MHR Autumn steam gala 2011

That's a bit too early in the morning for me!

 

Evening All,

Along with lots of others, I too, went to the MHR Gala last Sunday. Although the weather was decidedly grotty, nobody was complaining and I would say that a good time was had by all. How many people can boast that they have been double headed by an A1 and an A4? Has that ever happened before?

Anyway, almost every spare moment this week has been spent slaving over a hot computer uploading pictures to Flickr and anyone interested to have a look will find them in the 'Stop Press!' collection for new pictures; see the Set dated 2nd November :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/collections/72157627090322278/

I've still got some of the captions to write, but I expect that you will know what you are looking at. The pictures will be there for about a month or so, but they can also be seen in the Mid-Hants Railway Set : http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/collections/72157626197106083/

Hope that they are of interest.

 

My two part video from the Sunday is on Youtube, photos to follow later this week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc02LYPgXHU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKa5X7nbSj4

 

Any chance of getting her operating service trains?

EDIT - Did not realise no trains were running during November.

 

A few photos from the Sunday are on my flickr website now...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/sets/72157628046750300/

 

Just posted the first part of our film, 194 files to MHR is a long way but I think the results speak for themselves.
http://youtu.be/2XG5PKpqZI0?hd=1

 

My pic's taken during my dawn 'til dusk visits to all three days of the FABULOUS MHR Autumn Gala can be found on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/52834510@N00/

 

Now all the dust has settled after this fantastic event, does anyone know what the problem was with Lord Nelson which lead to it being failed on the Sunday?

 

Those in the 'know' are keeping very quiet - you'd have thought somebody would have said something by now, so it was either a very embarrassing or very serious failure and nobody wants to comment on it!

To say that the silence is deafening a week after the gala is an understatement!!!!!

 

I don't know why Oakfield is getting so uptight about Lord Nelson's failure, these things happen and on the final afternoon of a Gala a minor fault wouldn't be worth fixing let alone issuing an explaination. By the way all operational engines (including Lord Nelson) were parked in the loop at Ropley yesterday. Bittern and Tornado were parked on the ash road and Britannia's in the Drop Shed. I think there's going to be a boiler lift today? as the breakdown crane was on shed and Swanage and 76095 + Douglas were dragged out of the shed yesterday and then pushed back.

 

I was not getting "all up tight" I calmly and politely inquired if anyone knew the cause of the problem. If anyone is getting up tight here it's DaveC1 who seems to have used his first post to abuse an established member (ME!)

If the Mid Hants don't wish to publicize the problem that's fine by me. I was only asking out of curiosity having attended and very much enjoyed all three days of the gala as a multi pass purchaser,


If DaveC! is a Mid Hants member his reply is also very much at odds with the Railways official stance of we thank you for your interest and support in the current climate where we know you can spend your money elsewhere ( MHR Gala Report on the MHR Website) and the friendly and helpful approach of all the staff I encountered over the weekend!

 

There was a problem with the Loco, nothing to write home about so it was sidelined as a precaution and towed back by deisel during the week to be checked over.

I would like to say more but my technical know how leaves a lot to be desired so I will leave it to the experts to explain.

I hope that helps Oakfield?

Kind regards
Chris Willis
Mid-Hants Wagon Group

 

Thanks, Chris. Fully answers my question!

 

Hi Oakfield, I'm glad Chris Willis fully answered your question to your satisfaction. I'm so sorry you mis interpreted my message which was saying the same thing. As a further update I was down at the MHR yesterday and all the operational engines (less Tangmere) had been moved out of the platform en masse to the headshunt to allow the Real Ale Train (RAT) to go through that night. Tangmere was in steam to work the RAT. Britannia is still in the Drop Shed (see the MHR website for details). Incidentally I am not a member of the MHR because I can't afford to be as a 3 day pass holder for the Spring and Autumn Gala's and a weekly visitor to the cafe too. I do get my money's worth though at the Gala's as I'm there from before dawn until dark on each day. If you check out Flickr you'll find the results of my visits, I hope you like them. Best Regards Dave C1

 

Hi Dave

Tangmere" ?,um this Loco is not based on the MHR, so I assume that you mean "Wadebridge".

That said I too was at the railway yesterday though volunteering. I assume you saw the Photo charter with the goods set and the newly out shopped PMV?

Kindest regards
Chris:

 

Times are now available for the return trip from Ropley to Southall for 70000 Britannia. Looks like another early morning start for the support crew.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t11/t1129p.htm

 

Next years steam galas will be held on the following dates.

Spring gala 23rd to 25th March
Autumn gala 7th to 9th September

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/Events?ref=menu