MHR Restorations and Overhauls

And long may those relations continue Dan.

As you say Bulleid S1456S is on a 25 year loan , but BY 653 has been purchased by the Mid-Hants Wagon Group.

92212 I understand will be staying at the Bluebell at least until S15 847 goes into trafffic to aleiviate the Bluebells shortage of large Loco,s.

Happy new year

Chris:

 

I hope so too. Two very great railways. I may have to visit the MHR again if Colin is saying that they are planning to beat the Autumn Gala in 2012.

 

In my humble opinion, it might be a salient move to push next years Autumn Gala back to either later in September or sometime in October, as yet again it currently clashes with the Swanage gala - both lines benefited hugely this year from non conflicting gala's with record breaking attendances which in the current economic climate is no mean feat, It just seems silly to me to undo all the momentum - just a thought, if anybody is listening.........................

 

Well when you do make your next visit , do try to make it on a Saturday at Medstead.

Ask one of the station staff to escort you , (or anyone else for that matter), to our restoration area for a free guided tour and a mag of tea, you and others would be made most welcome.

Kindest regards
Chris:

 

You would not be surprised who is listening Dave.

regards
Chris:

 

Lets just hope that my impassioned plea doesn't fall on deaf ears Lol!

After this years success it just makes perfect sense.

 

Surely they can't move the autumn gala again after they have printed all of next years timetable leaflets. This was also asked by a shareholder at the MHR AGM with a reply saying we won't be moving the autumn gala again.

 

Run two Autumn galas perhaps? October has some advantages and attractions, but the weather is not always as kind as it was this year.

 

Was that done this year though? I can't recall whether the original date was advertised in the leaflet, then changed subsequently.

And in terms of the co-operation between railways, I think people will be surprised how much this actually goes on. I know in the south of England there is a lot of co-operation, along with meetings between representatives of the various railways, which may surprise some who see us as all being in competition with each other. We are all in a similar boat (so to speak), and to be at each others throats all the time does none of us any favours.

Finally, it was nice to have a little discussion, albeit off topic, about carriages at Swanage. Would anyone be interested in a separate thread in the heritage rolling stock section about these?

Kind regards

Nick

 

They did it this year!
The leaflet is (as far as I see it) only a guide (most people will get their info from the website) - the proposed September gala became the "Farewell to the standard Five" weekend ( and the weather wasn't exactly kind!) I don't know what the attendance was like as I didn't go, but as I said earlier both lines benefited hugely from having non conflicting gala's - and this coming year the MHR wants to celebrate 35 years in style and have a better than ever autumn gala - having it on the same weekend as Swanage will not achieve it, push it back further into the autumn and it WILL be a success!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Finally, it was nice to have a little discussion, albeit off topic, about carriages at Swanage. Would anyone be interested in a separate thread in the heritage rolling stock section about these?

In a word, yes!

 

Given that there are good relations between the leading Se railways,it could also prove usefull when arranging visiting engines, if say costs can be shared either 2 or 3 ways and could mean the difference between obtaining a visiting loco , i know what i would love to see, to celibrate 35 years, 2 certain swanage based bulleids coming down to ropley and either the black 5 or u boat attend their gala ,or both if they can be towed in steam by rail, with 31806 going on to the bluebelle as a way of saying thanks for the loan of the tender , if JB agrees to it of course?

 

At the end of the Day Swanage Railways September steam gala has ALWAYS been on the 2 weekend of September.

The Mid Hants moved their event onto the same weekend about 4/5 years ago....why should Swanage move their event?

 

Nobody's saying that Swanage should move their event!

 

It was better last year

 

Yes I know!

Which is why it makes sense for the MHR to have a later gala - both lines reap the benefits of not having a clash of events!!!

 

The main reason why the steam gala (2011) was changed was because of Tornado 60163 visiting the MHR over the school half term week. This was to replace the Wizard weekend which had started to lose favor with the general public. So both events were combined together. Surely the MHR management would have considered all possible dates before printing\advertising this year’s autumn gala.

 

Agreed Lee , so why not tell Colin About this rather than us?
Dave Franklin said you had to work today?

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Chris>

 

Hi Chris,

Happy New Year. I hope they dont change the gala dates again I've just booked my holiday for next year.

 

Looking around Ropley today I see 60163 Tornado has now turned up at Ropley.