If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

GCR Autumn Gala, 5-8 October 2017

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Johann Marsbar, Mar 5, 2017.

  1. chris meadowcroft

    chris meadowcroft Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2009
    Messages:
    290
    Likes Received:
    117
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Chemical Engineering Manager
    Location:
    Stoke on Trent
    34007 performance on 5 miles of 1 in 45 would suggest otherwise!

     
  2. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,432
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    After a while on NP, you tend to get a feel for whose comments are worth reading (even if sometimes you disagree) and whose can go straight to the ground level recycling facility unread ...

    Tom
     
    35B likes this.
  3. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Messages:
    2,882
    Likes Received:
    3,590
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    TBC
    Location:
    Birmingham & Arley
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    More of this and I would do more than endorse the event !
     
    acorb likes this.
  4. The Black Hat

    The Black Hat Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2010
    Messages:
    860
    Likes Received:
    399
    Occupation:
    Defender of the Faith
    Location:
    51F
    Yes and No.

    This year really will be a celebration of Southern Steam, rightly so, with the return of 35018 likely to be the cherry on the top of the proverbial cake. While theres a number of the class to meet and join each other, that's just the way that history worked out and it gives the chance to see some again together. The overhaul of engines like 34081 is done to the highest standard and really sets the bar at what many others aspire to follow.

    Sometimes we all get too defensive when people read a post, and tease over engines that we think are a favourite. We jump to defend our engines and our ideas, while others still tease and compare or rebuff. Its all the banter and all the part that makes the hobby so interesting. Its certainly not negative and could be thought to reflect just as badly on those slapping down others for having what many would read as humour and wit, or are clearly playing devil's advocate. Its no worse than saying that 'All GWR engines look the same', that 'Northern engines were just all slow freight machines', that' Thompson deliberately butchered Gresleys stuff and couldn't design anything', etc, etc..

    Actually, I'd very much like to see 34081 this year and will probably aim to attend the event. But not because an original spam can is an engine I quite like (its not), or because I prefer engines from other regions instead (I do), or that I have a significant interest in Southern stuff (I clearly don't). Instead, its an overhaul of an engine that I know has been done to the high standard, and thanks to a forum like this I'm met someone that I would like to call on as an acquaintance/friend if I ever meet up at events like this from time to time. I respect his knowledge, effort that he has put in and his interest in an engine and history that he and others are proud of and contributed to. It would be nice to see something different from my own interests, to share in the delight of an engine returning to steam and see their enthusiasm and learn from their knowledge.

    So yes, its this year for the spot light sometimes to fall down on things that were Southern, which will be nice. But just in case, can I still borrow a flak jacket?
     
    mike1522 likes this.
  5. Penmere

    Penmere Guest

    Maybe being behind Tangmere most of the times it has slipped to a stand/ failed have tainted my judgement,
     
  6. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2007
    Messages:
    35,121
    Likes Received:
    20,773
    Occupation:
    Training moles
    Location:
    The back of beyond
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Double yaaaaawwwnnnnn.
     
  7. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2007
    Messages:
    35,121
    Likes Received:
    20,773
    Occupation:
    Training moles
    Location:
    The back of beyond
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    You are a troll and I claim my £5.
     
    oddsocks likes this.
  8. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2011
    Messages:
    1,158
    Likes Received:
    1,158
    Occupation:
    Insurance
    Location:
    Good Old Sussex by the Sea
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I think as much as anything there just happen to be a lot of Bulleids in preservation, for obvious reasons, and they're useful, powerful machines suited to pretty much anything a preserved railway can throw at them. One thing that is I think highly interesting is that for the talk of "a celebration of Southern steam" of the three big preserved lines on the former Southern Railway (MHR, Bluebell and Swanage) only one has any operational right now, the other two are both having to hire them in.
     
  9. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2006
    Messages:
    6,596
    Likes Received:
    2,242
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Hampshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    What a glorious sight and sound!
    I have had many surefooted runs behind 34007 over the Hampshire Alps. The only loco's that have got into difficulty on the MHR when I have been travelling behind them are 41312 and 73096. They more or less slipped to a stand in the same place, just before Medstead coming up from Alton.
     
  10. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    2,505
    Likes Received:
    3,248
    Location:
    Powys
    Great shot, nice to see Sir Keith being let off the leash!
     
  11. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,849
    Likes Received:
    2,362
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Researcher/writer and composer of classical music
    Location:
    Between LBSCR 221 and LBSCR 227
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Quite magnificent. The only unrebuilt Bulleid performance in preservation which beats it and which I have watched was Tangmere on Evershot four years ago. Thanks for sharing.
     
  12. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Messages:
    2,882
    Likes Received:
    3,590
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    TBC
    Location:
    Birmingham & Arley
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    What about Tangmere on Hemerdon ? 29mph over the top !
     
  13. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,849
    Likes Received:
    2,362
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Researcher/writer and composer of classical music
    Location:
    Between LBSCR 221 and LBSCR 227
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Thanks. Found the video on You tube Quite amazing!
     
    LMarsh1987 likes this.
  14. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,910
    Likes Received:
    1,387
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Birmingham
    Reads as just a bit of banter to me, and Spamcan generally plays the game and gives as good as he gets.
     
  15. The Black Hat

    The Black Hat Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2010
    Messages:
    860
    Likes Received:
    399
    Occupation:
    Defender of the Faith
    Location:
    51F
    Quite agree. Have to say I love this bit of footage. Really looks good, excellent sound on the final departure, the bit right next to camera at 7:20 really is the icing on the cake...

     
  16. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2007
    Messages:
    5,844
    Likes Received:
    7,688
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Former NP Member
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I can fully understand the ex-Southern lines having 'End of SR Steam' themed events, and how these appeal to be those who remember the event and strike an emotional cord with those not old enough to.

    However, the GCR was an LNER line and I know that steam on ex-LNER lines ended in the North East in September 1967, and further south in North Eastern Region in November 1967 (don't know about when south of York), so it is perhaps a shame that the GCR isn't using their October Gala for an 'End of Eastern Steam' Event - I suppose it all depends on what they have and can hire.

    Is there any 'End of Eastern Steam' events planned?

    Steven
     
    1472 and 2392 like this.
  17. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2006
    Messages:
    5,294
    Likes Received:
    3,596
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    There are insufficient ER engines that were around at the end of ER steam to really put together such a gala without it looking like an "end of LMR/BR steam" I'd have though! What ER engines of LNER descendency (apart from 61306 and the NE region ones on the NYMR) survived into preservation and are in running order?
     
  18. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2011
    Messages:
    1,158
    Likes Received:
    1,158
    Occupation:
    Insurance
    Location:
    Good Old Sussex by the Sea
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    To be fair, Bulleids don't need to be sure footed on hills, they ran on lines which were built properly.
     
  19. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    If you are referring to 7 September 2014 I think it was Bill Warriner Ray Churchill took the train down
     
  20. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,432
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    On the subject of Bulleids and hills, I'll just leave this here, a routine day-in, day-out duty. 13 Pullmans, which I make about 520 tons tare, going up Honiton Incline, which is 7 miles of climbing, the last five mostly at 1 in 80 with about half a mile of 1 in 70 thrown in the middle - rather more taxing than Shap, I believe.

    [​IMG]

    Just sayin' ...

    Tom
     
    A1X, stuarttrains and Spamcan81 like this.

Share This Page