing so. We hope that this year, given your support, we can demonstrate that a Diesel Gala is an essential element of our Heritage Railway's portfolio of events and that next year, we can do it all again, but bigger and even better!

    I pride myself as being an open minded Railway Enthusiast. I'm not biased to Steam or Diesel, simply anything Railways. I grew up with Diesels thundering past my house, I personally want to see this event be successful. I therefore welcome your feedback! I can be reached directly at marketing@watercressline.co.uk, through this forum, or at our Event. I met many of you at Eastleigh last weekend, looking forward to seeing some familiar faces this weekend.

    If you do plan on coming to visit us, we look forward to seeing you and we hope you will enjoy the event as much as we will.

    With very best wishes

    Tim Beere
    Marketing Manager
    The Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'
     
  7. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Well said Darren, could not have put it better myself.

    Regards
    Chris[/quote:x1d8p8lr]

    Gentlemen :

    I contacted Tim Beere this afternoon and explained all of your concerns.

    He has now joined Nat/Pres and I understand he will bemaking his first contribution once he has been accepted.

    There is a timetable on the website under a heading I cannot recall at the moment, however the Webmaster Tony Wood is away on holiday as I type this, and he is allegedly the only one that can access the site at present.

    Apologies for all of this folks and you guys were right to bring this all up,however I think you will find things will be different at the next big event.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  8. Lewisb06

    Lewisb06 Member

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  9. MID HANTS MARKETING

    MID HANTS MARKETING New Member

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    I have posted a response, but it has yet to appear.

    Regards

    Tim Beere
    Marketing Manager
    The Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'
     
  10. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Tim

    rest assured it has and many thanks for doing so
     
  11. D7076

    D7076 Well-Known Member

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    Good to see the MHR has finally woken up,and supplied atleast a timetable.

    Would comment as follows:
    1)Too many unit/too few loco turns.
    2)Too many freight trains esp with 1) above-only 7 passenger trips a day.
    3)Too short days 1000-1730ish-compare that to KWVR Sunday(shortest of 3 days-Oxenhope 0815-1910)-hence why so many go there for 2 or 3 days rather than a day.
    4)Find it hard to believe crews/locos not rostered before the day,obviously barring failures etc.
    5)Several references to 33053 working,but also seen paired with 56 so is it actually working,or just acting a brake translator-remember being robbed of 27 miles many years ago-the main reason for a previous visit.
    Good to see MHR trying,but this one is a far cry from the Trainspotters Ball with 37906/506 on the evening beerex runs.
    If MHR management care to look at
    http://www.pleg.org.uk/
    latest news they will see that almost all railways are able to produce rosters/timetables etc well in advance,and that hardly any now have freight/unit turns and there is a reason for that-meeting the requirements of the paying customer.

    Hopefully this gala will atleast break even,enabling a better(and better advertised etc) event next year.
     
  12. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    As you say the Mid-Hants are trying, at least they are doing something about it so please at least give them a chance?

    "Easy to critiscize and hard to praise"

    Regards
    Chris
     
  13. Drewry Car

    Drewry Car Member

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    Congratulations to the Mid Hants on responding to the criticism on this and other forums and whilst I now have committments elsewhere I promise to come to a future event. There have been some very sensible comments in the last few posts and I hope the Mid Hants will take them on board so that the event I do eventually visit is a good one.

    Again, best wishes for a successful event - hope my strimming of the Balm Road branch at Middleton is just as successful..!
     
  14. chessie

    chessie Member

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    I've noted a few of your's, and other's comments on here and would like to add a few of my own. I would stress that these are not to be taken as anything other than personal observations. (I am a driver on the MHR)
    I think that this gathering of diesels is very much a 'toe in the water' job for the MHR. After the debacle of the last effort which culminated in us being served a prohibition order by the (as it was then) HMRI there is a lingering apathy (at best) to an absolute antagonism (at worst) towards diesels from the majority of MHR volunteers, at least in the loco dept. I suppose it's fair to say that steam is what we do, and what most of us belong to the railway for. With few exceptions MHR footplate staff are only acting as pilotmen, due to feelings outlined above it's not a rostered day for us, there being a few of us who have volunteered to act as pilotmen. I am one of those, as I feel a duty to the railway as there are not large numbers of drivers queuing to do this. However I am going into it with great trepidation as I also was a volunteer pilotman at the last one, and it was by a long way the worst day I've had on the railway due largely to the attitude and actions of some of the 'professional' railwaymen who drove the visiting diesels. (I'm not fanning old flames here, but neither am I taking any arguments on that one - I was there)
    So I hope that those who go enjoy it, maybe it will lead to bigger and better things, maybe it will be the end once and for all for diesel galas on the MHR. We shall see.

    Edit: grammar
     
  15. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    Well done Chessie for being a pilotman again.
    =D> =D> =D> =D>
     
  16. MID HANTS MARKETING

    MID HANTS MARKETING New Member

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    All

    Rest assured, the comments and feedback are taken on board and are valued.

    It is not lost on me that after a certain age, there is a vast amount of people out there, including myself, who never experienced Steam on the mainline. We all grew up with Diesels and Electric. It is therefore important to Railway Preservation as a whole, that all aspects of Heritage Railways are embrassed, for the benefit of getting more people interested and through the door, introduce them to Steam through Diesel/Electric.

    Those that come to our event this year will be given the opportunity to comment, both good and bad, so we can take the event forward for next year.

    We recognise that previous experiences of these events at the Railway have gone less than perfectly with negative impact on our Loco Shed Staff. We hope that this time, those concerned respect what we are trying to do for the benefit of all and that it all goes well.

    PLEG - got it, thanks.
    Schedule - noted.

    Again, you have the opportunity to have your say and make a difference. I ask you to come and help support the event if you can and help us to make it a better event for you moving forward.

    Best wishes

    Tim Beere
    Marketing Manager
    The Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'
     
  17. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    I think we all owe Tim a vote of thanks for stcking his head over the parapet, , thanks also to those who gave constructive critiscism, well done chaps.

    Best regards
    Chris
     
  18. ralphchadkirk

    ralphchadkirk New Member Account Suspended

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    I do agree with you on number 3, that the days are very short, but I find it hard to believe that the KWVR manage 0815-1910 as then some of their staff (having to arrive before service) will be in direct contravention of the Transport laws, requiring that nobody works more then 12 hours at a time.
    As far as I know, the WTT has been issued to staff and the locos running are on their (albeit basically). Crews that come with the loco will stay with their loco, and so will pilotmen.
    33053 is running as a brake translator with the 56.
     
  19. Lewisb06

    Lewisb06 Member

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    0815 - 1910 = 10hrs 55 min....

    It was probably easy for KWVR as it was for Swanage (recent diesel gala 0850 - 2345!) who had enough willing and able staff who wanted to make the event a success
     
  20. ralphchadkirk

    ralphchadkirk New Member Account Suspended

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    If you had actually read my post rather than frantically clicking "post reply" you would see
    If I say that the guard arrives 45 mins early (0730) and leaves 20 mins after, thats cutting it very fine.
     

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