Swanage Railway 'Strictly Bulleid' Gala, 31 March - 2 April 2017

Already booked a stand at the Swanage Autumn gala. ;-)


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Interesting. Prior to Strictly Bulleid we'd been told "sorry but sales stands for non Swanage groups." Was a few years ago mind so good to see a change of policy.

 

How odd, we asked the chap who does the stand bookings to put us down for the autumn gala and he said "ok, will do".

Maybe they just don't like you ;-)


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I think you misunderstand me slightly. It was some years ago we attended a Swanage Gala with our stall and made most welcome but when we went to book the following year we were told "no outside organisations." So obviously a change in policy in the intervening period which has changed back again since. Welcome news.

 

The adult tickets were £30 per day! Fantastic result for those that put the effort in, and despite having 2x of the hardest shunting turns ever over the weekend I've come away having enjoyed myself overall (also had 4x days firing 34070 mind). One last photo that hasn't appeared on here though, on Monday morning a little shunt occurred that saw all 5x Bulleids positioned together before they returned home. Hopefully this event has shown people what Swanage can offer, and look forward to what is organised for October.

 

The numbers also include all the walkers who paid a different rate to the enthusiasts enjoying the gala. On the Sunday especially a good chunk of the passenger count was walkers and cyclists going to corfe castle.


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Whatever is lined up in October, it's going to be hard to beat this fantastic weekend. Everything was just right - even the weather. It would have to be something pretty amazing to rival it. Definitely so far this has been the gala of the year.

Mind you, I did make a suggestion in an earlier post.....

 

Could do a six bulleid gala with 34072, is 34071 around or scrapped?

 

34071 601 Squadron was withdrawn on 30th April 1967, I believe, and was scrapped by Cashmores in Newport a few months later.

 

This was one of those "every 10 year" events, everything just came together perfectly with the End of BR(S) Steam, record breaking number of Bulleids, the weather etc. To try and use this as the benchmark would be foolish, but I'm sure the SR management are aware of this. Maybe try another "mega" gala in a few years, but like the SSS events giving it a break will maintain interest and allow those at the sharp end a rest.

As for October, 34072 is expected back for the summer / 30053 + 34070 will more than likely be operating their last galas before withdrawal. The N whilst there was optimism it maybe ready, as the boiler is still yet to return to Dorset I feel 2017 may just be that too early for her. We'll see, I'd be happy to be proved wrong!

 

This is the Ivatt on the ESR plus the fastback restoration of the T3

 

Swanage have a pretty good line-up at the moment. If everything's in steam, they could make the October gala a "Home fleet" event: 34072 will be "new", last chance to see 30053 & 34070, "80140" recalling the last steam on the branch, 31806 just being its perfectly proportioned self... and maybe the gorgeous T3 to drool over? Save the N for next year - don't use up all your star attractions in one go!

 

Should this thread (and the one about the ELR Spring Gala) now be unpinned, as both have now happened?

 

To the best of my knowledge 30053s boiler ticket has already run out, so she won't be working at the October Gala.

 

34081 stands at Corfe on 31st March, with the castle on its hill in the background.

 

34053 at Swanage with the freight on 31st March.

 

Extended to near year-end I believe.

 

The M7 was running yesterday.

 

Ah, thank you for this information. I wasn't aware of that.