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MHR Autumn steam gala 2011

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by 73129, Mar 4, 2011.

  1. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    I think someone else already has the slogan "black five ".

    Time for a re-think:

    CW:
     
  2. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    I wonder how long the "Tornado Effect" is going to last? Will it be as popular this year as last? I don't quite get it myself - sure it's a superb bit of engineering and a fantastic achievement by all involved in the project but I will be just as excited at the idea of SNG and Britannia running on the Mid-Hants.

    If it's as good as the Spring Gala it will be something to look forward to! My only suggestion is that if it is going to be really busy they should avoid running vans, wagons, breakdown cranes etc.... during the busiest parts of the day. Better to run them first thing in the morning for the photters before the majority of punters turn up?
     
  3. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    I quite agree about the Tornado effect, nobody knows just how long at the forefront of the public conscience hence the ever changing liveries, it'll probably dissipate once all liveries have been carried or when a new kid turns up on the block!

    As for the Gala in general, I too am long very much to seeing SNG & Britannia back in black (good album that!) I haven't seen either loco for years.

    In terms of running non revenue earning trains in the timetable, I think it actually adds to the gala (& probably so do the organisers) for everybody - its something different & adds to the variety of the day than just seeing packed coaches & window hangers.
     
  4. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    The maximum amount of coaching stock that can enter Alton station and allow the loco to run round and rejoin the coaching stock is six coaches. The London end set of points were moved in some distances when the re-signaling was completed at Alton. This is why the Real Ale Train now only runs with six coaches unless the train is top and tailed.
     
  5. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    That's interesting - didn't know that. What about the Countryman train that sometimes runs on Sundays - does that run as a separate train or are dining coaches added to the 1:00 from Alresford? If it's the latter how long is the train in total?
     
  6. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    The new Sunday Countryman lunch time train now runs with the service train consisting of two dining coaches and four green MK1s coaches. This has been a regular formation now for well over five years. I can’t remember when the stand alone Sunday Countryman was taken out of service. I think the Sunday lunch train was made up with MK2 coaching stock which became part of the Day Light Rail Tour stock. This stock was sold on after the MHR abandoned main line rail tours.


    The photo below shows the Sunday lunch train in its current formation.
     
  7. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    Sorry for posting again. But I forget to add that the dining coaches are always attached to the service train for the Sunday 11.00am departure from Alresford and stay on all day. Customers that are not dining are not permitted to travel within the dining set for the first round robin service when the dining coaches are unoccupied.
     
  8. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the info - I know this is slightly off topic but I was just curious following your comment on the loop at Alton being shortened.
     
  9. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thanks for the info. I wondered why the RAT had been shortened (when it is so popular) and why when we last went on the dining train in January it was part of the service train.



    I'm still thinking about the name change Coal wagon!
     
  10. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    I'm the same as you I want to have a ride behind 70000 (not ridden or seen her yet), 60007 (something I haven't done for a long time) and 60163 (seen her 3 times but haven't ridden behind yet as I missed out on a ride behind her at the Bluebell last year.)

    Mind you I'd like to ride behind most locos. 850 (It was in the wheeldrop shed the last time I visited after it had just arrived and is the only time I've seen it), 92212 (I don't think I've seen it yet), 31806 (not ridden behind the loco or seen the loco but have seen 1618's tender plenty of times), 5224 (not seen before), 45379 (seen it as a kit of bits but not ridden behind it) though with 34007 (rode behind this at the Bluebell in 2007 and was in steam the last time I was at Ropley)

    Blimey I'm not going to get that lot done in one day.
     
  11. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    Nope - Your gonna need the three day pass LOL!

    850's Ok
    92212 doesnt know what a hill is!
    31806 looks & sounds good, didnt get the rid I wanted at the gala due to change of roster on the Saturday
    5224 for a copper top - not bad - gutsy's the word
    34007 does know what a hill is
    45379 takes everything in its stride

    I've been behind Tornado several times - you'll enjoy it - goes like the proverbial off a shovel
    SNG - just like Bittern - no probs listening to the superb Gresley beat!
    So 70000 ditto as above

    Cant wait to see the WTT & allocations
     
  12. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Hows about "not green five"? lolololol.

    Regards
    Chris:
     
  13. Fozzy

    Fozzy New Member

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    It hasn't been shortened, the points haven't moved. With the signalling, the fouling and clearance points etc for the signalling now determines the distance between AT48 and AT59 hence the limit on the length of train to be able to run round etc.
     
  14. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    News in the Whats going on section reports that 60007 has been withdrawn from her commitments in September as the work on her boiler cannot be given a completion date as yet. I wonder if this will affect her visit to the MHR in October and should the MHR look for a replacement loco? (Another blue A4 perhaps?) Hopefully 60007 will make it though.
     
  15. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest

    I would suggest it would be in the very best interests of the Mid Hants to start looking for a replacement for 60007!
     
  16. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    60019/4492 is on the Cathedrals Express to Plymouth on Saturday 29th.
     
  17. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    Personally, I don't think there is a need to panic - just yet!

    Maybe the A4 boys are just being cautious in their estimations (fingers crossed), but even if there is a need to line up a replacement and maintain an Eastern Region theme, then what are the alternatives available ( or more importantly - what would be a crowd puller) B1, B12 A3? Nothing else would fit the bill!
     
  18. Robert Heath No.6

    Robert Heath No.6 Well-Known Member

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    N2?

    *Padding the message out to get through the length filter!*
     
  19. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    Now THAT wouldn't be a bad idea, all we need now is the Quad set from the NNR! Would love to see that storming up the Banks.
     
  20. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    Far better to have a wait and see policy on this one. If 60007 isn't available for the gala what about hiring another Bulleid in for this event. Now that gets my vote.
     

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