MTA
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South Downs Light Railway Annual Gala 15-16 SeptemberTo All,
Here are the main details of the SDLR's Annual Gala being held on the 15th & 16th September, I hope you can make it.
An intensive passenger service will be on offer, all hauled by steam.
A scale Goods Train will be running on the 'test track' alongside the engine
and carriage sheds and if space on the main circuit allows, it will venture
out for a few circuits.
One visiting engine has been confirmed, a gorgeous GNR Atlantic which
visited for our Teddy Bears Picnic. It is hoped for this engine and Brian
Gent's 1937 Bullock built loco 'Gladstone' to double head.
All working steam engines will be in action on one of the two days, I
believe a roster is to be drawn up...
Small traditional fairground rides and games on offer for the young and the
young at heart as well as face painting, Hunt the Teddy competition, Candy
Floss and 'Drive a Train'.
West Sussex County Council Marshall Roller No. 79669 'Joan' from Amberley
Working Museum will be 'roading' from Amberley to us on the Saturday, then
staying until late Sunday or leaving some time on Monday.
Miniature Traction engines will also be in attendance.
Now for the basic info:
Passenger trains will run from 11am until 3:30pm, unless demand increases in
which case we will run on a little bit later.
£1.20 for adults, 80p for children (3-14) under 3's travel for free with a
fare paying Child or Adult.
6 ride and 12 ride tickets are available, which incorporates a little bit
off the normal price of 6 and 12 individual tickets.
We are located 1/2 a mile to the East of Pulborough, on the main road
between Pulborough and Petworth in the Wyevale Garden Centre.
If you have a question on something that is not covered here, please do post it or PM me.
Well, I can give you a list of locos that are available, but not of one's that will definitely be running during the weekend...:
Exmoor 0-4-2T No. 319 'Pulborough'
Bagnall 0-4-0ST+T No. 1 'Alice'
Copyright Colin Pidgley 2007
Mardyke Hymek 'Arctic Prince'
Roanoke RS2 4wPH+T
Guest 4-6-0 No. 5156 'Ayrshire Yeomanry'
Richards Engineering 4-6-0 No. 771 'Sir Sagramore' (slim chance of it running)
Copyright Andy Sleigh 2007
Bassett Lowke 4-4-2 Atlantic (visiting)
Peter Howard 2-6-0 No. 13245
Copyright Colin Pidgley 2007
Hymek D7054 (last time I saw it it still needed its drive chain...)
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Chris
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Hi, we won't be there for that, but we are now certainly coming to the Amberly weekend. We will be coming on the Saturday.
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MTA
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| Chris wrote: | Hi, we won't be there for that, but we are now certainly coming to the Amberly weekend. We will be coming on the Saturday.
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Good Good Still waiting to hear back from everybody but it is going to be our best show yet 
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Garratt100
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Looks like a great weekend, but sadly we're already booked that weekend 
Chris
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MTA
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Whilst most were having fun at Kirklees, some of us Southerners were having fun elsewhere Today was the first day of the gala at Pulborough and it was great to have Phil (Milky) his father (Andy) and mother back with their 10 1/4 Atlantic. They had made an adapter coupling so that they could double head with our engines, and after a few good minutes of hacksawing and filing it fitted over the hook of 'Ayrshire Yeomanry'. Exmoor 0-4-2T No. 319 was first off shed, but not first to go out on circuit! Bagnall 0-4-2T&T No. 1 'Alice' soon followed and was first out onto the circuit. Meanwhile Phillip was steaming up his Atlantic, with a much beefier (and working  ) compressor to light up with. Once Alice had gone, I began lighting up 5156 (Ayrshire Yeomanry) so that there was something to haul the goods train:
5156 is an absolute b*****d to light up as the part of the fire nearest the firehole door doesn't catch very well. Although this had a reverse effect on me! The boiler remained cold for a good length of time, upon using my flashlight to better see the almost dead fire I saw the front of the fire had gone out! Frantic moments followed as I shovelled some good quality pine soaked in diesel oil to the front and along the narrow firebox, then some diesel soaked coal just to get it going. And thus the fire was going nicely again  An hour later and I was ready to go offshed. Almost immediately I was shoved onto the front of the goods train and went out solo for a couple of trips, before Phillip went out with the Atlantic to check clearances:
The test run was soon over, and 5156 and the Atlantic were soon coupled up. Various prayers were heard escaping from my mouth that all would go well as I had never driven a double header before. Before I knew it we were off! A plethora of hand signals soon followed to tell each other to slow down or speed up, but we made it in the end B) This continued for quite some time until we came off the main circuit for some refreshment (and relief!) An hour or so passed by until we were put onto a passenger train, which we handled well. Testament to Phillip's, Andy's and my driving :rolleyes: Although one lap when Andy was driving he lost all pressure on the Atlantic so it was up to me to pull a fully laiden train up the extension and push a dead Atlantic all the way up the extension!
