MHR Autumn steam gala 2011

Good stuff. It appears that Tornado must have run round at Guildford and headed the consist tender-first to Alton. Glad my theory about them arriving tender-first was correct! I assume that unless there is a turning move within the next week they will stay that way so the gala timetable will have to be amended.

 

Anybody know when the N2 is due to arrive, or is she there already?

 

Hi everyone Im hoping to plan my first ever visit to the mid hants railway for the steam gala is there any good locations along the line to film please?

 

It was amended to reflect this yesterday!

 

The web site shows all 3 as facing country end, but if Tornado was tender first the it will be facing the other way?

 

With the three main line locos arriving today this only leaves N2 to arrive. Will she now be unloaded the opposite way round to even up the loco allocation? I’m led to believe 34007 will still be facing towards London and 45379 should return from the AVR facing country.


Will any luck we should see another amended time table/loco roster soon.

 

Here's a video from Youtube showing the locos entering the MHR at Alton. All 3 are facing Alton unless its subject to change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf6Am_IJhCw

 

Revised loco roster will be issued soon, so keep an eye on the website. No idea why they have arrived facing the wrong way.

Still, another opportunity to familiarise oneself with the timetable.

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

 

I must say that, having, in advance, bought two three day tickets for this event, for both traveling and photographic opportunities (and, indeed, mixing both) I do prefer locos to be Facing London on this line.

As the Locos now face the way they were planned to be on your originally published timetable/Loco. Roster cant you simply revert to this?

 

The original timetable/loco roster had 34007 Wadebridge facing country end. This is wrong she will return from the GC facing London. So this timetable/loco roster can't be used.

 

Sorry if it's a daft question, but why does the way the locos face dictate the roster? I can understand certain runs would be more popular with photographers at certain times of day etc, but that aside, why can't previous editions be used?

 

Some locos will be double heading over the gala and will need to be facing the same direction to allow this to happen. For example on the first timetable/loco roster 34007 and 30850 (12.40 off Alton service) were double heading together. This can’t happen if 34007 Wadebridge returns back from the CG facing towards London. Both locos would be facing each other.

 

Fair enough. Commendable that enthusiasts (primarily photographers, which is not meant in a disparaging way) are being catered for in this way, I just thought there must be an operational reason for the rosters to be re-written so close to the event!

 

I have three wonderful pictures that I took yesterday of the three main line loco,s (with their support coaches), coupled together coming through Medstead and Four Marks.

I shall send them to 73129 and ask him if he will kindlpost them on here as my computer skills are not up to it.

Kindest regards
Chris:

 

Thanks for the explination.

 

I've posted a revised Timetable on our website, same link as before. No changes apart from the direction of the 3 visitors.

Enjoy the show.

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

 

Hi guys, that video at Byfleet and New Haw is mine, glad you like it, its a bit darker post processed than the raw camera footage.
I was really happy and surprised to see them all in steam, |I'll probably never see its like again.

cheers

 

60163 was on the Alresford starting set of coaches this weekend. This left 31806 to work the Alton rake of coaches. There seemed to be a reasonable amount of customer traveling on both service trains. This coming week 30850 Lord Nelson and 31806 are working the service trains. 45379 is to return on Tuesday followed by 34007 Wadebridge on Wednesday.

 

Hi Chris (coalwagon),

Here are your photos.

 

Many thanks Lee.

Chris