MHR steam galas March & Sept 2009

Thank you Steamage and 21D , So much more helpfull then others about i must admit.

I still cant see why the boxes would be hard to fill ( ok yes ,it doubles the amount of signalmen needed) but i think just like footplate crew , people would be quite happy to do more then one shift for the gala ( obviously not doubled shifts but do one shift , take the 8 hour + sleep/rest period then sign on again when needed)

It sounds like the MHR are startting to listern to everyone so this should be a fun gala for both us ( the footplate crews) and everyone else

 

Bluebell's Giants gala two year's ago did have 5 Bulleids at the railway - B.V. Eddystone, Wadebridge, 92 Squadron and Sir Archie. I guess though in terms of "photo opportunity" it's a first for the Mid-Hants as 34059 was still in the works.

 

Plus remember MHR had at least 5 when they had Taw Valley visiting, Can Pac, Bodmin, Swanage & 249 Squadron, and perhaps again when 34081 visited? Although i'm not so sure about that.

 

what ever runs its going to be a great gala, and i cant wait to say hi and swop old memories , when Taw valley visited, did she run any public trains? i can remember when we had squadron and swanage , she caught out my driver because the reverser was almost jet powered compared to the one on swanage, which we were used to but my best memory was being at the shed at ropley the following week end after the woking 150 seeing an M7, U, N, T9 ,stnd5 and 4 S15 and bullields in the shed roads

 

It'll be an interesting line up of Bulleids, especially with them not all facing the same way!

 

Taw Valley did operate for one of the Galas although it was when she had started having an identity crisis and ran as 34045 Ottery St Mary. IIRC she double headed with 34016 Bodmin.

 

Also don't forget 35018 and 34067 have been residents of the MHR but never in run able condition.

 

I stand corrected re: 5 v 6!

Still, doesn't happen every day of the week, so will be well worth a visit.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Cheers

Tim Beere
Marketing Manager
The Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'

 

That's good, so does that mean that you will be able to switch your boxes out?[/quote]

I don't think that that is part of the plan for any of the boxes except Alton. Alton will run "automatically" when there is no need to pass trains or carry out a move involving the Meon Loop. Cleverly using track circuits the road will set and signals clear to let a train arrive, run round and depart without a signalman.

Not sure there would be any point switching Ropley out as you have to be able get the loco's in and out of the Yard. Medstead might be sensible, but it would be challenging with the new Alton arrangements as the long section token would effectively become Ropley Alton and since Alton would be unmanned I am not sure how you might do that - I expect there is a way, but I thinking lots of complexity would be involved.

 

I too am going to be there... Being made redundant - Maybe the MHR can employ someone willing to put his hand to anything???

 

Taw Valley did operate for one of the Galas although it was when she had started having an identity crisis and ran as 34045 Ottery St Mary. IIRC she double headed with 34016 Bodmin.[/quote:28meg6w5]
I went and saw Taw Valley when it went to one of the Giants events (2002 I think) at the Bluebell and was failed over the gala. I think the Bluebell had permission to run her as Taw Valley but had been running as Ottery St Mary when it arrived. Don't think she got to double head with BV though. (On another note was 35005 and 35028's meeting at Eastleigh a first in preservation (In completed form)

 

Taw Valley was carrying the number and name of 34037 Clovelly at the Bluebell Giants of Steam IIRC, 34045 (and Westward Ho!) followed

 

I remember that day well, I was firing Bodmin.

 

looks as though smiffy was firing "34045"

 

He was. The safety valves got thoroughly tested that day!

 

I think they lifted 14 times before he got off shed didn't they?

 

Don't know - couldn't see through the smoke........

 

only 14 times \/ smiffy must have been been having an off day, or someone hid the shovel now that rsf and smiffy are drivers has the coal bill gone down?

 

The best bit I think was when he called out from underneath where he was doing some oiling, to ask who was making all the noise!!