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SVR Autumn Gala 17-20th September

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Kje7812, Jul 22, 2015.

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  1. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    £6 get over it. It's nothing in the grand scheme of things, if you can't afford it maybe you shouldn't be going out for the day. For a full day out it's £31.25 if you buy a one day rover ticket online and a WTT and that isn't bad at all. If you went to the cinema it would be £8 probably for 2hrs. A lot of sport is at least £25 to go watch for 80/90mins. £31.25 for literally 24hrs is value for money.
     
    JBTEvans, Aug 3, 2015
    #61
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  2. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

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    When you remember that low loader costs alone for one medium sized tender loco to & from a Gala top £6,000 its not unreasonable to suggest that those moaning about a few quid for a comprehensive WTT are in real need of a reality check.
     
    1472, Aug 3, 2015
    #62
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  3. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Personally I think it is a good idea to sell the WTT and I like the fact it includes so much detail. However, I have noticed that there is quite a few people who think it is too much information and all they really want is the Loco/stock allocations. I wonder if both were made available which would sell the most? I've suggested before that costs could be lowered at a stroke by taking it online with a secure download (which isn't hard to implement). This would lower the printing costs as a smaller run would be required and on the same page a cheaper Loco and stock only sheet could be offered for say a couple of quid. Other advantages would be instant delivery for the purchasers along with eliminating postage costs which could either be passed on or increase profit.

    The one disadvantage that I know someone will mention is that it would be easy for someone to pass on the sheet. While this is true if I am honest it wouldn't take 5 minutes for someone to scan the paper document and put it online anyway if they are that determined. However, this would be overcome by the basic sheet as if priced right it would make the effort of sharing it pointless. This is how the legal Mp3 sites cut out a lot of the piracy, by making the product price at a point where people thought the cost outweighed the hassle of searching out an mp3 illegally, I would imagine most here would feel the same.

    Out of interest (and I have absolutely no say in the matter as I am not involved in the running of the gala), a couple of quick questions. 1. If the WTT was made available online along with a simple Loco & stock sheet would you be interested?
    For this example we will price the WTT at £4.50 (to allow a small saving on printing and postage costs) and the simple sheet is £2.00 which brings me onto my next question 2. Which would you choose and 3. If you haven't bought a WTT before would you consider purchasing the simple sheet? Be interesting to hear everyones views.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Aug 3, 2015
    #63
  4. black5

    black5 Well-Known Member

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    In the past I've never bought the WTT in advance, but have on the day, if it was available online to download and pay through paypall, etc. i'd be a lot more inclined to purchase in advance. I'd a probably by a simple sheet on the day as well for ease/changes...
     
    black5, Aug 3, 2015
    #64
  5. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    See that is one of the points, it can be bought online but you have to wait for it to be posted out, assuming you are aware of that I guess your saying the convenience of an instant download would be a good selling point which is something I would agree with.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Aug 3, 2015
    #65
  6. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

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    But a good part of the point in printing the comprehensive WTT is to be able to issue it to crews both to study beforehand & use on the day. That particular need cannot be substituted by e-communication. It is a complicated document essential to the smooth running of the event. Selling the same document enables the print run to be more economic. Producing it in another alternative form just puts up the overall costs of the event which are already eye - watering. Many working members who are close to these events (not just on the SVR) believe that for risk/cost/income reasons the days of large Gala events may be numbered.

    Its time to stop moaning about relatively small issues & just enjoy them.
     
    1472, Aug 3, 2015
    #66
  7. 45076

    45076 Member

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    I'm not saying it should be free like most railways, but I only require a single sheet of paper.
    No need to carry half a tree around with me.
     
    45076, Aug 3, 2015
    #67
  8. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Yes you would still have to print the copies for the working staff but then you have to do that every operating day without the chance to re-coup anything towards the costs. The costs of putting it online are minimal, you just need a PDF of the WTT and a area on the website to host it on. Once you have them it is easy to completely automate the delivery system with a bit of computer know how. Compare that with the current system which requires manual input (someone has to put them in the envelope for a start), and it's easy to see that the current system is far more complex than it needs to be.

    Got to be honest, your post dismisses the idea without having the full facts. It realty is not hard to implement if you have the right skill set.

