Mid Hants Spring gala

Looks like I missed all the fun and games and for once have no comment to add!

To lighten the mood, Tornado seen on it's first run ex Alresford (still hankering after that red/cream stock):

 

Why does the Mid-Hants habitually put on its galas on the same weekends that the Severn Valley does its galas? There are other weekends available in the calendar

Regards

 

I don't know but could it be something to do with the availability of visiting locos?

 

To clarify the 30057 situation:-

It ideally needs 21 inches of vacuum, the minimum it can have and just about run on is 18 inches, it only had 17inches of vacuum.

 

Possibly, but wouldn't you expect there to be fewer locos available in the circumstance where there are two or more galas on?

Regards

 

I'm not sure the catchment areas overlap that much. There are only a limited number of weekends in the year and there will always be overlaps.

 

Just to check what I said, I've consulted a friend with a MHR rule book.
It's not correct for a locomotive nor was it correct for 30075's train. The minimum required vacuum is 20"Hg on a locomotive and not more than 21" (unless we're talking GWR).
30075 only had two coaches didn't it? Therefore the vacuum to be registered in the brake van should not be less than 20"Hg for a passenger train, but for and empty stock move could be 18"Hg.

 

Obviously there were comments made on here that the volunteers did feel were unjust and they're the ones not to bite on. What I mean is not to just retaliate by sniping back, a few which have leaked in. I did indeed say "some of the comments" and certainly did not say all nor did I dismiss any.

 

You can run a loco on 0"Hg, but if vacuum braked you'll have a problem stopping it. If the train pipe and reservoir are equal, then the brakes will release. It's not a case of 'just about running on' 18", it's a rule required of how much vacuum is required to provide the continuous brake.

I thnk Chessie1 is a driver so he could confirm.

 

I would like to say thank you to some members of this forum who shall we say could be called the Gardening Gang for the superb turn out of the lineside between Ropley and Soldridge. Guys its a real credit to the railway and I hope those traveling do realise the effort involved in what you acheive .
And you get to take shots like this one at new locations opened up by you.Green coaches who cares just for this shot.
David .
The rest of my weekends shots are here http://lineside.photos.preserved.fotopic.net/show_group.php?id=12252

 

I'll second that David. The lineside is a great credit to the MHR "gardeners."

 

Upload some photo's last night, video in the pipe line.


More @ http://kenneth-f-baker.fotopic.net/c1823023.html

 

To clarify the vacuum situation on a passenger train. The loco's maintaining ejector should beable to maintain 20" (not more than 21" unless GWR) and not less than 18" must be registered on the gauge of the rearmost brake van of the train.

 

Cheers RSF, nice to learn something new!

 

"Linesiders" Lee Marlow, David Franklyn and Phil Harris will be pleased to hear that Ian.

Thank you.

Regards
Chris

 

Thanks Jark 91,I think that's fair.I work down at The Bluebell and I know one does'nt always get it quite right despite many very well intentioned volunteers putting enormous amounts of work into the planning. Constructive critism is always helpful and not everyone involved in the hobby of heritage railways have open pockets of money to spend on their hobby especially £40 for twenty minutes viewing! regards,Tim (A)

 

Tim :

I am surprised that that you did not comment about there being platform tickets available at Alresford and Alton.

I forwarded the thread that you made on Yahoo Bluebell groups to Colin Chambers for comment and he replied and the above was his reply.

Kind regards
Chris

 

If there were platform tickets available at Alresford then the railway's own staff did not seem aware of it!

I telephoned the railway during Friday about details of the gala as I was coming Saturday and was quoted the fares and told specifically that the Rover ticket was the only fare on offer, that there were no single journey fares or platform tickets ( information that was volunteered, not requested as I was always planing to buy a "Rover" ticket).

I had an enjoyable day overall, however this thread shows to me, as someone who has spent 30+ years in a sales and marketing management environment, is that the Mid Hants. need to improve their communications, both internal and external and that while the Customer may not always be right (as the old saying goes) they are always the customer and if you want their custom (and money) you recognise that fact and do not try to belittle them when they express their viewpoint or perceptions.

By the way Simon's comments about people spreading negative comments to others were "spot on" in terms of marketing principals

 

Some people think that a tidy lineside is simply to please the photographers but as someone who also travels on heritage railways and occasionally persuades the other half to come along, there is nothing worse than travelling in a green tunnel with branches striking the windows. A tidy lineside reflects well on the railway as a whole IMHO and gives passengers the opportunity to view the countryside from the train.

 

Early saturday morning action.
[video=youtube;506gDSsfdEY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=506gDSsfdEY[/video]