If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Mid Hants Railway Autumn Gala featuring 'Bahamas'

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by pete12000, Aug 25, 2020.

  1. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2014
    Messages:
    17,609
    Likes Received:
    11,222
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    St Leonards
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Those looking for coach M just look for the one with bars on all windows and door, and warning hazchem signs, as there could be an outbreak of WIBN during the day. and enthusiasticitus , which is highly contagious .
     
    Paul42, green five and Matt37401 like this.
  2. Martin

    Martin New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2007
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    42
    I'm socially distanced from you all then, in coach N (seat 35). I was also surprised that there wasn't a clear list of instructions (as shown on the website) included with the ticket. However, the website does say that wristbands will be issued on the day, so hopefully everyone will have the riot act read to them at the same time :). As I said before, I'll do the first trip behind Bahamas, then see how the weather and my fellow passengers behave. It'll only take one instance of finding someone else in my seat (or witnessing others having that problem) to make me get out of there and go home. I'm hoping the weather allows the field at Ropley to be used for parking - it will make things more flexible in terms of what to do / how long to stay etc. Fingers crossed it'll be a great day and I'll still be there riding behind 506 on the last "green" train of the day.
     
    green five likes this.
  3. LC2

    LC2 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2012
    Messages:
    845
    Likes Received:
    999
    Occupation:
    IT
    Location:
    70B
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Parking information:
    • Ropley Station - We have FREE car parking in a large field next to Ropley station. Postcode SO24 0BL. Disabled drop-off available, then park in the field.
    • Alresford Station - Pay and Display. £1.50 for the whole day or free Sundays and Bank Holidays. Disabled parking available.
    • Alton Station - Pay and Display. £9.30 all day Monday-Friday, £3.50 all day Saturday-Sunday.
    • Medstead & Four Marks Station -There will be no parking available.
    (From the Website)
     
  4. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2006
    Messages:
    5,921
    Likes Received:
    3,827
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Grinstead
    I suspect if instruction were sent out with the tickets a lot of people would not bother reading them or if they did forgotten them by the time of the gala.
    Wrist bands are a good idea since it will be easier to check than tickets. When I was on the DSR last month - tickets were checked both ways ( the trains you were booked on were on the ticket) , and I did not have any issues with social distancing . I suspect the challenge will be at the stations in particular Ropley , rather than on the train. While I intend to park at Ropley, anyone with concerns should park at Alresford since there will only be one train in the station at a time. While on holiday for a week in Devon/Dorset last month when the track and trace app was introduced I did not have any issues with social distancing and felt safe in all attractions and pubs/cafe visited - only the National Trust seem to have lost the plot - no plate with a cream tea!.
     
    Oakfield53 likes this.
  5. Martin

    Martin New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2007
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    42
    I guess the first test will be to see how many people who are due to get orange wristbands turn up at Alresford at 09:00, only to be told they can't travel until 10:30! (or people with blue wristbands from Alton, who can't travel until 11:00). As my "like a stuck record" posts give away, I'm still very unconvinced as to how this is going to work in practice. I trust fellow enthusiasts, but not the significant proportion of "general public" who will also be in attendance.
     
    green five likes this.
  6. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2014
    Messages:
    17,609
    Likes Received:
    11,222
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    St Leonards
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    the only way it can work is to be told, sorry your train isn't until 10.30, and you can't enter the platform until 10.10 or to post notices outside and to erect barriers to funnel people into their respective queues similar to how the Santa trains are controlled.
     
  7. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,078
    Likes Received:
    4,892
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I guess by this time next week we will all know, assuming restrictions are not introduced that may impact on it.
    I too would like to think steam enthusiasts may be responsible folks, but a look at some other rail forums shows quite a few who go with the "just say your exempt" if you do not want to wear a mask. It may not also be the passengers that are the biggest risk to the local population, but those on the line side.
     
    green five likes this.
  8. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2005
    Messages:
    2,409
    Likes Received:
    274
    I have a ticket for Saturday (and for 34053 on the Spa Valley on Sunday) but, as a resident of Greater Manchester, and if the media are to be believed, I suspect that Boris is going to tell me tomorrow that I can’t travel "darn sarf". As I live alone, have been working from home since March, wear a face mask when I should and maintain social distancing wherever possible, I'd like to think that I am unlikely to be a carrier, but I have no intention of arguing that means the rules, should they come into force, don't apply to me - there's been far to much of that, which is almost certainly why we are where we are. Disappointing, but I don't have advance rail tickets booked, I can cancel my hotel booking and I'm happy for the MHR and SVR to keep my money, so it's no huge loss and I hope that those who are able to attend have a great weekend.
     
    Aberdare, Johnb, Gilesy68 and 4 others like this.
  9. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2009
    Messages:
    2,944
    Likes Received:
    6,303
    The numbers of people have been very carefully controlled. There will be less than 30% of the numbers the railway normally accommodates on a gala day on any of the days. The numbers booked for the gala are less than the daily numbers travelling on the railway in August.

    Carriages can only be entered through the middle doors making it easier to observe whether people are joining the right train or not.

    There is no entry without a ticket. There are no "site" or "platform" tickets.

    Your seat is your seat. You do not get to change seats.

    Ropley is the best place to park and to start from. It is also the best place at which to take a break from riding on the train if you want to do so. It will be very obvious which train you should catch.

    "Ordinary" visitors who make up 90% of those visiting the railway, have not given us a moment's trouble with regards to compliance with the rules.

    Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk
     
    acorb, Swan Age, Paul42 and 3 others like this.
  10. jackshepherd

    jackshepherd Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2012
    Messages:
    499
    Likes Received:
    234
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Bus Shunter
    Location:
    Essex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Hopefully I'll receive my tickets today, so I can start planning my day. Looking forward to this.
     
  11. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Yes when went in September everyone behaved themselves. Its not the ordinary folk I am concerned about but a certain element of the gricing fraternity. Any problems in our coach and we will report it asap and take an early bath.
     
    green five and Oakfield53 like this.
  12. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    850
    Likes Received:
    627
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Croydon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Tickets arrived, Coach F on the "orange" set for Saturday
     
  13. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2005
    Messages:
    4,736
    Likes Received:
    1,107
    Location:
    Oxford
    Yes, but... Parking at Alresford is rather limited and the station car park is also the main town car park and tends to be full from mid-morning until mid-afternoon. As @21B says, Ropley is the best place for car-borne visitors to start from.
     
  14. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2012
    Messages:
    2,439
    Likes Received:
    855
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Wessex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Why is parking so dear at Alton, close on parking charges in Brighton. :(
     
  15. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2006
    Messages:
    1,491
    Likes Received:
    735
    Location:
    Hampton Court, Surrey
    Ask South Western Railway - it's their car park, whereas the one at Alresford is run by the council.
     
  16. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    There are alternatives, Perrins if the school is closed or just down the main road from there a car park on right going away from the town which I have always found space in. 10 minutes walk if that.
     
  17. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,078
    Likes Received:
    4,892
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I guess it based on the philosophy that if you can afford to commute then you can afford the car parking as well.
     
    nine elms fan likes this.
  18. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2007
    Messages:
    4,496
    Likes Received:
    1,079
    Location:
    Winchester
    Just to say 34058 Sir Frederick Pile sale stand will be at Ropley over the gala. I’ll be there on Sunday helping out on the sales stand.
     
  19. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Is 45596 there yet?
     
  20. black5

    black5 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2006
    Messages:
    1,911
    Likes Received:
    2,468
    Occupation:
    Theatre
    Location:
    Merseyside>Bury
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Yes
     
    gricerdon likes this.

Share This Page