MHR Spring Gala 12-14th February 2016

That's not good news about the field at Ropley. I think most people visiting the Galas use this for parking. I usually use the field on Friday and visit by SWT on the Saturday. In the past I have found that Alresford is a nightmare for parking during special events.

 

Hopefully the timetable will be adjusted accordingly, with earlier morning and later evening trains running to Alresford and Alton to accomodate those who decide instead to park at either of them, and those who are deterred from driving altogether and come by train

 

Can't imagine the usual Alresford to Ropley train at the end of the day being especially well patronised given this!

Could the railway not look at laying on a P&R service from somewhere? Especially on the weekend.

 

So it's going to be parking round Steve's house in Alresford for the gala weekend.

 

My drive is often filled with a red truck owned by a Watercress Belle volunteer when the Station car park is full!

 

Any idea when a timetable for this event may be released? Looks like it will be a cracking gala!

 

For those not on Facebook the MHR posted this picture this morning with the below comment

"We are busy gearing up for the Spring Steam Gala - the specially made Guildford Shed plates have arrived..."

 

92212 has now been added to the Home Fleet roster on the MHR site. Did 9F's ever work through Guildford?* Must have been a rare working if they did.
So the final line-up is:
Visitors
30120
30541

Resident Loco's
925
34007
41312
45379
92212


* A quick search and I have found a picture of 92239 on the excellent David Heys site showing the 9F preparing to depart Guildford with a freight for Feltham Yard.

 

I understand that it is planned the timetable will be available around the end of this week.

 

Wouldn't 92203 have passed through Guildford in company with 75029 en route to Liss having been bought by David Shepherd? Unusual working certainly (!) but I guess the shed was long gone by then. Long before my time though!!!

 

For anyone still cogitating about parking at the gala - more options have now become available - there will now be limited parking at Medstead ( I assume the business park) & at the old Coors brewery at Alton, alongside very limited parking at Ropley.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/product.php/21/spring-steam-gala/4c2d7c092b425d8f2467c1585f209963

I'm sure more detail will given nearer the time.

 

According to the MHR web site. Parking at Ropley is available at the top car park which is accessed from Bighton Hill lane.

 

I know, Lee, but there aren't that many spaces.

 

We are going to use SWT on both Friday and Saturday as I have bad memories of trying to get up Bighton Hill Lane when the old car park used to be in use.
Also from next week using the car is going to be a real pain as they are closing the road where I live for Water pipe works and it will be shut for 4 weeks
This is on top of the road coming off our road already being shut since Christmas for other road works.
Walking to Aldershot Station and catching an early service to Alton is very appealing and quicker at the moment!

 

Well if you do end up taking the Charabanc, then the definitive guide to parking can be found here...... http://www.watercressline.co.uk/art...gala-parking/983d50a0382cc6a4784d9b1d4b411375

 

Cheers for that. It's looking unlikely that we will use the car but you never know.
Looking forward to the event anyway. The Q has been on my most wanted list of visiting engines for a long time. It's quite the pocket rocket as I travelled behind it at the Giants of Steam event in October at the Bluebell and it was very impressive.

 

Lucky you!

I had a ride behind it last May & it just went "Chuff", but so did the S15 with neither exactly being worked........

Still, hopefully she'll get a run on the freight each day...... ................ worked well with the Crab at the ASG!

Also, I have a feeling that both guests will be facing Country to keep 925 company & balance things out......

No doubt the provisional TT will be out next week, given the curve balls the planners have been dealt......... & given the Ivatt is back, and the guests, I think we can expect to see the locals again!

 

Re Q- Richard has said he hops to have the Q on one "down" freight over the entire length of the line. The T9 has arrived at Alresford, facing "country" Possible Q/T9 double heading opportunities during the gala?

 

How?...... unless the Q gets turned after the gala..........

 

You look to be correct the MHR just posted on Facebook that "The timetable will be published early next week."