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

I'd say it was 7 locos with 1501/7714 double heading, so only 3 less than the two previous day (and I don't know when the over night engines finish up so if you came early maybe a chance to see them?). I think the list might not be complete, as the taster footplate courses pretty much always use a smaller tank loco on Thursday but none is mentioned in the roster.

EDIT: I think I am being watched... 7714 has been added to the Thursday line up.

 

2857 not playing in this gala? I might of missed it if it is so I apologise just never seems to get much of a part in the galas

 

Maybe spare.

 

Intended to be withdrawn for scheduled valve and piston work at the end of the summer season.

 

Thanks for the info hopefully it will get to do some galas next year to celebrate its big birthday

 

Thanks for the kind wishes. Those are certainly our intentions, but as is the popular Nat pres phrase... "more waiting is required!"

 

Thread drift (wouldn't be NP without some!) is 2857 the oldest mainline loco in the SVR's fleet? Or is it 813?

 

813 is older by some 17 years (1901 vs 1918). Looks pretty good on it though.

 

One of Mrs D6968 and I's first dates, was on 71000 and 60007 on the evening dining train that Saturday evening. I was reminded of the quote by Eddie Irvine who once said ' even when your having dinner with the most beautiful girl in the world, the one on the next table looks even hotter' I know exactly what he meant, that evening pulling into Bewdley with 60007 just as we were going into our starter, we passed Brit 13 going to Kiddy, really had to stop myself from diving from behind the table, leaving my Soup and going back to the town of Carpets!

 

Even if they are double heading, it's still only one loco turn really.

Looking at the SSG from last year - a lesser event really - the Sunday still had 8 locos out, with all bar one KR-AY return auto all the locals were done by 1406 and 6412 was double heading all day. But still that's one extra loco compared to the usually busier ASG.

 

That's not really filling me with confidence, that gala was just 5 full line sets crossing at BH, HL, AY & BY with a KR-BY shuttle. It was a good event, but with the locals promised to be 'to-ing' and 'fro-ing' at this event I am doubtful if that applies to Sunday with just 6 loco turns.

 

Dunno about 6 locos/turns being more than other railways (of a similar size).

Considering the Sunday Saver is now just 90p cheaper than Friday or Saturday's rover, there should be a similar number of locos out.

 

To compare the other lines and recent galas I've attended...

Bluebell Branch Line (May 2017) - 7 locomotives (albeit 592 failed)
MHR Spring gala (February 2017) - 5 locomotives (no visitor sourced)
GCR Winter gala (January 2017) - 7 locomotives
Bluebell Giants (October 2016) - 7 locomotives (incl. SP pilot)
MHR Autumn gala - 6 locomotives (+1 failed)
GCR Autumn gala (October 2017) - 9 locomotives

Admittedly most of those lines don't "wind down" on the Sunday compared to the other days, and don't run all night etc., but the point stands that 6 is not necessarily "more than other railways can offer at their galas".

 

None of those railways are anywhere near the SVR's length either.

 

There are actually a minimum of nine different locos in use on Sunday if you include the two Bulleids that will be running in the early part of the day. The working timetable and loco rosters for the event have not yet been finalised, so why not wait and see what happens.

The reality for the SVR is that, for whatever reason, Sunday has become a much quieter day passenger-wise than it used to be, so perhaps the commercial department have tailored things accordingly. At Gala events the Friday is now as busy as the Saturday, with ever-increasing numbers attending on the preview day. I am sure that with twelve locos out on the Friday and Saturday the event will not disappoint those that attend.

 

Yeah I will wait and see of course. Just seems like it will be four full line sets, the Limited and 323 on a local set with a goods run thrown in somewhere.

 

My operational knowledge is low, but just a thought. With the speed restrictions and increased sectional times associated with the remedial work at County Boundary, 2017 might be the year for more conservative gala timetabling to maintain punctuality.

Patrick