MHR Autumn steam gala 7th-9th Sept

Thank you gents - as you can guess I'm not totally 'au fait' with Southern liveries - too many variations on theme if you ask me!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll stick to Apple Green thanks!!!

 

I think, but I'm by no means sure, that 850 is carrying an intermediate Bulleid livery of sage green with the Maunsell style of lettering. I don't know how many engines had this livery before Bulleid changed to the well known malachite with the 'sunshine' lettering, and neither do I know whether the present combination of livery and chimney is historically correct for the engine or the class. Perhaps there's a Southern expert out there who could help.

Although I personally find all the SR liveries to be most attractive and I'm not too fussed about exact historical precedents, from an aesthetic point of view I do like to see matching liveries for engine and coaching stock. For that reason I would much prefer to see the engines for this gala in BR colours, because the MHR only has coaches in BR(S) dark green.

Regards

 

Timetable (without allocations) now available here:Autumn Steam Spectacular Timetable | Watercress Line

 

I'm sure most of you have read SR magazine from this month, where it mentions a nightshoot on Friday and Saturday nights. I think this is a cracking idea, especially as the proceeds of the nights go towards the restoration of 35005 Canadian Pacific. I understand the Maunsell locomotives will be used pre-dominently in this shoot - being moved around to produce different cameos, with the other locomotives put over the pit. It will be nice to get up close and personal with the locomotives. I understand the price will be £10 on the gate... I would get there early, as I imagine this will be a very popular event.

Just a quick question regarding this, will there be any additional lighting for the event? I can't remember seeing any lighting towers/exterior lighting at Ropley, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

James at SVN

 

There are about five lighting towers around Ropley yard with three of them lighting the pit road and road one and another light road three near the coal dock. There is also a larger light above the roller door on the front of the workshop shed.

 

A question I forgot to ask yesterday: Is the railway running on the day before the Gala? The timetable says they are (one train service) but the loco roster has nothing at all listed for that day. I was going to come down for a "preview day" on the 6th.

 

Does anyone know who is running the night shoot? I’ve done a few night shoots myself over the years at Ropley on Friday and Saturday nights. The only trouble I always have is finding a clean place to put my camera equipment without getting everything covered in dirt. I took this photo on a Saturday night some years ago when 30926 Repton visited on a gala.

 

With any luck the real ale coach will have gone in to blood and custard before the gala.

 

There needs to be a whole set done in Blood and Custard not just the one token coach !! However we will see ..

 

I have suggested that at the last 3 AGM,s David, problem is that we are up against those that think green is the only option.

Regards
Chris:

 

Shame to hear that, I would've loved to have seen the T9 running with a set of Blood & Custards at next year's Spring Gala.

 

Trouble is, blood and custard doesn't go well with Network South East......

 

MHR website has now confirmed 34051 'Winston Churchill' will make a visit during the gala.

Winston's Coming Home! | Watercress Line

 

I wonder if the WC impersonator from War On the Line will be in attendance also?

 

Well at least it'll give the Rangers something different to polish for a change!

 

There are two problems with Blood and Custard; it doesn't weather very well, the blood needs repainting after about half the time that green lasts; mixed sets look messy, and we don't have enough carriages in service (yet) to have fixed rakes.

 

Sorry, three problems. The third is that it takes twice as long to do.

 

Give me a couple of paint brushes and I'LL do it LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Nice one, and I did not know that 21B was a painter either

Regards
Chris:

 

What about just painting the vintage rake set in to blood and custard when it comes in to service?