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.

MHR steam galas March & Sept 2009

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by 73129, Oct 25, 2008.

  1. Small Prairie

    Small Prairie Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2006
    Messages:
    2,537
    Likes Received:
    171
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Coach Driver
    Location:
    North Devon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Thank you Steamage and 21D , So much more helpfull then others about i must admit.

    I still cant see why the boxes would be hard to fill ( ok yes ,it doubles the amount of signalmen needed) but i think just like footplate crew , people would be quite happy to do more then one shift for the gala ( obviously not doubled shifts but do one shift , take the 8 hour + sleep/rest period then sign on again when needed)

    It sounds like the MHR are startting to listern to everyone so this should be a fun gala for both us ( the footplate crews) and everyone else
     
  2. David

    David Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    Messages:
    818
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    water meter reader
    Location:
    Eastbourne
    Bluebell's Giants gala two year's ago did have 5 Bulleids at the railway - B.V. Eddystone, Wadebridge, 92 Squadron and Sir Archie. I guess though in terms of "photo opportunity" it's a first for the Mid-Hants as 34059 was still in the works.
     
  3. kieranhardy

    kieranhardy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2006
    Messages:
    1,580
    Likes Received:
    685
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Kidderminster
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Plus remember MHR had at least 5 when they had Taw Valley visiting, Can Pac, Bodmin, Swanage & 249 Squadron, and perhaps again when 34081 visited? Although i'm not so sure about that.
     
  4. martin butler

    martin butler Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2008
    Messages:
    3,440
    Likes Received:
    388
    what ever runs its going to be a great gala, and i cant wait to say hi and swop old memories , when Taw valley visited, did she run any public trains? i can remember when we had squadron and swanage , she caught out my driver because the reverser was almost jet powered compared to the one on swanage, which we were used to but my best memory was being at the shed at ropley the following week end after the woking 150 seeing an M7, U, N, T9 ,stnd5 and 4 S15 and bullields in the shed roads
     
  5. PhotoMatt

    PhotoMatt Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    Messages:
    1,603
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    IT Engineer
    Location:
    Hants
    It'll be an interesting line up of Bulleids, especially with them not all facing the same way!
     
  6. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2006
    Messages:
    6,596
    Likes Received:
    2,242
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Hampshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

    Taw Valley did operate for one of the Galas although it was when she had started having an identity crisis and ran as 34045 Ottery St Mary. IIRC she double headed with 34016 Bodmin.
     
  7. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2007
    Messages:
    4,496
    Likes Received:
    1,079
    Location:
    Winchester
    Also don't forget 35018 and 34067 have been residents of the MHR but never in run able condition.
     
  8. MID HANTS MARKETING

    MID HANTS MARKETING New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2009
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    I stand corrected re: 5 v 6!

    Still, doesn't happen every day of the week, so will be well worth a visit.

    Look forward to seeing you all there.

    Cheers

    Tim Beere
    Marketing Manager
    The Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'
     
  9. 21D

    21D Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2006
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    0
    That's good, so does that mean that you will be able to switch your boxes out?[/quote]

    I don't think that that is part of the plan for any of the boxes except Alton. Alton will run "automatically" when there is no need to pass trains or carry out a move involving the Meon Loop. Cleverly using track circuits the road will set and signals clear to let a train arrive, run round and depart without a signalman.

    Not sure there would be any point switching Ropley out as you have to be able get the loco's in and out of the Yard. Medstead might be sensible, but it would be challenging with the new Alton arrangements as the long section token would effectively become Ropley Alton and since Alton would be unmanned I am not sure how you might do that - I expect there is a way, but I thinking lots of complexity would be involved.
     
  10. 34007

    34007 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2007
    Messages:
    3,166
    Likes Received:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Hampshire
    I too am going to be there... Being made redundant - Maybe the MHR can employ someone willing to put his hand to anything???
     
  11. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2008
    Messages:
    2,576
    Likes Received:
    545
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Brick Machine Operator
    Location:
    Haywards Heath
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

    Taw Valley did operate for one of the Galas although it was when she had started having an identity crisis and ran as 34045 Ottery St Mary. IIRC she double headed with 34016 Bodmin.[/quote:28meg6w5]
    I went and saw Taw Valley when it went to one of the Giants events (2002 I think) at the Bluebell and was failed over the gala. I think the Bluebell had permission to run her as Taw Valley but had been running as Ottery St Mary when it arrived. Don't think she got to double head with BV though. (On another note was 35005 and 35028's meeting at Eastleigh a first in preservation (In completed form)
     
  12. jon5051

    jon5051 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2006
    Messages:
    669
    Likes Received:
    380
    Location:
    Bucks
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Taw Valley was carrying the number and name of 34037 Clovelly at the Bluebell Giants of Steam IIRC, 34045 (and Westward Ho!) followed
     
  13. SG-Canada

    SG-Canada Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2005
    Messages:
    267
    Likes Received:
    5
    Occupation:
    Land Use Planner
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
     
  14. rsfaithfull

    rsfaithfull Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2007
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    0
    I remember that day well, I was firing Bodmin.
     
  15. 73096

    73096 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2007
    Messages:
    504
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Salisbury
    looks as though smiffy was firing "34045"
     
  16. rsfaithfull

    rsfaithfull Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2007
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    0
    He was. The safety valves got thoroughly tested that day!
     
  17. 21D

    21D Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2006
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think they lifted 14 times before he got off shed didn't they?
     
  18. chessie

    chessie Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2006
    Messages:
    755
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Hants
    Don't know - couldn't see through the smoke........
     
  19. martin butler

    martin butler Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2008
    Messages:
    3,440
    Likes Received:
    388
    only 14 times \:D/ smiffy must have been been having an off day, or someone hid the shovel now that rsf and smiffy are drivers has the coal bill gone down?
     
  20. 21D

    21D Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2006
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    0
    The best bit I think was when he called out from underneath where he was doing some oiling, to ask who was making all the noise!!
     

Share This Page