SVR Spring Gala 16th - 18th March 2018

3 visitors already announced so far:
B12 8572 from the NNR
Bellerophon from Foxfield
60163

The SVR website suggests another visiting loco is expected.
http://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=811

 

Nothing against 60163 making another visit, but it's making something like its 3rd or 4th visit inside 18 months? Don't get me wrong I love Tornado and it's great the SVR and the A1 trust clearly get on so well, but it just seems a bit of an easy option. (Fingers crossed the P2 shows up to do some running in) I do appreciate it's not easy to keep pulling rabbits out the hat and trying to get something different twice a year must test the events committee, but wouldn't it be nice(!) if something like a B1 or something from Sheffield Park in SECR livery showed up at Bridgnorth. Again I do appreciate how difficult it is to organise these events, advertise what loco's are coming, etc etc. I will say Bellerophen is a decent choice as visiting engine though, that's certainly something a bit left field.

 

Honestly dunno why they've gone for Tornado, boring loco.

 

Some left field choices to bring in the hard core element, some mainstream choices to bring in the numbers. Seems sensible to me. And I can only think of the FS / Tornado weekend as a recent visit - what others have there been?

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Genuinely have no understanding of why anyone would think that Tornado is boring.

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Go on you tell us why 60163 is boring?

 

As I say Tornado did 'Pacific power' last year, as well as the 'small engines' event , the year before that (2015) the SVR had an improtu 'big engines' week for half term featuring 46100 and 60163. As well as visits in 2009 and 2011. I have no ruck with 60163 or it's owners, I just think it's the 'safe ball' I do appreciate it's difficult to get something each year that's a little bit different, personally I think it be rather nice if 60009 made an appearance .

 

To me, it falls into the problem that all large locos have: they are too big for heritage railway use so never seem to be working that much at 25 mph. Partly why I like choice of the B12 and last week's ASG for having smaller locos.

 

I quite agree. But given the cost involved in travelling on a mainline charter the option of seeing these engines up close on a heritage railway is very beneficial.

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Oh definitely, the cost of most mainline charters is way above my budget.

As for this event, I'd be looking for something medium to small, with the exception of 60009 considering it could be its last working visit.

 

It's a loco capable of doing 100mph with 12 coaches behind it. Instead it will be pottering about hardly making a noise. Also, as mentioned, has been to the SVR various times especially in Apple Green.

 

I'm not a fan of bigger locos either, I find smaller locos more fun, however, I suspect the choice of Tornado may have something to do with the B12 and I think all will be fine clear when the 4th guest is announced.

 

61264 for the 4th then it would make sense! I have to agree though that I was surprised to see Tornado again at the valley. No criticism to the loco but as many people have said online etc they were hoping that the big green engine would have been no9.

I always think it's a shame that a lot of the big loco groups don't send their loco to heritage lines that often. It makes a member of a group unable to even view the loco for a reasonable price and could diminished the supporters into choosing another group. The A1 do very well in keeping tjings mixed up

 

I like Tornado and have no problems with seeing it again. My health means travelling long distances to see it at speed on the main line is rarely possible, so 25 mph is a lot better than nothing! Yes, given a straight choice between Tornado and 60009 it wouldn't be a hard decision - but Number 9 hasn't been back to the SVR since ceasing to be a resident over a decade ago and it just doesn't look like it's going to happen now. It is sad, but I'm still not going to be thinking of Tornado as a 9-shaped hole!

I wouldn't at all mind 61264 for the last visitor, but again I'll enjoy whatever turns up, big, medium or small. Even if it's something that's been here in the last few years as with Tornado, there are still plenty of visitors for whom it'll be the first time they'll have seen it at all. There is a Small Engines Gala at the SVR next autumn after all, so having a larger loco or two around the place in the spring may also make sense from that perspective.

 

J27 fresh from overhaul?

Chris

 

Tornado has made use of the SVR for routine maintenance in the past, could this explain another return visit? No issue for me, it is railway preservation's greatest achievement and a fabulous machine.
Oh, please accept another vote for the 4th visitor being a B1, has one ever visited the SVR?

 

There's a railtour from Birmingham using Tornado the following week (I think) which I'm sure is a contributing factor.

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