Mid Hants Railway Autumn Steam Gala (Sept 2007): reports, movies and photos

23rd September 2007: Sept 2007 Steam Gala Timetable
Photos (23rd September 2007): Matt Allen

From: Nigel Wilson Sent: 23 September 2007 22:00 Subject: Gala Hello Tony Attached are a couple of pictures from the Gala on Sunday. As usual the boys and I had a very enjoyable day. Enjoyed Repton in particular but 73096 sounded great as always. Also had our first trips with 34007 which was nice. Thanks to everybody who made the event run so smoothly, very polished performance! Best regards Nigel, Michael & Philip Wilson Video by Michael (now aged 10) and Philip (7) (4.8MB) Michael is reliable as always although he was slightly spooked by the new grille on our favourite bridge at Alton. Philip is still variable, his shot of Repton goes a bit wrong in places but as the sound is so good I've left it in the video. After that he comes up with a great shot of 34007 disappearing into the smoke (end shot). Best regards Nigel
Photo (23rd September 2007): Nigel Wilson

23rd September 2007: Three photos (23rd September 2007): Dave Warwick


23rd September 2007: Two photos (23rd September 2007): Stephen Morley

From: Gary Smith Sent: 24 September 2007 23:05 Subject: Re Steam Gala 23/09/07 Hi Tony Just a quick email from myself, son and wife to thank all involved in yet another fantastic Gala on the Mid Hants. Even my good lady Helen, often bored by train-related events, really enjoyed it !!! She was particularly pleased to capture the exchange of tokens spot on at Medstead in the attached photo. Gary Smith Photo (23rd September 2007): Helen Smith
22nd September 2007: Early morning, Ropley yard
Photo (22nd September 2007): Michael Topham

22nd September 2007: Alresford	Ropley
	Six photos Rolleiflex (HP5) and one (colour) 35mm (all 22nd September 2007): Horace Ward
	Ropley

22nd September 2007: Photos (22nd September 2007): Ken Alexander


Photo (M&4M, 22nd September 2007): Chris Todd

22nd September 2007: North Street Two photos (22nd September 2007): James Mayl


22nd September 2007: Chris Le Corney shot this from a main line train Photo (Alton, 22nd September 2007): Chris Le Corney
Ropley
Alton Two photos (22nd September 2007): Mark Drinkwater

Photo (22nd September 2007): Jon Bowers
From: Jon Bowers Sent: 22 September 2007 21:24 Hi Tony Joined up with your PW chaps at M4M early this morning for the trackwalk through to Alresford, followed by a bit of gricing just outside the latter. Many thanks to them for being so accommodating and friendly, as ever! Also noticed a few other Bluebell folks enjoying the sounds of the Schools climbing your banks… Weather started off somewhat foggy, although gradually improved to give some occasional bright spells in the afternoon. None that really coincided with the trains mind, but you can’t win them all! Hope you like the video and pic. Cheers Jon I do, Jon, as will all the others ... tw Movie by Jon Bowers (22nd September 2007, 3.8MB)

Medstead & Four Marks

Three photos: "Friday and Saturday" (21st & 22nd September 2007): Chris Searle

21st September 2007: Repton departs Alresford with the 1250 for Alton Photo (21st September 2007): David Pollard
21st September 2007: Photo (Approaching Ropley, 21st September 2007): Dave Warwick
Goods train waits at Medstead & Four Marks for the road to Ropley Photo (21st September 2007): Chris Le Corney
21st September 2007: Matt Allen used his MHR PTS Cert for line-side access to good effect ...





	Six photos (21st September 2007): Matt Allen More

21st September 2007: Three photos (21st September 2007): Steve Guess


#30926 sounded superb climbing the Alps. I had trouble finding a window to listen to her on the first train of the day on Friday! The residents also sounded good and the non-passenger workings certainly provided extra interest ... Chris Searle
Photo (21st September 2007): Chris Searle

From: Phillip Hathaway
Sent: 28 September 2007 21:01
Subject: 21st Sept Gala
Tony,
Friday 21st September 07 of the Gala was very special because one of our firemen was celebrating a landmark birthday: Belinda Jacob (Billie) was 21 on that day. Unfortunately Billie's booked engine (Bittern) was not able to attended the Gala, but this gave the opportunity for her to come out on her favourite engine 34016 Bodmin. As booked fireman I prepared a headcode disc with SPL 21 on. Billie was unaware until we were sat at Alton on the first service train when the disc was presented to her on the front of the engine; the photos are of: Billie and her disc; Billie and her crew Richard Faithful and Alex Taylor; and Billie and me.
We all really enjoyed the day.
For anyone wondering what the 3 disc headcode was it is actually the Channel Island Boat Train, quite often my usual headcode.
Yours
Phill Hathaway
MHR fireman

From: Lionel & Rita Twiss
Sent: 27 September 2007 14:06
Subject: Thank you
Whilst we were on holiday in Hampshire we spent a wonderful day on The Watercress Line-the first of your recent steam days.
Our son is permanently in a wheel chair and is registered blind. The sounds and smells of the rolling stock meant more to him than probably most of your visitors.
The staff could not have been more helpful. At every station we visited help was at hand. Your toilet facilities for the disabled were excellent.
Please convey to all the staff who were on duty that day that their courtesy and professionalism was much admired and appreciated
Lionel and Rita Twiss
Thirsk
North Yorkshire
p.s. Have a word with someone in the repair shop where there is a notice requiring an "E". Try looking at Crewe.

Autumn Steam Gala

21st - 23rd September 2007