MHR Diesel gala 2009

Hi everyone I just got hold of next years time table for the MHR and the DIESEL GALA is now back on from the 29th to 31st of May can't wait. Lets hope we don't get anyone speeding this time or it will be the end of the diesel gala.
=D> =D> =D> =D>

 

Do you know if you,ll be having any guests?

 

Let's hope so, with a home fleet of a 33, DEMU and DMMU! Good to hear that the gala's to return!

 

What other Diesels are going to be turning up? Do the MHR have enough 'Passed' Diesel drivers? That is something I don't unfortunately know much about!?!?!?

 

I wouldn’t imagine it mattered if you didn’t have any passed diesel drivers , Just hire in the guy who brings the diesel for the weekend and have a pilot acting as second man , I guess that can be any one , steam driver , fireman or even cleaner with enough route knowledge?

 

I somehow doubt a cleaner would be allowed as a Pilotman TBH.... And the Steam drivers do not necessarily know how to drive a Diesel. There is quite a lot of difference to driving a steam loco to a Diesel.

 

They don't have to know how to drive it to act as a pilotman, they only need to know the line.

 

But they need to know how to stop it, just in case

 

The guests locos haven't been confirmed yet

 

I was really shocked to see this, for a moment when i first heard about it, i thought "no, must be confusing it with the Mid NORFOLK instead".

Well, 2009 could be an expensive year as far as galas and events go....diesel wise anyway!

 

I hope that you are not serious in your belief that a firmean or cleaner can act as pilotman!

 

True, but I don't think it'd require a hugely detailed knowledge of the traction to work out which control was the train brake? I certainly know of other lines which are happy for steam drivers to act as diesel pilotmen, though I can't speak for the Mid Hants.

 

In order to prevent the HMRI numpties from getting upset by speeding, can we have the following ideas for the diesel gala:
*More Type 1-3 locos which have to work harder when travelling uphill, meaning there will be plenty of thrash without worrying about going over 25mph!
*Trains to be about 5 or 6 carriages long
*Top and Tailing, which means extra weight on the train accounting for more thrash
*No (silly) double headers.

I take it this time like the last time, there won't be any Daylight Railtours now that the Green Train belongs to WCRC! I thought there wouldn't be, but just wanted to make sure!

 

I can’t see the problem with it myself; to be a fireman you need to have route knowledge due to the whole water level and boiler management thing.

Ok cleaner might be cutting it fine, but if worse came to worse, I can’t see why it can’t be like it? I’m only a cleaner yet I know all 10 miles from both Alton to alresford, alresford to Alton and again in pitch black.

And no , i dont know how the HRMI or MHR work out who can be 2nd man or piolt etc , im trying to look at it logicly

 

Are there enough carriages to do that? They always seem to have just about mustered 4 or 5 including the dining train at the steam galas in recent times.

 

Yes Chris there are enough carriages, i beleive 28 in green , 2 metro cammell pullmans , and a 4 coach set ,(ex oceon liner) for the "Watercress Belle".

This help?.

Chris W,

 

I can’t see the problem with it myself; to be a fireman you need to have route knowledge due to the whole water level and boiler management thing.

Ok cleaner might be cutting it fine, but if worse came to worse, I can’t see why it can’t be like it? I’m only a cleaner yet I know all 10 miles from both Alton to alresford, alresford to Alton and again in pitch black.

And no , i dont know how the HRMI or MHR work out who can be 2nd man or piolt etc , im trying to look at it logicly[/quote:2nrr2za9]

Umm..OK...I think you best have a word with the MHR Ops Manager then.
Am sure he will explain to you the rules and regulations.
And if you look in your rule book I think you,ll find the answer there...

Out of curosity how long have you been a cleaner?

 

I havnt bothered looking at the rule book to write this , it was more just a logical idea .

a p!ss taking 2 years.

 

Join the wagon group Mitch, less hassle there.

Chris W.