There was also a surprise in store as whilst sitting waiting to go out onto the circuit who should pass by in 319's train? None other than Paul (Minor1PJG)! He and his daughter soon came over once alighting from their train and they were soon treated to free rides on the trains. Albeit behind the one I was driving
Now, time for me to shut up and show you some pictures!:
Alice passes 5156 with a passenger train.
After a long hard day, the Atlantic can rest on the turntable.
A nice shot of 5156 in the sun.
Sitting, waiting and raring to go!
Sitting half in the platform, behind 319's train.
It's not all railways you know! 4" Scale Foster 'Viking'.
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MamodFan
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looks like real good fun, is that the track at the garden centre?
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MTA
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| MamodFan wrote: | | looks like real good fun, is that the track at the garden centre? |
It's in the garden centre Except the extension which is outside the perimeter fence...
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Minor1PJG
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Simon
A fantastic afternoon in the sun with steam trains!! My daughter and I really enjoyed all the train rides and the tour of the engine shed too. I'll make sure I offer you an ice cream again when I know you won't be able to hold it!  !
See you next week at Amberley. Thanks again for the free rides .
Paul
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MTA
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| Minor1PJG wrote: | Simon
A fantastic afternoon in the sun with steam trains!! My daughter and I really enjoyed all the train rides and the tour of the engine shed too. I'll make sure I offer you an ice cream again when I know you won't be able to hold it! !
See you next week at Amberley. Thanks again for the free rides .
Paul |
Hmm, I'll have to outwit you at some point on that one
Glad to hear you had a good afternoon out. I'm not sure who gets more pleasure out of railways, the volunteers or the public  
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James
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Looks good MTA!!
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Cranko
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Looks like you had a wonderful day
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Steve_S
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Very good pictures! 
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steamyman
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great pics there MTA, good to see some women drivers too.
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Wallace
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Great description and pics MTA
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MTA
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Thanks for your nice comments guys. Even more pics and some vids later on today
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MTA
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No report this time around, I don't want to bore you to death! Just pics B)
SR King Arthur Class 4-6-0 No. 771 'Sir Sagramore' sits in Stopham Road station with the Goods train on trial.
Whilst LMS Mogul No. 13245 sits by the water tower filling up, Exmoor 0-4-2T No. 319 'Pulborough' rushes past with a passenger train.
Bagnall 0-4-2T&T No. 1 'Alice' speeds past the engine shed with the SDLRS Chairman in the drivers seat.
Earlier in the day, the Mogul was to be found on passenger services. I was driving prior to this picture, as I was enjoying a spot of tea and sandwhiches
The Mogul shows off her clean lines as she sits simmering by the water tower having been relieved of her duties.
The King Arthur again as she makes her way around the inner loop. This shot illustrates her beauty and elegance which she has gained since overhaul.
Another Foster made an appearance as well!
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andysleigh
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here are some pics i took, i didnt taker many or any good ones, i couldnt realy be bothered that much
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SillyBilly
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| andysleigh wrote: | here are some pics i took, i didnt taker many or any good ones, i couldnt realy be bothered that much
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Looks like someone put the glove on the wrong hand!!
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johnreid
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I thought that too
In all honesty, that all looks like it is too much fun to be legal.
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SillyBilly
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As long as they've got insurance and the boiler is certificated, it sure is legal.
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MTA
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SB, I had left the other glove on a buffer stop somewhere The reason for the long shovel as well is the long firebox. About one and a half feet! 
John, it's just like the Paulton's Park slogan 'Too much fun for one day'
At least you didn't see my face. Covered in soot and all the other muck that shoots out of the chimney Although my hand was bad enough (see pic in SB's quote!)
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SillyBilly
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That hand's not dirty MTA! You should see mine at the end of the day. Is there a shorter shovel for that loco? On the railways I volunteer at we just have to flick it to the back of the firebox.
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MTA
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| SillyBilly wrote: | | That hand's not dirty MTA! You should see mine at the end of the day. Is there a shorter shovel for that loco? On the railways I volunteer at we just have to flick it to the back of the firebox. |
Not for that one. Although we tend to use longer shovels for engines with long fireboxes as one time someone was firing the Black 5 (which has a short shovel) let go and the shovel ended up in the firebox
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SillyBilly
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