MHR Autumn steam gala (Somerset & Dorset weekend)

One shot today as I was busy untill 3pm so up to Wanders Curve for the 1600 Alresford to Alton working with 88 and 73096 . Fantastic sound !! Shame there was no sun . This shots for you Andy Ford. Keep up with your length . David

 

Hi Dave


Nice photo of 45379 & 34007 at wander curve on your photo pic site

Lee

 

Was there for the 7F only another 10 years on the 5s ticket to get it .!! Once some trees have been cut down Alton end ... Mr Flail driver and boss I hope your reading this ....

 

Hi Dave,

I'm not sure when they are going to flail the Alton end of the line?

 

I did ask if it could be done before the freight weekend . However its beyond me and a set of croppers . So Flail or no shots . Nothing I can do about it . We wont be able to phot that section of line which is a shame as the new Loco is that way round. Oh well.
If it is done it needs to be done right not just the cess all the way down . David

 

David,

Find us some more volunteers, a ten-day week, some reasonable weather and we'll have the job done PDQ. Until then, you will just have to be patient....

Phil H. (also a bank strimmer).

 

Thanks Phil .
I presume your one of the Guys who have done Gungleton and Bishops Sutton etc . I would suggest that as Andy , Dave and Lee do you keep up with the clearance on sections already done as some are getting overgrown again and what would be a days work to snip back again will end up a weeks work in a years time.You have done sterling work over the last few years on these sections as well and to the benifit of the passengers who can now see where the train is in the countryside!.
The Alton section is a different kettle of fish . Many trees witth wooded sections and where it was cut back in the straight at Chawton over 12 years ago its now grown up again. Certain sections will remain with trees as it should be.
From a photographers point of view There are around 8 locations (of quality) which despite my best efforts early this year at three of them are overgrown anyway as they have ferns etc which grow high and thick .
Its a ground covering foliage problem which a flail would deal with quickly and easily. Most cutting back would I have to admit only realy benifit photographers on this section due to the above. and as there is no access for them apart from the lucky few of us to enjoy the lineside, Its of limited benifit as the passengers can see the world pass by where they can, apart from in the leaf fall season and we have diesels for banking !! .

 

Where is the 'Wanders Curve' please

Regards

 

About half-way from Ropley to Medstead. If you are travelling towards Medstead it's where the line curves to the right following the straight section out of Ropley.

 

Thanks

 

30075 had trouble today on the second (11.55) shuttle from Alresford to Ropley. It stopped twice for a blow-up within sight of Ropley station. Load was only 2 coaches, one of them the LMS inspection saloon, but 30075 seemed unable to move more than about 100 metres at a time. Ran out of puff I suppose. Needed assistance from the 08 to get into Ropley down side platform, went into the yard but I don't know what happened after that.

 

A few pics from todays lineside foray. No sun untill the last shot of the day ! .Lets see what Sunday brings .More Cloud??
It would seem prudent not to do 88s first trip out of Alresford as its hauling the Slurp and Burp Set. So Try the Alton end I did some cutting there today though nothing to show for it and the ferns at the oaks need a brush cutter they are beyond me.
Rest of the pics are uploaded here http://lineside.photos.preserved.fotopic.net/c1894688.html

 

Hi Dave,

Let's hope the weather is kinder for us tomorrow. I saw you at Yew tree curve today from the window of the Slurp and Burp Set with 73096 at the helm. How deep is the undergrowth at Bluebell woods/Broken tree trunk?

http://lee.mediaobjects.co.uk/c1894996.html

 

Lee the Frens come up to my chest !! Im 6ft 6 dont forget... I tried to knock some down but they are old and tough so gave up .
The cutting we did there prior to the freight weekend has worked as there are very few things sprouting apart from the ferns so thats good.
Also by the Birch Tree the Ferns are too thick as well. Oh well roll on the Winter.

 

There is nothing stopping you from offering to join the gang. I am sure MHR cutting back group would welcme photographers with open arms. It would giive you the chance also to let them know what works for a good picture.

 

This was a great event on Friday. My Father and I decided that we would ride the trains all day and just get shots from the stations as the weather was a bit murky (well until it was time to go home and the sun came out!). We usually ride the trains in the morning and then go for some shots along the line (from legal locations I will add as we saw a few idiots on the lineside without any hi vis gear on).
We went to Ropley with the very handy parking in the field. We had intended to catch the first train from Alresford which we thought would be the 7F but waited for the second one which she was on. She sounded fantastic climbing from Alresford to Ropley and then then onto Medstead. At Ropley she passed the superb Black 5 45379. I thought 73096 sounded good on the banks but 45379 is very loud! She seemed to have a whistling injector though.
We certainly got our moneys worth for £10 (members price) as we rode behind all the locos except 92212. Enjoyed the doubleheader with 45379 and 34007 with 34007 doing most of the work with occasional bursts of power from the Black 5. It was good to see the freight out again and lots of people liked travelling in the very comfortable dining set. We didn't even miss 30075 on the shuttle as this usually causes problems anyway (looks like it happened again Saturday reading another post!)
There were certainly many moments when you could have been back on the S&D .................. 88 forging up the banks; listening to 92212 pounding up to Medstead from the station; 73096 climbing from Alton with enthusiastic use of her chime whistle; a Bulleid and Black 5 in unison. Great moments from Friday. Oh for more S & D galas!
I might even come again next weekend even though I am coming down for the Open Day the week after that!

 

A few photos from today. A pity the standard 5 wasn't out, but apart from that the day seemed to run smoothly.

http://simon71.fotopic.net/c1895385_1.html

 

Overall my Dad and I had an enjoyable days' photting. The freight train looks superb now and great credit must go to the C&W lads. Only disappointment was that we got three shots of the 7F tender first in lovely sun but when the loco come up chimney first the sun went behind cloud bang on cue as the loco approached us, usual sods law I guess.

 

Another day photographing on the MHR a shame the sun didn't stay out when the train came along. Look forward to the Mix Traction gala next weekend. Looking at the time table the service trains runs later at this event.


http://lee.mediaobjects.co.uk/c1894996.html

 

Oh and I forgot to mention the efforts of Chris and his gang on the freight which looked great.