Mid Hants Railway - Great Spring Steam Gala 2013

The Black 5 hasn't been turned and the timetable/allocation pdf has been re-issued with the correct info fo 45379!

 

Thanks for confirming the Five, Steve!

I'd have found it a bit strange to have turned her again so soon................................. Who'd be a gala organiser?!!!

Me, I'll stick to restoring wagons Thank You! :madgrin:

 

The word Oh Crap ... sprang to mind about 5164 . I cant see why the Black 5 would be turned . I makes you wonder what way will 31806 come back facing ?

 

Reading the time table and now reading on here that 5164 is facing smoke box out of Alton. 5164 will be double heading with locos that are facing the other way round. Does anyone know which way round 30777 will be? If 30777 is facing out of Alresford then I can't see a single double heading that 5164 is working we're both locos are facing the same way.

 

Silly double-headers are always a feature of Mid Hants galas. Let's face it, 5164 doesn't go well with any of the other locos at the gala whether it's facing forwards or backwards!

 

Yes the one I'dve liked would have been the T9 piloting Wadebridge! If 777 does end up facing Country at least it can work with 850 or 925. Anyway we will soon know

 

So would I. It would have been better to have the T9 facing London and 777 facing country.3 locos in BR facing London and 3 in Southern facing Country.

 

Yes the obvious combination has been missed.Who works out these things? And why a completely irrelevant GWR engine? Any word on 777 yet? If that doesnt appear I may not bother (again), and we only live a few miles awsay.

Don

 

I'm going to drop into Alreaford and Ropley this afternoon so will post if 777 has arrived and will post the direction if it has arrived.

James at SVN

 

Tender for 777 arrived and is facing Alton (hooray!) 120 and 5164 in steam at Ropley this AM
Much shunting at Alresford with 850, 33053 in cattle dock

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arleimages/8515975074/in/photostream

 

Thanks for the info. Rather disappointingly this means that on Sunday (when I plan to go) bar the one train in the morning there is only one train in the afternoon where 777 leads smoke box first. The other train Lamiel works is being lead by 5164 bunker first!

 

I have a question about the member's discount. My Father hasn't had his new membership card sent out yet (it's coming with the next MHN) but he has renewed his membership for 2013 by Direct Debit. What does he have to show at the ticket office to get his £10 members discount?

 

Yes quite agree, we may well be far off the mark but my Dad and I are starting to think that all these silly double-header combinations are being done on purpose by the powers that be to annoy us enthusiasts/photographers and so discourage us from visiting. As I say we're probably wrong but just can't help thinking this sometimes.

 

He might just be lucky - mine has just this minute landed!! :happy:

Failing that - print out the email confirmation and take it with you?

 

30120 is facing west for a couple of photo charters, but no idea about the daft double headers. I was disappointed when I couldn't get the time off work this weekend, but looking at the timetable, I don't feel I'm missing much. Chimney-to-chimney double headers, the RAT stock, and Southern liveried locos on Mk 1s don't interest me photographically, and double headers on 5-6 coaches is overkill.

 

The Prairie is a short notice replacement for 3717 (in case you've missed the earlier posts). IIRC, part of the reasoning for bringing 120 and 3717 together was to recreate a little bit of DN&S history, as well as bringing three working NRM 4-4-0s together. Weren't large prairies regulars on the DN&S? Yes, it's a shame she couldn't be loaded and/or unloaded to face "up". Not ideal, but beggars can't be choosers.

I'm sure this won't be 120's only visit to the Watercress Line in the next few years. As with other repeat visitors (City Of Truro, Tornado, etc.), I expect she'll face the other way next time.

 

777 has landed...

Taken on my phone, sorry for the poor quality!

James at SVN

 

They are cutting it a bit fine with the delivery of 777 aren't they? She is rostered for the first departure off Ropley tommorrow at 9.17.

 

Fingers crossed he might get it today then. Otherwise he said he will take his bank statement!

 

A geographical question for anyone in the know. Is it possible to access the field near to the Northside Lane bridge between Ropley and Alresford by walking down the public footpath away from Ropley up platform? If not, is there a field or similar down there which will allow for similar views?

Many thanks