Mid Hants Railway - End of Southern Steam Gala 1-2, 8-9 July 2017

Point of order Sir, the MHR wagon group have nothing to do with the charter, except for the rake of wagons, vans & Brake vans however, Mad Hants Charters do, and all concerned are glad that you and everyone else had a good day.

 

Having talked to the shop and Pen & Sword my book Twilight will be stocked by this weekend and I will be at Alresford for a while on Saturday to do some signing if anybody is interested.

 

Very fine book it is too - would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Southern steam. There are plenty of copies in the Ian Allan bookshop near Waterloo station.

 

And my footage from the charter on Monday...

James

 

Some of my favourite shots from the first day of the gala:

 

Here is my video from the first day of the Gala:

 

Settling in for some Spamcan action on the special non stop service from Alresford. 7 or 8 coaches on the drawbar

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Piece of cake.

 

You spoke too soon. We were stopped before Medstead and now stuck outside the station
She was going so well too.

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After setting back a bit and some great driving she got underway again. Just been back the other way with 35006 and she slowed down about halfway up the bank but recovered in fine style. The sound and performance that followed was superb. One of my best experiences over the Alps.

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Indeed she did. Got a report straight from the footplate.

 

BBC and ITV local news programs have both visited the railway today with any luck this will bring in a few more visitors over the weekend.

 

Just been informed that there's good footage of 34081 on BBC South.

 

iplayer has the lunchtime news at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08wv2w9/south-today-lunchtime-news-07072017
Fast forward to 4.25
And the Evening news at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08wv2wc/south-today-evening-news-07072017
from 21.05

 

The non-stop with 35006 was my highlight of the gala. A superb sound up Hampshire Hunt Bridge with 8 on the hook. Nothing too taxing for a Merchant, but a delightful noise from the front end. Photos/video to follow in due course!

James

 

Glad to hear that someone was filming it. We were on the non-stop specials in both directions. Highlight of the whole event for me. It really was like being back in 1967 today. Watching 41312 shunt the stock for the Special train at Alresford was a great appetiser for the main event. Then 34081 arrived and backed on. Getting the right away she slipped a couple of times lifting the train out of Alresford. She then got into her stride. An impressive pass through Ropley followed and we had a stirring climb up Medstead bank until the signal was sighted which was blocking our progress into the station. Down to walking pace with a few blasts of the whistle to get the signalman's attention.... Then we got the road and 34081 went into a big slip. We stalled. After a tense period of setting back as 34081 wouldn't go forward, finally she found her feet and slowly but surely lifted us through Medstead station and over the summit. The return trip with the Merchant Navy also had a tense moment as after a great start on the bank, about halfway up she started to struggle and it felt like the brakes were dragging. Fortunately this was a brief blip in the performance and the recovery was something else as she romped up towards the summit in some style. A wonderful, wonderful sound. I think it beats my previous best run with 5029 a few years ago. What a superb Gala this has been. We are back for our final day tomorrow.

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Yes, a real treat for the ears from both locos. Although we were nearly 1/3 mile from the line for 34081, her beat could clearly be heard as she climbed up the bank to M&4M. Unfortunately she did set off a small lineside fire, but it appeared to be burning itself out rather quickly as we made our way to Hampshire Hunt Bridge for 35006.

James

 

Agree completely with other's comments - an excellent gala and a fitting way to mark the last 50 years. Huge thanks to all involved for putting on and running this event.

 

I was onowners rep on the merchant on the non stop and the slowing was down to the vacuum handle slowly dropping in its own accord! You never notice until it's too late! But with a bit of 50% and the steam chest matching the boiler pressure we soon recovered lost speed. Was a privellige to be around the railway. Many older guys reminiscing about 1967 and the people no longer with us to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

 

I see 34081 and 34053 are double heading again. That's the throw gala this year that's thrown up that combination.