    I think it's a case with move with the times and if moving with the times could potentially lower a cost and increase revenue then surely that could only be a good thing. As a member I do certainly hope that if I put the suggestion forward to the relevant people (which I will if the replies suggest there is a potential market) they would at least consider it rather than just dismissing it and putting up barriers that needn't exist!
     
    Pete Thornhill, Aug 3, 2015
    #68
  9. pete12000

    pete12000 Member

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    Happy to spend an extra £6 on the WTT in addition to my rover ticket, it supports the SVR.
    I tear out or photocopy the timetables for the days I want, they fit nicely in my pocket.
    Sorted.
     
    pete12000, Aug 3, 2015
    #69
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  10. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    That's a fair point Fred I completely agree that the gala's do have different markets but if you are going to cram as many trains on 16 miles of track as you can might it not be a good idea to do little things like make sure like locals can fit in the siding at Hampton Loade?
     
    Matt37401, Aug 3, 2015
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  11. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    I'd rather pay £6 for a book than £3 for a sheet personally.
     
    JBTEvans, Aug 3, 2015
    #71
  12. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    This was the point I was getting at. Opinion is clearly divided hence the suggestion to cater for both markets.

    Oh and in case anyone is wondering I'm actually another who prefers the full thing but do understand why some just want a simple sheet.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Aug 3, 2015
    #72
  13. The_Mighty_Kings

    The_Mighty_Kings Member

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    Ah yes the age old argument about the WTT that comes up on each and every SVR gala thread lol

    Anyway, to get back to the event itself.... I'd like to post my thoughts on the loco/stock combos which could be offered during the gala.

    I'd love to see the following:

    Brit with blood and custards - early BR logo on the Brit will suite the early BR stock livery perfectly
    Taw Valley and Maroons - SD memories
    Royal Scott and the LMS set - ok so the Scott doesn't have a parallel boiler and isn't in LMS livery but surely this is still the most appropriate loco on offer for the LMS set
    Manor and the GWRs
    SKP & 28xx on the night jobs
    45xx on the freights
    Which leaves the PIG on the teaks I guess

    I'm sure the organising team have some great plans and ideas which take into account the logistics involved (of which I'm not privy to) in putting on this events and I'm really looking forward to both the event and seeing the WTT to see what's planned :)
     
    The_Mighty_Kings, Aug 5, 2015
    #73
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  14. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Given that there's still a possibility of another guest, are there any former residents currently in steam suitable for the teaks? It would make a change to have something suitable hauling them. Was Bittern ever resident?
     
    flying scotsman123, Aug 5, 2015
    #74
  15. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    No but No9 was, the only 3 that would match the teaks and steamable would be the Y7 (cant see that with load 8), 1744 ( ok but a recent visitor) or the B12 (yes please!) 34053 always seems to go rather well with the teaks Gresley and Bulleid in harmony again!
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2015
    Matt37401, Aug 5, 2015
    #75
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  16. kieranhardy

    kieranhardy Well-Known Member

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    I may be wrong but surely the SVR would want to have both the Bulleids working in daylight as an extra selling point for the event?
     
    kieranhardy, Aug 5, 2015
    #76
  17. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    She's been looking rather nice on the LMS set this past few days, something of a S&D style to it even if the exact liveries aren't quite there
     
    Kje7812, Aug 5, 2015
    #77
  18. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I've mentioned this before but the LMS set goes pretty well with anything when the 26 visited from Llan it looked rather Scotish as it did with 828! With D7612 it looked a bit midlandy and the double header with 4566 in GW Green made it look like an SLS tour! Yet with SKP and 92214 it gives an S+D feel. It went well with 30053 & 5786/L92 earlier this year. Is it because its Maroon but dosnt look like a MK1? I'm a big fan of the buffet car though so many good times! And headaches the following day!
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2015
    Matt37401, Aug 5, 2015
    #78
  19. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    The LMS set had the perfect engines for it in 2002, 2006 & 2010 - Nice red ones;)
     
    Pete Thornhill, Aug 5, 2015
    #79
  20. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Those red 'uns are now green and black! However theres a nice 2-6-0 in Lancashire... Or failing that
    6201 could do with a bit of running in! Hintdy hint hint! :p
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2015
    Matt37401, Aug 5, 2015
    #80
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