Mid Hants Spring Steam Gala: 26th-28th April 2024

Ivatt has gone down vice Manston.
Manston doing the previously double headed service.
Leander still on freight.

29 will be checked/repaired when cool, but issue seems to be tube related.

 

Shame about the Lambton tank being taken out of service. I was getting to rather like it having also seen it on the Severn Valley last week. Everything else seemed to go fine today with all trains running to time or very close. Star of the show undoubtedly Leander - what a noise that made going "over the alps"! I rather like Manston with its dirty look - I wasn't old enough to see the end of Southern steam but from the photos I've seen it really looks quite realistic.
Does anyone know why Leander was carrying a wreath today? Presumably in memory of someone.

 

The wreath on Leander will more than likely be for Craig Potter, ELR steam driver, Leander support crew member and West Coast fireman who sadly passed earlier this week aged 34 from illness..

 

Have to agree, what a noise. Leander was the surprise star for me!

 

A very enjoyable day in the Hampshire Alps despite it not getting off to a great start when I found out that the SWR services to Alton had gone to pot due to overrunning engineering work. So I switched to the car option and got caught in the traffic in the Farnham area.
Arrived at Ropley to a queue going into the car park and then joined the ticket office queue. Hopefully the railway will do well from this event. It didn't seem to be quite as busy as the 2023 Autumn Gala.
Having originally planned my travel from the Alton end I had to revise my plans and opted to catch 45690 on her first run to Alton. A very noisy climb to Medstead followed with the unmistakeable sound of the Jubilee roar carrying back down the train. The return from Alton was even better. What a sound as we forged up the hill out of Alton. 45690 was in very fine form for a loco nearing the end of her ticket. Beautifully turned out as well.
Next I bailed out at Medstead for a tea and to capture the Lambton tank climbing into the station while the sun was out. Manston then provided haulage to Ropley to capture 506 storming through on the freight. Highlight of the day for me as the driver of the S15 really opened her up. I will put my video taken from the Harry Potter bridge up on Youtube later. When 34070 returned from Alresford I joined her train at Ropley for a run to Alton and back to Alresford. The tender first run up to Medstead was a little off beat but the return run on the delayed 14.30 from Alton was another highlight of the day. Passengers enjoyed some wonderful Bulleid chatter up to Four Marks. Getting back to Ropley I found out that the Lambton tank had failed which scuppered my plan of getting a run behind her on the trip planned to use No.29 and 41312. Finished the day with a visit to Alresford to see 35005 finally back home. Great to see her back at last. I then headed home behind 41312 on the the 3 coach set which took the place of 34070 which had been kept back to haul the 5 coach set originally scheduled for the Lambton Tank and 41312.
Thank you to everyone involved for an excellent day. I will hopefully be back Sunday with my Dad.
A few of my pictures from the day:

 

506 on the freight by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

506 on fine form today

 

Here's my footage of LMS Jubilee Class no. 45690 Leander blasting up the Hampshire Alps during the opening day of the Mid Hants Railway Spring Steam Gala. Leander sounded absolutely amazing up the steep gradients and Leander sounded even better than Bahamas, the difference between a single chimney and a double chimney are very apparent between the two. I really hope you enjoy the video.

 

On arrival at Ropley depot on Saturday afternoon 29 was leaking water from the firebox. Tube trouble?
Cheers, Neil

 

Saturday afternoon? Peggy (29) is currently, very slowly, creeping towards M4M from Alton.

Andrew

 

Had a great day yesterday working on 34058 sales stand.

 

A good day yesterday and would echo others comments about Leander, certainly the audible and performance star of the day. Of course appearance wise Manston won hands down, and now has an even more 60's in service look than when it departed Swanage at the end of November.
I had said to my wife earlier in the week that I would go on Friday as the double header did not run on Sunday. Well that was a good plan then.
I did find one small benefit from Covid yesterday (the only one?). Having hung from a droplight between Ropley and MFM (from the 5th and last coach) by arrival at MFM my mouth and I guess lungs were full of the constant rain of material slung out from Leander's exhaust. As I still carry masks in my jacket in case my Dad is unwell or I feel unwell when visiting, it was goggles and a mask for the return run from Alton to MFM, then in the front coach. What a run that was constant Jubilee roar once clear of the loop, I ever never departed Alton before via the loop, and strangely did not on the subsequent departure.
Whilst there is only so much can be done on a 25 mph limited line, I do often time runs. Well that climb from Alton to MFM equalled the best I have ever had, which was with Tornado, albeit on a load of 6. However the departure via the loop seems a lot slower than the usual route, so very impressive. Couple of times I checked between random mileposts the train seemed glued to 25 mph.
Paid my £10 to have a ride up to MFM in the QM Brake van, which was good, as a sudden change to my plans. Glad I did as it also meant I did at least get a short run from MFM to Ropley before 29 had its issue.
I must say that was one of the best looking freight trains I have seen in a while, a real compliment to the volunteers.
A few of my images from the day, starting with activity at Ropley first thing.

 

Great day today and no rain by the time we left at 1530. Good time keeping and 29 even put in an appearance on the 1535 ex Alresford though with D8188 on the back as insurance as far as Ropley though it sounded nice when worked hard. 45690 and 34070 sounded great on the 1055 and 1145 ex Alton. Both through the 10 mph loop so that plus the new signalling approaching Medstead meant the it was impossible to keep the 13 minute booking despite very good climbs.

Trains very busy especially the 3 coach set and the 1515 arrival at Alresford which was absolutely crammed. Lots of families. Hope the railway has made some money

Thanks to all at the MHR for their hard work. My best Gala for a long time.

Don

 

29 returned for a round trip yesterday and has since failed again. Class 20 to substitute all day I understand

 

29 did run for part of yesterday, and was nice that it was put on passenger stock rather than the freight which enabled more visitors to travel behind her. She didn't work her last booked turn, disappearing liht engine Alr-Rop late on as the rain came in. Not sure what her status is today. The good news is the weather seems OK this morning. No 1 son and his family are coming for a ride today so I'm looking forward to a run behind "Manston" and /or "Leander" Duty Druid and myself were at Rookwood/Wanders linesiding yesterday PM, so here is on of the Lambton visitor
Lambton no 29 at Rookwood by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

29 has failed again and is withdrawn from the gala. Been told the Ivatt will run in its place and one or two diesels will be fired up to fill in wherever needed.

 

Yes, No 29 is cold in the yard this morning and 41312 has taken her duties on.

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

A shame about no. 29, but did catch her on my couple of days at the gala

Some photos at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/MidHants/Spring-Steam-Gala-April-2024, a selection follow

 

Shame about 29 - gala pot luck, I suppose.
5690 (like 2857 a couple of years back) looks and sounds like an engine that has just been run in, not just about to come out of service.
Pat

 

A 'fun' day yesterday ballast yomping with @Hampshire Unit.........

The brake van rides on the QMB seemed to be rather popular, no idea why! It really is the only way to travel at a gala.

Some pics from yesterday........

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53684255326/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53684626684/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53683388137/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53684626264/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/53684627204/in/dateposted-public/

 

Thanks to everyone who called in at the Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society and MNLPS sales stands over the three days for a chat and puchasing stuff to aid restoration of 828 and running maintenance of 35028.

Also thanks to the Watercress Line for organising the events. ( I just hope Helen B recovers from the pressure in the next few days!)

Cheers, Neil