Mid Hants steam Gala

[341o2]

Attended this yesterday, not entirely enjoyable. with only a few hours to spare, it appears that there is only one ticket avaliable - the £20 all day pass. Even the viewing point at Arlesford cordoned off, wrongly told that is where I should go to view the trains, then to be accused of entering mid Hants premises without a valid ticket. Not exactly friendly. Having worked on the Tallyllyn, public grumpiness towards passengers would not be tolerated

I do expect to pay as per the Bluebell policy of allowing station access on purchase of the appropriate ticket, or would it be better on the mid Hants to either make an entire day, or find a lineside location. As a result missed the T9 and 777

 

[alastair]

Attended this yesterday, not entirely enjoyable. with only a few hours to spare, it appears that there is only one ticket avaliable - the £20 all day pass. Even the viewing point at Arlesford cordoned off, wrongly told that is where I should go to view the trains, then to be accused of entering mid Hants premises without a valid ticket. Not exactly friendly. Having worked on the Tallyllyn, public grumpiness towards passengers would not be tolerated

I do expect to pay as per the Bluebell policy of allowing station access on purchase of the appropriate ticket, or would it be better on the mid Hants to either make an entire day, or find a lineside location. As a result missed the T9 and 777

Agree with you that is not good,however I think the MHR have always had this policy.

From personal experience,would suggest you visit Medstead station when there is a gala on. The staff there are helpful and friendly and will not hassle you to buy a ticket if you just want to watch things on the platforms for a little while. I was there today around 1200 today and as everything crosses there you get a good view of all operating locomotives in an hour or so. And in case anyone thinks I am just a freeloader I live close to the MHR and I do travel on it regularly,however I prefer the less crowded conditions and the lower fare on a normal day.

 

[341o2]

thanks for the advice. I particularly wanted to see the two aforementioned locos, but principally being without a car on that day could only allow a maximum of 3 hours visit. I've been to Ropley & Alton stations on non gala days and never had problems like I related above. At the Swanage sream gala, I asked for a platform ticket at Norden and told to go ahead ( I do have one for Corfe Castle). Quite surprised.

Not been to a Thomas event on the MHR, would this be treated in the same way as a gala?

 

[RobShipway]

thanks for the advice. I particularly wanted to see the two aforementioned locos, but principally being without a car on that day could only allow a maximum of 3 hours visit. I've been to Ropley & Alton stations on non gala days and never had problems like I related above. At the Swanage sream gala, I asked for a platform ticket at Norden and told to go ahead ( I do have one for Corfe Castle). Quite surprised.

Not been to a Thomas event on the MHR, would this be treated in the same way as a gala?

I have to a few Galas of different kinds on the MHR and find that the prices of the tickets varies from gala to gala. I was at the Gala last Saturday and had no problem with having the £20 ticket with being on the station taking photos and in fact having travelled from Alresford to Alton, then back to Ropley, spent quite a time there before travelling back to Alresford.

In fact I was in a Pullman carriage that left Alresford just after 10am last Saturday being pulled by 777 which gave a smooth ride along the track. All the staff I found on the MHR to be very nice and willing to help. I think you just found a member of staff that was just in a bad mood on the Saturday.

 

[341o2]

three actually. no1 was at the ticket office ("we don't sell platform tickets, go to the viewing area") I did so, and was there for a while, then went to the other end of the car park to see Lord Nelson & the schools, on my return to the viewing area, I was no sooner there, then nos 2 and 3 both told me off for entering MHR premises without a valid ticket. "Didn't you see the sign?" No request to see a valid ticket, so how did they know? Usually one is asked to produce a valid ticket first no 3 clearly seen and heard what no 2 had just said (his voice had not yet broken and probably could be heard on the other side of Arlesford) , so why the need to repeat what had just been said?

noone informed me as to what ticket i should purchase - I was left to find that out for myself

no suggestion as to any course of action open to me. If someone was in a bad mood, then don't take it out on others. most unprofessional
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I have to a few Galas of different kinds on the MHR and find that the prices of the tickets varies from gala to gala. I was at the Gala last Saturday and had no problem with having the £20 ticket with being on the station taking photos and in fact having travelled from Alresford to Alton, then back to Ropley, spent quite a time there before travelling back to Alresford.

fine it you have all day and wish to ride on the trains. But I could only spare a few hours, and after my experience wished I hadn't bothered

 

[Train wasp]

Sorry to hear about your visit to the MHR wasn't to your liking. The main reason why people aren't allowed to enter the station areas with out a valid ticket is to stop people from traveling. I think you will find their are people out there that will ask to visit the platform to watch the loco's departing the station. But they then decide to travel without a ticket. So the only way to stop this from happening is to stop all non ticket holders from entering the station areas at galas. I think you need to look at both sides of the argument. You can't go to Thrope park just to watch the rides without paying. So why shouldn't this apply to preserved railways for?

 

[341o2]

if you read my comments, I did indeed attempt to buy a ticket. the main issue is the (to put it mildly) unhelpful attitude of the staff. I visited their website, if I found the timetable and that City of Truro was not appearing, how come I was unaware of their fares for the event.

As a former active volunteer I do not see it my duty to assume the role of a policeman. I would first confirm that the person was not in possession of a valid ticket by asking to see it, then reporting the person concerned.

