Watercress Line Spring Steam Gala: 29th April-1st May 2023.

Yes, a very early finish for a Gala.


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If the timetable wasn't complete, then it shouldn't be released to the public but it seems there is quite a few errors anyway

Without getting too into depth into the can of worms topic. It will make me wonder if people think the gala offers value for money over the weekend. Sadly some I know lost interest in attending owing to the rather early finish.

We see what happens I suppose

 

I expect one will be load 5 (for the most Castle hauled service) and the Alton start for the Ivatt will be load 4

 

Much easier if all trains are 5. 6 will cause delays at the stops

 

Got to be honest, this sounds like a disappointing gala, was thinking of doing two days but on this evidence will probably limit it to just one

 

The RAT service is to be formed of 6 MK 1 carriages according to the timetable info sheet. The other services must be formed of 5 (4079 set) and 4 carriages (506 / 41312 set).

 

I agree with you to be honest.

 

It’s all they could do with available locos. 4079 only operating for the three days of the Gala

 

Sounds to me like the railway is damned either way, the early finish could be because the set is needed for an evening rat, or belle, the days when the railway could put out 5 x 5 car sets are over, now they are stretched to put out 3 sets, they just don't have the stock available, nor the locos that they once had but the timetabling clearly should have been better thought out, who decides on the gala timetables , is the the normal management, or a team put together for the event?

 

Early finishes are not unusual at the Mid Hants although this seems earlier than most. In my view the problem is not the timetable but the lack of at least one more visiting loco. Now I know Pendennis Castle is a great attraction but it can be seen at other events. I also know times are tough at the Mid Hants but so are they for all heritage lines. The Severn Valley is in "survival mode" yet managed to put on a super gala last weekend.
I hope this gala works out OK for the Mid Hants but the lineup is a little disappointing

 

I mean it seams the SVR policy is high investment = higher returns
which considering the amount of stock they have they can do

the mhr was put into a state with the loco scenario, at the end of the day this is the spring gala which is usually the smaller gala, not every gala will be the biggest event for 5 years especially considering current circumstances which will hopefully not last forever.

I do think enthusiasts who visit will still have a good experience on the railway

 

We will go as always

 

Despite the "criticism" I have. I also am still going to this one. In particular for 53808. (I have such a huge fondness for that loco - will be missed when the ticket succumbs).

 

There have been several times when I’ve thought ‘Bloody Hell, not 88 again’ but it’s always delivered the goods (pardon the pun) it’s not a bad old piece of kit, there certainly seems to to be a lot of love and affection for it.

 

Is it really that early in 2023?
Last train at ESR 16:00 (OK smaller line)
Last train at Swanage to River Frome 16:33 with a 17:33 only going to Norden and back.
MHR at 16:15 from one end and 16:35 from the other, does not seem that different to me.
Later trains means more coal hence more cost for little or no extra return I suspect. How many would decide not go because it does not finish at 18:00?
Edit
And of course the last train from Sheffield Park this weekend at 16:10.

 

I believe 4079 will be facing Alton

 

My previous post was not really criticism, just a little bit of disappointment at what is on offer. For me part of the issue is that it's the same weekend as the West Somerset Gala which (for a GWR fan at least) looks like it's going to be a good one. I won't have the time to get to both.
I'm sure those who do go to the Mid Hants will enjoy it and I hope it all goes well. I will be supporting other events on the Mid Hants later in the year.

As for 53808 - well as I say I'm primarily a GWR fan so used to regard it as a bit of an odd one out at the West Somerset. However I have developed quite an interest in the S&D over the years and have come to appreciate 53808 for what it is - as someone else said, a "great bit of kit" I was very happy to hear it was coming to the Mid Hants and have been able to enjoy several trips behind it in the last couple of years.

 

A very special loco which I first saw 61 years ago. I have also had a footplate ride on it recently Basic but very different from the Bulleids on which I had many footplate miles . It’s very tired now and I think will struggle a bit on 6 coaches but hope it gets through the Gala

 

Just a thought about finishing times for Galas.

Mrs R and I were at the SVR gala last weekend and stopped off for a meal in Bewdley about 1730. Most trains in the late afternoon varied
between full and full and standing.
By 1900 the trains that we saw and travelled on were almost empty. Luckily they were short sets of stock and smaller locos so the costs were lower.

In that case running down the service from 1700 seems a sensible move allowing for passengers getting back to their starting point.
(If you get is badly wrong on the Mid Hants there is an hourly bus service until later in the evening.)

Cheers, Neil

 

5239 from the PDSR added to the line-up