MHR Spring Steam Gala 2015: 13th - 15th February

Disappointing news about 46100. I didn't reveal the 'mystery loco' 46100 or the theme of the event as when I was told about it at the Diesel Gala it wasn't a done deal.
I guess 46100 is still a fair way off returning to steam at Crewe but she might turn up at the MHR one day what with the JH connection.
So I wonder which loco's will be attending/available for the Spring event? I know it was mentioned at the AGM in September that it was hoped 41312 and 76017 would be ready for this event.
Don't know if this is still the plan but that would give a provisional line-up of:
34007*
41312
45379
76017
850
92212
925

*On the latest Ropley Shed update it is mentioned that 34007 is not required for service until the Spring Steam Gala........................ So is a Spam Can reunion with 34092 likely?

 

hmmm with 76017 returning to steam for the first time in well over a decade, will they get 76084 to come and join the party for some interesting Std 4 combos....

 

Shame the LMS theme has been pulled, you don't get many LMS locos running near London.

 

Just goes to show that Ropley rumor mill isn't always that reliable. Just have to wait for the web site to be updated. I wonder if 70000 will be back in action before the gala. Still wouldn't mind seeing 70000 being renamed for the spring gala.

 

That would be great especially if 70000 was back in action by then. How about a BR Standards Gala to celebrate the return of 76017? Would there be a 78xxx available I wonder as this class has never visited the MHR. Doh! Sorry I've caught speculitis

 

Only 78019 boiler ticket expires May 2015.

 

The other thing is the MHR could hold a standards gala to raise money for 75079..... oh and I suppose long term 80150

 

You mean they actually "missed a trick" this time?................

Strangely Lee, what I heard didn't come from there...........

All I know about the Spring gala is, its going to be ruddy cold........ & who knows what the weather will bring..... or does the "Ropley Rumour Mill" already know?..............

 

No comment!.........

 

The info I got did not come from the "Ropley Rumour Mill". At the time the info was correct but has since changed. I didn't post it on here because it was provisional. Let's just wait and see what the powers that be have up their sleeves for February. I just hope the weather is okay. Been reading some reports which claim we are going to / not going to have snow or have the coldest winter on record

 

All this makes I laugh............ given a conversation I had today.......... announcement on face ache & website & speculation on here................ though there's one part of the conversation that hasn't been denied....... read into that what you will........... and no I'm not the MHR "guru" or mouthpiece on this occasion............

 

I'd imagine getting visiting locos in February should be relatively easy... there's not as much demand on preserved lines, and not many competing galas going round, ok some will be on maintenance .. not even much on the mainline..

Would have been nice if the MHR pulled in 46233 though - I can dream.

 

Finding locos that are available and that you can afford is never easy according to people involved who have posted on here in the past, but there should be more choice for a February Gala.The only events on this date being at the East Lancs and South Devon at present, plus the end of half term week I think.

LNER gala any one? Morayshire maybe coming south in the spring and it visits a number of railways transport costs could shared making it viable. If NNR gala does not clash ( usually does) the B12 may be available. Mayflower likely to be a Southall, but with West Coast looking after it that could mean John Bunch and the Tangmere support crew so that could rule it out.With the other B1 passed for Whitby it may not be available, so the K1 & K4 could be options.

 

Normally I'd tend to agree with yourself, but with 5x railways competing on the same weekend in 2015 (MHR, Churnet, Nene, East Lancs, South Devon) that's even less scope for a time when numerous locos are on maintenance periods. Hopefully each event proves successful mind.

 

It got to East Lancs for 1 weekend too, but agreed this is a loco that I would hope would be more travelled than it has !

wow 5 galas same weekend in February !!! who'd have ever thought that 10 years ago !
With all the disappointments of summers (steam bans, etc) maybe the movement is trending towards colder months to get that Enthusiast fix !

 

Agree with you about 46233. I would also like to see a "Manor" pay a visit as 7812 couldn't make it last month, but if 76017 and 41312 are both ready in time, a purely home fleet gala with these two engines being launched into traffic would be sufficient in and of itself to tempt me.

 

46233 would be excellent but the only way she would come South is by the Main Line. I wonder if she would fit through Aldershot where there are gauging problems for larger locos. Also I think she would have to have some ML work down South to justify the move. Nothing on the roster yet......

 

46233 is according to a post in another thread ( from info in the Railway Herald) due to work the first 4 WCME'S 31/1, 7/2, 28/2 & 28/3 so if this is the case will be at Carnforth ( and I expect a lot of the regulars on mainline trips in the south will be on one of these if this is the case).

 

At the Autumn Gala there were 7 loco's plus a spare. According to Green Five's post at best the home fleet will be 7 locos so at least a couple of visitors will be required, although 70000 might be operational by then and be available. I would like to see a Manor on the line but think 7812 will be unlikely with 4566 at the SDR for their event.

 

I see the MHR have now put up a statement regarding the Spring gala.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/article.php/840/spring-gala-2015