WSR S&D Spring Steam Gala, 5-6 and 10-13 March 2016

With all the alarums and excursions on a certain other thread I'd not really realised just how close the Gala now is. A few minutes work and 3 day ticket for the second weekend booked, programme ordered, appetite well and truly whetted, (by now) traditional trip looming on horizon. Can't wait.

Not to mention a chance to have another look at the Bath Green Park model at BL (a mini work of art) and also to see Alastair Knox's lovely N Gauge model of Burnham on Sea, also at BL Several favourite pubs to revisit, the odd chippy, etc etc etc

Oh and 3 eight-coupled locos to choose from - heaven indeed.

 

Hello,

The GWR 813 Fund Sales stand will be in the Shed at Williton both weekends and also Friday 11 March.
Lots of railway related items for sale...DVDs,new and second hand books.
All proceeds go towards the Locomotive and the extensive collections wagons,coaches and vans.
17 of our vehicles are based on the West Somerset Railway

Pat Goss of the Fund will be manning the stand, Nick Baxter will be attending both Saturdays.

Nick
GWR 813 Fund

 

I would very much like to come for a day, most likely either on Saturday 5th or 12th. While I fully appreciate that no one wants to give away details which are only available in the programme, I took a look at the public timetable for Saturday 5th and was surprised how few trains were actually shown, given there are eight visiting engines.

Please could someone answer a few questions:-

Firstly, are there any more trains of any description (including goods trains,etc) running, but not shown in the public timetable?
Secondly, are all the visiting engines being used on that day? (I'm particularly keen to see 34053 and 34070 in action, although I wouldn't turn up my nose at any of the rostered fleet - it's a pretty star-studded cast).
Thirdly, are locos being turned on the turntable/triangle?

Thanks.

 

What day? The 5th

 

34053 on 5th but not 34070.

Rest of fleet in action

 

Without letting too much out but to give you maximum value, the 12th is the better day for your needs, there are other days when both are running at the same time but if you can only make these two dates I would say Saturday 12th.

To let a small cat out of small bag you may see both those engines both with suitable pilots and without and may even see one with a Pines Headboard at some stage. You will need to be at Bishops Lydeard for the 08.45 departure to get maximum Bullied viewing time in. Sorry no goods as the line is stuffed full of passenger trains in many combinations that particular day so it looks like no spare paths.

Yes all engines will be turned both ends and running chimney first. Hope that helps.

 

Hi John

1) Yes (on 5 Mar); No (12 Mar)
2) One visitor not being used on the first Sat [edited]
3) Yes

Hope that helps a bit and I hope you enjoy the visit. May I respectfully suggest purchase of a programme for the fuller details?

Steve

 

Do you accept railway collection donations.

 

Where will the 2 halls and manor be during gala, not hidden away hopefully. Would like to photo them

 

Hello,
Yes we do.
We do not take Railway Mags anymore.....we have recently had to recycle some 500 the other week!

Nick

 

Thanks Steve and to everyone else who has responded. Most helpful

No worries - if I come (which I hope to but can't be 100% sure) I will indeed purchase a programe. I've no intenton of freeloading, but it's likely to be a last-minute decision as to which day and whether I'm sufficiently on top of my work to be able to cope with a very long day away at all. I was down in 1996 and loved the event then, so I know that it's going to be good.

 

Minehead shed according to the programme.

 

Hope you're able to. Going to be a fantastic gala

 

Sent an email this morning, and got a reply this afternoon. Although mine was apparently sent, they are sending another. As I'm only there for the second weekend, it should be here by then.

 

Just catching up with this thread.... fantastic news about the 8F. I haven't seen that one so it will give me an added incentive to attend! Well done to Andy Forster and the WSR

 

Gala Programme ordered a couple of weeks ago but still no sign in Brum despite being assured that it has been dispatched

 

Anyone doing all six days? Saturday 12th looks best for timetable and roster.

 

I got the same message, being 'resent'.

 

There does seem to be a problem with WSR gala timetables being sent out. I didn't receive mine either, so I rang them and received it within a couple of days. And it's not just at this gala, one two previous occasions we've failed to receive the timetables we've ordered.

 

Great news about the 8F coming to the Gala. This is another Loco I will be able to cross off my list of "not seen" along with the 9F. I'm also looking forward to seeing the 2 7F's in BR black and an unrebuilt WC/BB again.
On my way down for the 2nd weekend I'm hoipng to call into BL on Thursday around midday and pick up a programme so I can plan my rides on the Friday and Saturday.
Hope the weather plays it's part in what looks like being a great gala.