13/05/2005 - 15/05/2005 Mid-Hants Railway
Following on from the hectic events of the previous day's move from the Nene Valley to Wembley , 31108 was tripped over to Old Oak Common by 37401 on Thursday 12th May . Once at OC , 108 was coupled to 37190 and the ensemble departed at approx 1020 for Alton and the Mid Hants Railway Diesel Gala still behind 37401 which itself was a guest at the event.
The convoy from Old Oak Commoon to Alton comprising 37401 , 31108 & 37190 pause at Bentley..12/05/05
Soon after arrival at Alton , another convoy containing 20001 , 20227 , D1013 and hauled by 45112 arrived and after a bit of a re-shuffle , 31108 ended up being hauled by FM's 31128 from Alton to Ropley. The event itself was the 3rd one we'd been invited to , each one with each of our locos.......and was to take place the following day , Friday 13th through to Sunday 15th May 2005. All the locos were assembled in order of departure for the next morning and as it turned out we stayed with 31128. 108 was given a quick checkover to ensure all was ok , following which it was off to the hotel for some refreshment...
Awaiting departure from Alresford with 31108 in multi with 37401....15/05/05
Neil , our 'conductor' for the day poses next to 108 at Alton with an Alresford service.. 14/05/05
31108 was started on the Friday morning ready to take up her duties , and went LE with 31128 to Alresford. The Gala was the same format as in previous years and over the 3 days 31108 worked 5 trips of this lovely line , most on our own , some with 31128 , one with 37190 and 2 with 37401 ( in multi ).....! No problems with 31108 , she was as good as gold and it was an extremely enjoyable weekend. The ' crank ' band ' Blyth Power ' played the ' Gig by the Grid ' even though there wasn't a Grid to PLAY by.......! Gig by the Goyle I guess it could have been.....? The evenings entertainment / company was up to the usual high standard we've come to expect at the MHR.......!!
31108 arrives at Medstead with the 0955 Alton - Alresford...14/05/05 photo S Harvey
 
A couple of shots of 108 stabled at Alton during the event...5/05/05
Our pride & joy stands behind someone elses whilst stabled at Alresford in between trains ...14/05/05
31108 together with 37190 & 20227 and hauled by 45112 left Alton on the Monday morning and arrived back at Codnor Pk that afternoon. Unfortunately 20001 missed its move back to Butterley due to brake problems and as a result , arrived back by road a few weeks later.
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