Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala 21st-24th September 2017

SVR official fb reports that 926 Repton as the first visitor out of 4 (subject to completion of overhaul)
Also on the website: http://www.svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=100

 

Four on FB but "up to four" on the website

Patrick

 

Excellent, can't have too much Southern Railway heritage.

 

FB says two more visitors to be announced on Monday

 

And the person who runs the Facebook page doesn't think either have visited before. Must narrow it down a fair bit.

 

Y14 No. 564 announced as second visitor https://www.facebook.com/svrofficia...794101831633/1367618216649210/?type=3&theater

Clues for the third visitor:

• the smaller engine is an 0-6-0 tank.
• Four of the 0-6-0s have survived into preservation, but none have carried the currenty livery of the engine visiting us in September. https://www.facebook.com/svrofficial/posts/1367614529982912
• ...never graced our tracks before! https://www.facebook.com/svrofficial/posts/1367559033321795

Bluebell?

 

Yep, Bluebell https://www.facebook.com/events/1745376515674352/permalink/1882302561981746/?action_history=null

 

Yep 323 Bluebell confirmed.

Interesting choices as at least 50% of the visitors won't be going anywhere near a full rake, The J15 might manage 6 or so can't see Bluebell on more than 3 max, Might be a little "cosy" on those trains.

 

Doubleheader?

 

I suppose there is the potential of some unusual double headed combinations using 323 / 1450 / 7714 / 1501, but I'd agree that local services are likely to be the majority of 323's work. I'm looking forward to the Y14's visit ad I've not had the pleasure before. Will look lovely with the GNR composite.

 

When 65462 visited WSR in March 2004, after a couple of runs it was decided to limit it to 3 coaches.
The gradients may be steeper on WSR and the J15 may not have been in the best of health then, but would they risk it on load 6 out of Highley in the wet?

 

Keep it.

 

So the Spring Gala saw a 9F and a Bulleid Pacific, while Autumn brings Bluebell and a Y14. So much for the theory that Spring is the small engines / branch line gala and Autumn is the big engines gala.

Not complaining though.

 

Bullied please

 

Or even Bulleid if auto correct will allow it

 

Thought I'd educated auto correct not to change that

 

Booked my Travelodge for this. I have a great memory of the last time a Schools class visited, standing on a quiet Highley platform at dusk hearing Cheltenham pounding through the country park and appearing sparks flying into the platform. Also booked myself on to one of the driver experience tasters on the Thursday. Start a new work contract the following week that'll loose me every weekend till past Christmas so going all out on this one.

 

https://twitter.com/svrofficialsite/status/873131408239321088

The F&WHR twitter has liked that tweet, so it's probably a F&WHR loco. Prince?

 

Yes, confirmed as Prince.
http://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=790

 

Due to Swansea City being home on the Saturday I can't make that, and doubtful I will be able to make Friday because of work. So Sunday is the day I will be going to this more than likely.

The website has the roster for each day up and says for Sunday - 323 Bluebell, 564, 926 Repton, 1501/7714, 7812 Erlestoke Manor & 43106 are in action. Is that all? 6 locos. Is it going to be a very basic timetable if that is correct right? Usually there are 4 full line sets + the Limited on the Sunday, so I'd assume all bar 323 will be full line if that is the case. Also it says ridable goods, so maybe no locals at all/one full either side of the Limited? Not really a gala day, more a normal day with one local set out using gala guests.

I know Sunday's generally have less going on having been on a number of Sunday's before, but just 6 locos out is very quiet for a SVR gala even on the final day.


Locomotive roster:

• Thursday: 564, 926 Repton, 7812 Erlestoke Manor & 43106.
• Friday: 323 Bluebell, 564, 813, 926 Repton, 1450, 1501, 7714, 7812 Erlestoke Manor, 7802 Bradley Manor & 43106. Overnight services 34027 Taw Valley & 34053 Sir Keith Park.
• Saturday: 323 Bluebell, 564, 813, 926 Repton, 1450, 1501, 7714, 7812 Erlestoke Manor, 7802 Bradley Manor & 43106. Overnight services 34027 Taw Valley & 34053 Sir Keith Park.
• Sunday: 323 Bluebell, 564, 926 Repton, 1501/7714, 7812 Erlestoke Manor & 43106.