Mid Hants Spring gala

The timings posted above show 60163 going via Guildford - this suggests that it will be facing north.

 

The man has a point! With a carmine and cream set many more locos match. Seeing Tornado on green stock doesn't exactly do it for me, especially having seen it on teaks at two other lines. A different liveried set of stock would be ideal. Just my opinion for what it's worth.

If the railway think that Tornado is going to be such a huge attraction I really don't understand why they haven't got it for long. With half term having just gone I really feel they've missed a trick.

 

The man has a point certainly , but NOT about the attitude as the railway is moving forward for the better now.

I am surprised at you Matt, I thought that you would be more positive than this.

Regards
Chris

 

Hi Matt you and other keep on about having the right loco on the right colour stock. Shouldn’t we be grateful that we are able to photograph steam locos on preserved lines? All this has been done before by the likes of Mike Esau and others back in the 50s and 60s and you can never recreate that type of photo. Because to me there some think about a 1950/60s photo that no one can recreate. Don’t you think we should be capturing what is happening now on our preserved lines. So in years to come we can look back at what has happened.

 

Im with Matt here, 60163 does not neccessarily have to be period, but at least they could make an effort to make it LOOK good, which is the point i am sure we are trying to make.

plus, dont play the 'shouldnt we be grateful' card, its getting old. Yes we should be grateful, but if we dont make these criticisms we will never get anywhere.

 

As long as those critiscisms are constructive and you have an alternative solution then yes you do have a point.

Regards
Chris

 

Whilst i agree it would be desirable to have a more relaxed livery policy for a rake of coaches, i think we should just enjoy Tornado on the MHR with the green stock we have at present.

Having looked back at a video i shot of Tornado at the WSR spring gala last year, i have to say what a hotch potch of liveries on their coaches. Behind the loco was a DMU trailer in worn green, a blue/grey MK1 and a set of MK1`s in WSR branded chocolate and cream(mostly worn) Yuk.

Don`t seem to remember too many people complaining about that at the time though!

 

Its unfortunate that we are worrying about the colour of the coaching sets and Not how many bums on seats turn up this weekend. That is more important ,Bringing in engines cost money so there are always additional costs to cover.
Matt is looking at it from a photographers point of view and cannot be critisised for that and indeed is right about coaching stock,Cant agree on Teak coaches tho as sould be in Blood and Custard or Marroon with 60163I cant see NYMR and SVR painting them!.
So lets hope Enthusiasts and Public alike travel on the MHR after all Tornado is doing the rounds of most of the local railways in the next few months and they can travel behind her elswhere.

 

But that's all you ever do - criticise, That's what's getting old - try doing something constructive like getting involved in a position where you can make the differences you want to see happen. Your remarks would be a lot more credible then.

 

Many thanks for this information

 

Not sure my post was worded that well or I really explained my point properly. Clearly my view is from a photographic point of view and clearly I accept we all look for something different from the hobby. For me having locos and coaches that match is important, this is not just at the MHR but anywhere, just my view which is why I won't be rushing to phot Tornado on green stock.

It's clear that there are lots of really positive things going on at the railway and it definitely has a different feel to it these days. I do sometimes feel there is an attitutude of "we've always done it this way" when sometimes a fresh look is required. (Wtt's in advance and a long running day for starters...)

Having Tornado visiting is a big thing I hope the railway maximise the visit. Take a look at the GCR website and see what they're doing when it comes to stay... you name it they're doing it clearly attempting to get as much income as they can.

I'm sure the MHR will be busy this weekend with plenty of people enjoying there day out, but surely they'd enjoy it more with red/cream stock!

 

I hear sales have done very well for the event-forgot all the bickering take your places early ladies,gentlemen & children.It's going to be a grand weekend for you all.The only colour you need worry about is the clouds...

 

Tornado arrived last night allegedly.

Regards
Chris

 

Hi Chris I saw her today at Ropley under cover and she's facing smoke box out of Alresford.

 

I'm taking a risk here being nothing like old enough to have personal memory but Tornado's current livery is as if delivered in 1948. BR experimented with coach liveries before settling on "Blood & Custard", so I am sure that for a good period of time locos in Apple Green with BR lettering and numbers would run on sets of teak coaches. I have certainly seen photographic evidence of this.

In fact, an Apple Green loco hauling an all Mark 1 set in Blood & Custard is far less likely than a full set of Teaks as the Mark 1 was only introduced in 1951 and only the top expresses would be complete Mark 1 sets for many years after that (and East Region continued to use Thompson stock on certain top trains - the The Elizabethan film).

The same is actually true to a certain extent pf 60007 in its 1950s Blue - a set of Blood and Custard Thompsons, not Mark 1s, would be most appropriate!

I will step back and prepare to be proved wrong by those who can remember - but at least we will then know the correct position!

Steven

 

Just a reminder that we are doing the increasingly popular tours of Medstead wagon restoration sidings over the three days at 11.15am, 12.15pm, 13.45pm and 14 45pm.

these tours are free of charge and all are welcome, and if you are lucky you just may get that elusive photograph of Tornado from a position not normally accessible to the public.

Best regards
Chris

 

I don't know what the usual attendance is for a Mid Hants Gala is but i overheard that advance ticket sales could be up to 15000. If true, that is fantastic news for the line but it could mean it will be a trifle crowded. Get there early and if coming by car and parking at Ropley, lets hope the field has dried out a bit. Enjoy what will be a fantastic weekend

 

These are always very well attended, but I think that this one will break all records.

Regards
Chris

 

You'ree quite right about varnished teaks behind BR era apple green locos. Many teak vehicles didn't get painted until quite a way into the 1950s.

 

Im not being obnoxious or anything, i really like MHR, but to me i think this gala is least likely to excite me. This is nothing to do with MHR, but just that i have seen 60163 and the railway will be too crowded for me. Is friday usually less busy??????

loco line up http://www.watercressline.co.uk/mhralp/Watercress_Line/Latest_News/Latest_News.html