Mid Hants Railway Spring Steam Gala 2014

It was there on Wednesday, facing Alresford

 

Thanks
I'm working on the Belle on Saturday so might see the 9f in action on the RAT

 

The U was on the service train.

 

Nellie was in light steam, so I'd guess the U on the Belle and Nellie on the RAT, but that's just a guess.

 

Talking of the U Boat, the latest MHN looks to be a pictoral farewell to it, judging by the amount of pictures in this issue!

Now a very important gala related question............................ is that damn chippie in Alresford open again yet?.....

 

Up to your eyeballs in curry then? Lol!

BTW Steve I like that photo of yours of the Brit and A1 Crazy ISO perchance?....................................

 

Not too high, 3200.....my copy of the MHN hasn't wended its way the 250 yards from the station to my house yet...and the Balti Belle is on the 15th March, after the Gala. No chance of being hauled by Braunton or Clan Line although we have had Tornado and DoG on the front before ...

I hope that Braunton gets a few runs solo this gala, she only managed one in October.

 

Perhaps that's why the 9f isn't tabled, to reduce the need to double head.

 

I have people have been complaining that they do to many double heading sometimes... cant please everyone.

The gala looks really good and am really excited about going to it.

 

Cheltenham pulled the Belle tonight with Nellie on the RAT (no diesel assistance) and both were on fine form. I was told that 925 had had a bit of work done since Xmas, she certainly sounded nicely tuned, no clanks and a very smooth ride tonight (although the new timings helped I am sure) This bodes well for the gala! 92212 looked rather "winterised" with a plastic bag over the chimney. Maybe with two visiting pacifics (and expensive to hire ones too) the 9F will be given a rest for the gala, with 925 950 34007 31806 45379 35028 34046 and No 1 there is plenty of motive power!

 

8 locos will sufficient for the 4 full line passenger sets, 1 shuttle, and 1 goods, including changing locos at each end, otherwise there will be unnecessary double heading and/or too few runs with the visiting locos.

 

45379 and 34007 should arrive back this coming week.

 

Odd as the 9F was away from MHR rails most of last season, also wouldn't it be better just to have the 9F running rather than MET1?

 

If you read the MHR web site events page about the gala 92212 is in action over the gala. I've copied it below. I'm sure it will all come to light in the near future.

 

The fact that the 9F is mentioned on the gala page does seem to suggest its absence on the timetable might be a typo. And I agree with the people above who say that if you are going to drop a home fleet loco to make room for the guests at a gala, it would be odd to drop the one that's been away recently. Clan Line is the main attraction for me but of the home fleet it's the 9F I'm most keen to ride behind simply because everything else I had at some point last year or at the autumn gala whereas the 9F's recent absence gives it relative novelty value.

And yep, I do hope Met 1 gets at least once chance to stretch its legs beyond Ropley. Enjoyed it a lot up the Bodmin mini-mountain in company with the T9 last autumn.

 

Mon 10-Mar 34046+ 35028: Ropley-Stewarts Lane (provisional) - (24/02)

Is 34046 staying at the MHR a bit longer now? The move for the 10th March now has only 35028 in bold writing..................

 

15th March. 34046 Southend to Salisbury. Now replaced by 'Britannia'.
23rd March. 34046 Kings Cross to Matlock. Now replaced by 'Britannia'.

Note that (at present) the VNTL railtour on 29th March to Kent is still allocated to 34046.

Thanks to 'uksteam' for the gen. <BJ>

 

Personally, I'm hesitant to read much into it at the moment, as the move to the MHR is still to appear on UK Steam and then we'll know for sure that both loco's (or not) are attending.....

Edit, BJ hit the reply button before me............................

 

It's said Britannia for Matlock for several weeks on the RTC site.

 

Yes, 34046 is staying on at the MHR.
34046 and 35028 are expected to travel to the MHR together. Not absolutely sure of the date yet, but it is likely to be Wed 5 or Thu 6 March.