SVR Autumn Gala 17-20th September

I suspect someone has put the link ready for when the timetable is released. Hopefully it won't be too long now

 

I am led to believe there is one more visitor to go. Also the timetable is more simple than previous years, only one local which is the auto.

 

But is said local at the southern or northern end of the line?

 

South, it's quite a basic timetable which might be for the best considering how often we seem to be running noticeable late this year.

 

1) Excellent news

2) mixed feelings, longer trains presumably? But how will this affect train frequency, will certain parts of the line be less busy than usual?

 

The most frequent service we can run is 5 full length services at approx 45 minute intervals. Without having seen a WTT myself, if there is only the one auto running as a local i expect the timetable will be somewhere along those lines.

 

South is good as it is where the majority of the passengers are.

 

The SVR official facebook has something about the final announcement coming 'soon' so maybe tommorrow or early next week.

 

Wish they'd hurry up and let us know what the 3rd visitor is. It's been doing my head in trying to guess what it is!

 

Big engine then?!

 

That's interesting, I assumed the locals stemmed from spate paths in only certain sections due to differing lengths, hence the DMU operation on the GWSR between Winchcombe and Toddington only - it's a spare path inbetween the two full line trains. So less locals may actually INCREASE frequency as well as capacity, in which case makes very good sense indeed!

Still hoping for something red or apple green for third guest (regardless of authenticity ).

 

Bearing in mind the make up of the SVR home fleet at the moment (34027, 34053, 2857, 43106, 7812, 4566, 1501, 1450), plus the two confirmed visitors being large locos themselves, there isn't any shortage of locos capable of taking full length service trains for the gala. As it stands the only likely passenger turns for 4566/1501 would be double headed as all sets are likely to be 8 or 9 coaches in length. two of 2857/43106/7812 likely to be on overnights.

 

You're quite right Pete, i suppose the point is, since when has a gala visitor been defined by "need"?! Its all for the fun of it! 6960 I think is the front runner, especially considering the imminent visit of a certain SVR pair to Somerset. The increase in reciprocal visits between railways has been quite noticeable since Duncan Ballard has taken over the hire arrangements on the valley.

 

Website is now showing directions locos will be facing and sldo confirms one more guest will be announced. I noticed this in some of the blurb; "Brake Van Rides on goods train available with a very special visiting locomotive." I would guess this is the third guest, so any ideas? Sounds like 3205 to me.

 

Thank goodness for that! I only had one turn on it and that was too many! not a good example of its class.