MHR Autumn Steam Gala 2014.

Jesus it on the website............... under membership benefits!

Spare me please........... then again they could always start volunteering and get in for free!

 

There is a bit of a mystery about the future of the Waterman collection. 5224 and 5553 have returned to Crewe after the expiry of thier boiler tickets and since then....nothing. After posting an update every quarter on 6634, all has gone very quiet at the SVR as far as this engine is concerned. Then there's Thornbury Castle. One Forum member had the chnce to ask Pete Waterman when it would be ready and he said "in a couple of years", This was about 10 years ago, I think. He was quoted in the railway press to the effect that he was prepared to sponsor a further soverhaul for 49395, but no one seems to have produced any recent authoritative statement from him about the plans for the locos he owns.

I've got to plead guilty too here. No idea that members could get a discount on gala tickets. Thanks for enlightening me.

Likewise. I've had a run on the GWSR behind 4270. An enjoyable run through some pleasant countryside but even seven coaches isn't much of a challenge for such a powerful loco with the somewhat gentle gradients on the line.

 

Got a couple of photos this morning under murky skies - will be returning tomorrow to spend the day travelling along the line.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davestubbings/

 

I was a bit further up the line....

Northside Castle by Arle Images, on Flickr

 

Everything is going well so far. 5029 & 45379 have put on the best shows for me.

 

Now sitting on the 17.55 Alton departure near the end of an excellent first day. Highlight was standing on Medstead station listening to 5029 lifting the 16.30 from Alresford out of Ropley. You could hear her all the way up the bank to Medstead. Magic!

 

My snaps from today:

http://simonwhittinghamphotography.zenfolio.com/p716736271

 

Sounds like someones had a good day!

Busy?....... or did the weather forecast put people off?........

 

Ropley car park looked to be filling up by 10am and by the early afternoon I knoticed cars parked on the left side of the field. The first train from Alton looked to busy and there were lots of people wandering around Ropley station/yard. One big plus was the weather. We didn't get any rain just cloudy.

 

There was some rain, not a lot but it did rain.

 

Must of only been a few drops of rain? I didn't see any but it did come over dark at one point in the afternoon at Northside lane.

 

That'll keep the powers that be happy!

Get any decent shots?.........

No doubt I'll see you tomorrow..... ....... it's going to be a very long day for me!

 

One or two photos in the morning when there was a small break in the clouds. See you tomorrow afternoon I'm working in the morning.

 

Give me a shout & I'll let you know where I am/planning to be!

 

My Father and I both had a great day. The forecast bad weather stayed away with only a few light rain showers whilst we were at Ropley. Trains were busy but I think Friday at the March Gala was busier.
Some superb performances from the locos and the crews. I have some videos which I will post after the weekend which will illustrate what I mean. In particular 5029, 6960 & 45379 were really raising the echoes.
Talking of which.... 5029 on the 17.55 from Alton. Bloody Hell! That was something special. Never been up the bank like that & I have travelled up it so many times with many different locos. We were already really hammering up towards Medstead when near the top 5029 was opened up even more
Hopefully the sound is okay on the video I took of this. Roll on tomorrow when we are back for some more Western magic.

 

It was incredible, wasn't it?! Where were you on the train? I was at the front window, and that was absolutely deafening.

Star of the show for me? Definitely the Castle. The Hall and Black 5 were loud, but nowhere near as good as 5029.

James

 

I have, behind the U with a very exuberant youngish crew!

Couldn't tell you the speed.

Look forward to seeing the on board footage!

Give us a wave on the lineside tomorrow!

 

We were in the rear half of the front carriage. I was proudly wearing my 5029 baseball cap and a wide grin on my face

 

A similar run I had was with 34046 in March but the sound was not quite the same as today!
Where will you be? I will lookout for you.

 

Err, anywhere & everywhere.......... depending on accessibility..........

Hopefully in the morning around Tile Kiln Lane (south of Hampshire Hunt) in the morning, then Ropley & Wanders in the afternoon!