On the Tayylyn we were trained to treat passengers with respect - to try and give them an enjoyable experience and be friendly

 

[theageofthetra]

Had an excellent day at the MHR gala. I was on the train hauled by the spamcan that got stuck near to the top of the "alp" ,the rather Rev. Awdry events that followed were a highlight. After much slipping and failed starts a member of the footplate crew gave up and walked with a red flag up round the corner to protect the train. About 20 mins later Nelson had been detached from its train that was held at Meadsted and sent down to rescue us. Nelson then skidded on the wet/icy rail and slid into our train causing a few beers and coffees to go flying! The whole Southern Superpower consist then with much slipping got over the brow of the hill, where Nelson was detached. This whole rescue took in all about 35-40 mins, which is interesting to compare to those poor people stuck on a Southern train near Brighton for 7-8 hours waiting to be rescued earlier this year. Am still not sure why this engine got stuck with only a 5 coach train (I heard sticking brakes mentioned) as even the diminutive T9 had few issues getting" over the alp" that day. All in all this topped a cracking day and well worth the £20. The ability to go round the machine shop and see the effort that goes into keeping these locos running was nice too and quite sobering.

 

[12CSVT]

Had an excellent day at the MHR gala. I was on the train hauled by the spamcan that got stuck near to the top of the "alp" ,the rather Rev. Awdry events that followed were a highlight. After much slipping and failed starts a member of the footplate crew gave up and walked with a red flag up round the corner to protect the train. About 20 mins later Nelson had been detached from its train that was held at Meadsted and sent down to rescue us. Nelson then skidded on the wet/icy rail and slid into our train causing a few beers and coffees to go flying! The whole Southern Superpower consist then with much slipping got over the brow of the hill, where Nelson was detached. This whole rescue took in all about 35-40 mins, which is interesting to compare to those poor people stuck on a Southern train near Brighton for 7-8 hours waiting to be rescued earlier this year. Am still not sure why this engine got stuck with only a 5 coach train (I heard sticking brakes mentioned) as even the diminutive T9 had few issues getting" over the alp" that day. All in all this topped a cracking day and well worth the £20. The ability to go round the machine shop and see the effort that goes into keeping these locos running was nice too and quite sobering.

Certainly not the first time 'Wadebridge' has slipped to a stand on Medstead bank and it won't be the last. As for why it does this, the Spamcans have approximately zero adhesion and totally unsuited for the 1 in 60 climb. Even when it visited the Great Central (which hardly has any gradients) for a gala weekend in 2011, it was slipping and sliding all over the place.

 

[theageofthetra]

Back in the day wasn't this route used as a diversionary to get to Southampton? I wonder how these locos got on then with a 10-12 coach boat train behind them!

 

[GearJammer]

Back in the day wasn't this route used as a diversionary to get to Southampton? I wonder how these locos got on then with a 10-12 coach boat train behind them!

They normally had a pilot engine on the front to help over the MHR. Dare i sugest the problem might have been a combination of poor rail adhesion and the slow speed limit? Its not like the loco can take a run up?

 

[455driver]

Spam cans have always been "light footed" and subject to losing their feet, they are excellent on a good rail but pretty bad on a poor rail.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Certainly not the first time 'Wadebridge' has slipped to a stand on Medstead bank and it won't be the last. As for why it does this, the Spamcans have approximately zero adhesion and totally unsuited for the 1 in 60 climb. Even when it visited the Great Central (which hardly has any gradients) for a gala weekend in 2011, it was slipping and sliding all over the place.

Wadebrige had a few problems at the SVR gala yesterday and was unable to work its first train although by the afternoon it had hauled a train from Bridgnorth.

I would never begrudge paying £20 to support a preserved railway which had gone to the time and expense to lay on a steam gala.

 

[341o2]

Spam cans have always been "light footed" and subject to losing their feet, they are excellent on a good rail but pretty bad on a poor rail.

Because the Bullied valve gear was designed to enhance acceleration. Sliipping was a trademark of the engines, not helped by leaky oil baths.

Last year, Tangmere disgraced itself at Parkstone by slipping to a standstill and having to be rescued by a diesel while on a steam special and featured in the local news.

The rebuilds were still capable of spectacular slipping as well. I have the DVD Waterloo Sunset (SR steam 1964-7) and there is some spectacular footage

To return to my original point, the issue is not begrudging £20 for a ticket, but did anyone inform me of MHR fares on this day? No
I do not take kindly to rudeness and being treated as if I were a half wit

 

[Bedpan]

Sorry to hear about your visit to the MHR wasn't to your liking. The main reason why people aren't allowed to enter the station areas with out a valid ticket is to stop people from traveling. I think you will find their are people out there that will ask to visit the platform to watch the loco's departing the station. But they then decide to travel without a ticket. So the only way to stop this from happening is to stop all non ticket holders from entering the station areas at galas. I think you need to look at both sides of the argument. You can't go to Thrope park just to watch the rides without paying. So why shouldn't this apply to preserved railways for?

As a member of MHRPS I do despair sometimes. The explanation given leads me to wonder if they will refuse to sell tickets to anywhere other than Alton on a non gala day because "Once people get on the train they might decide to stay on the train beyond their destination, so the only way to stop this from happening is to not issue tickets other than for a ride of the full length of the line".

I agree that most people would and indeed should spend a full day at the line but there are always those who for whatever reason only have a short time to spend there - maybe because they happen to be passing through the area on the day, or because they can't get there till late in the afternoon and don't have time to get a full round trip in.

Incidentally one thing that gets my goat is being treated as though I'm dishionest/irresponsible when I'm not, whether its being alleged that I might jump on a train without a ticket or whether I'm made to pay extra for a bottle of wine/glass of beer because at 62 years of age I "might binge drink, get drunk commit acts of vandalism/get in a fight/require hospital treatment". HELLS TEETH!!!

 

[455driver]

at 62 years of age I "might binge drink, get drunk commit acts of vandalism/get in a fight/require hospital treatment". HELLS TEETH!!!

Ha, so you admit it then!

 

[Bedpan]

Ha, so you admit it then!

You've made me laugh so much I won't get to sleep now!