Mid Hants Railway 'Autumn Steam Spectacular' - 28th October 2011
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Posted on: 29th October 2011 Updated on: 01 November, 2011 Over the final weekend in October the Watercress Line provided a star studded line up of no fewer than 9 locomotives, that ensured that the event lived up to its 'spectacular' title.(Right: 9F No:92212 pilots No:34007 'Wadebridge' past Northside Lane) An action packed timetable meant there was little time to wait between trains and goods and engineering trains added interest in between the intensive passenger services. (Below: 9F No:92212 pilots No:34007 'Wadebridge' past Northside Lane) |
The title 'Autumn Steam Spectacular' certainly showed ambition. With three large mainline registered 'pacific' locomotives dominating the line up some doubted how 'spectacular' the performances might be, but the Watercress Line's stiff gradients of up to 1 in 60 ensured that any such doubts were pretty unfounded! (Left: LNER 'A4' No:4492 'Dominion Of New Zealand approaches Ropley)
Main AttractionsAs with many steam galas, this event offered an intensive passenger service along the entire length of the line as well as frequent shuttles between Arlesford and Ropley. However, the gala also offered the interesting opportunity to see not only the railway’s splendid goods train, complete with a variety of wagons from vans to tankers, but an engineering train, too, with a breakdown crane, among other vehicles. Perhaps the major attraction of the line is its challenging gradients, at times as steep as 1 in 60 which even made some of the larger engines like No:60163 ‘Tornado’ make some noise!
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Locomotives
This was another ‘big engine gala’, with just one tank engine rostered to run, and three ‘Pacifics’ topping the bill. So, as such, there was no one particular star of the show, but it was No:60163 ‘Tornado’ which attracted many of the visitors, and, in common with the Severn Valley, the ‘A1’ was making its second (?) appearance on the line. Fellow LNER ‘Pacific’ No: 4492 ‘Dominion Of New Zealand’, former resident No:4462 ‘Bittern’ in disguise, dazzled the crowds with its striking Garter Blue livery, sweeping valances and commanding chime whistle. No:4492 was standing in for classmate No:60007 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ and made an admirable replacement.
The third ex LNER interloper in darkest Hampshire was the sweet and delightful ‘N2’ 0-6-2T No:1714 which was making its first visit to the Watercress line and put in some gutsy performances on the local trains between Arlesford and Ropley. Originally, the ‘N2’ had been penciled in to spend all three days pootling along on the local services, but happily this was changed to give the 0-6-2T a chance to stretch its legs with one full line round trip each day. (Right: No:1744 potters past Northside Lane with a local working for Ropley)
The fourth and final visitor, was BR 7MT 4-6-2 No:70000 'Britainnia', still in the BR unlined black that it has carried since its last overhaul in 2010. Interestingly, the 7MT, which has now spent much longer in |
preservation than it ever did under British Railways, was one of three locomotives at the event owned by multi billionare steam enthusiast, Jeremy Hosking. His other engines at the gala were No:92212 and No:4492. On Friday 28th October the crew No:70000 appeared to be setting out to prove those that say large engines like 'Britannia' have no place of preserved railways wrong. Throughout the day the 4-6-2 put in some stiring performances accompanied with regular blasts on its chime whistle, which simply shouts look at me!
From the home fleet all operational steam locomotives were pressed into operation on both passenger and freight workings. (Left:Sparkling in the autumnal sunshine 'U' class No:31806 pilots 9F No:92212 into Medstead & Four Marks with the goods) |
Visitor NumbersIn comparison to other major galas, the Friday of this event, whilst undeniably busy, was by no means overcrowded and we were able to find a seat on almost all the trains that we wanted to ride on. (Right: BR 7MT No:70000 'Britiannia' storms up the gradient out of Ropley with the Pullman set at Bowers Grove Lane) The only service where we could not sit down was on the Pullman/ Real Ale set which, rather surprisingly, had no standard class accomdation, save that is for the luggage compartment of the brake coach! This seemed rather odd and the atmoshere was rather uncomfortable and quite possibly frightening for younger children, not to mention
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stressful for their parents. Surely it would not have been too difficult to tag just one normal MK1 on the front or back of the set? (UPDATE: I have since discovered, thanks to an e-mail from a reader, that gala rover tickets are valid in all classes of coaches)
TimetablingThe timetable for this gala was in many ways a masterpiece with Ropley forming the centre of activities with something happening every few minutes it was never long before another train turned up. Usually two full line trains passed at Ropley, one of which passed with the local train at Arlesford which then, almost immediately, headed back for Ropley. (Left: No:31806 is captured in dramatic silhouette with an Engineers train at Northside Lane) The idea of swapping
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locos at Alton seemed to be a good one, and reduced the opportunity for people to hog seats behind one particular locomotive. This had the added advantage that engines switched which set they were on allowing different photographic oppotunities. Another stroke of genius by the timetable authors was, in contrast to events at some railways where two locomotives have been stuck together in a double header all day, was to allow locomotives to work solo and in some inspired double heading combinations.(Right: No:34007 'Wadebridge' makes light work of the two coach local out of Arlesford) A particularly thoughtful pairing was made for one round trip with
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9F No:92212 and No:34007 'Wadebridge' which resulted in scenes remenicent of the old, now long gone, Somerset and Dorset Railway. Also, the fact that the goods and engineering trains continued running throughout the day rather than running only first thing in the morning and being the last thing in the evening as on some railways was a much appreciated gesture to photographers.
Value for moneyThe ticket prices for the Mid Hants gala were on a par with many other similar events this year with a day rover costing £20 for adults, whilst child rovers cost £10. However, one reason why there appeared to be more teenage visitors could have been the fact that the child ticket was valid for passengers aged 2-16yrs rather than the more usual under 16 cut off point. The glossy booklet that was given out for free with the tickets was a nice touch and provided most interesting and informative information about the locomotives. (Left: LMS 'Black 5' No:45379 drifts down past Northside Lane)
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Conclusions
Although trains ran about 5 minutes late for most of the day, the Mid Hants Autumn Steam Spectacular, most definitely deserved that title. As with the SVR Autumn Gala, the MHR managed to highlight the attributes that make its event different, more special that the multitude of other galas run by other lines. The gradients, thoughtfully selected visiting engines and comfortably full trains without being overcowded all combined to make the event a fantastic success.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to all the volunteers and organisers who gave up their time to make the event happen. Without them there would be no gala.
Thank you for taking the time to read this report, watch the video, and take a look at the photos, hope you enjoy them, and if you were able to go they will bring back happy memories and if you weren't able to go, well, you can see what you missed.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to all the volunteers and organisers who gave up their time to make the event happen. Without them there would be no gala.
Thank you for taking the time to read this report, watch the video, and take a look at the photos, hope you enjoy them, and if you were able to go they will bring back happy memories and if you weren't able to go, well, you can see what you missed.