GWSR Cotswold festival of steam 26-28 May 2018

https://www.diy.com/search?Ntt=Ear+Defenders+&+Plugs#icamp=category

Problem solved.

James

 

You do not want to see GWR 9007. It has been standing outside at Carnforth since the GWR 175, windows smashed.

 

Do you really think that drivers should be concerned about anoraks videoing when they have to use the loco whistle for safety/operational reasons?

 

No, but they have whistled quite close a few times, but that was probably because I was filming at a Public Crossing/Bridge where A) they whistle at for safety/operational reasons or B) the location might have had a whistle sign close by.
I do film at public view points after all, and they usually whistle at most of them when approaching.

 

cant believe what I am reading in your posts most people filming love the whistle in their shots.if your of such a nervous disposition maybe you should try filming from hillsides or wear ear defenders!

 

Loco crews rarely whistle when they don't have to, but especially at galas with photographers littering the lineside they have to whistle to acknowledge them, and photographers acknowledge back. Add this in to all the foot crossings, SW boards and other places where it's required, it's pretty inevitable that if you're near the track, you're going to get whistled at. If it unsettles you there are plenty of great photographic spots that don't require you to be standing right next to the track.

 

I know, dreadful shame. If I ever win the lottery it'll be coming back to the GWSR!

 

No need to get like that with me. I DO like the whistle in my shots, and I'm of no nervous disposition. I only mentioned 5197's whistle being louder in volume than the others..

 

I film at various locations, with shots at Kayte Lane, Southam Lane, Bishops Cleeve and Laverton being at foot crossings.
It doesn't really unsettle me, as long as the whistle isn't blown as its literally right in front of me. It isn't so bad when its locos like 6023 and 6430, but in the case of 5197, it wouldn't end well.. Just pointing that out.

 

Unless said photographer is line side of course, in which case they may provoke a whistle!

As has been said, railway's will have defined situations in which to sound the whistle, one of which is to sound a warning to alert people nearby of the presence of a train. I'm not sure whether "whistling quietly" is especially easy, nor necessarily a sound idea when the purpose of the whistle is as a warning!

Tom

 

I've got a pair of these, I use them when the likes of James, Kristian and Will start talking to me !

 

The answer is to use a tripod for your camera, indeed one might even go as far as to say that for video a tripod is essential.
With the camera firmly mounted on a tripod it won't matter how high you jump when the loco whistles.

 

It does rather defeat the whole point of using the whistle.

 

This is one case where having a mainline connection helps. Cheaper to bring in a train of carriages than individual vehicles by road. The SVR just hired an air braked set for their diesel gala brought in by rail, doubt this would have been viable otherwise.

Where the costs may add up is getting previously unregistered vehicles certified for movement by rail, although I don't think this is insurmountable - Didcot need to do this to move stock in and out. Neither is there a ban on moving heritage coaches by rail, they just need to be in decent condition and running gear non-destuctively tested. Swanage now have a mainline certified rake. It has been commented that some of the SVR's coaches are in far better condition than visiting mainline examples have been!

The NYMR were rumoured to have been interested in hiring the SVR's teak rake a few years back for a Gresley event and this would have been moved by rail at 40mph. For reasons I don't recall this never happened.

I am sure others will have more knowledge than me!

 

I'm not convinced that moving a train of 1930s wooden bodied stock that hasn't seen mainline use since at least the 1980s would be anywhere near as easy as moving a train of much more modern metal bodied stock though. I'd have thought the cost of testing all those wheelsets alone would be prohibitive, let alone anything else.

As a point of interest, I picked up a Cotswold tourist magazine the other day. I noted that Cheltenham, Winchcombe and Broadway were all mentioned. Honeybourne or its station wasn't even on their foldout map, which suggests we've covered the local area tourist market as comprehensively as we can given what empty trackbed there is.

 

Most things are possible. At least twelve Bluebell carriages, ranging from 80 - 140 years old, have been moved by rail, including right through London, within the last few years: the majority were on original underframes. A non mainline-registered loco has gone the same way as well, in steam

Whether it is financially and logistically viable for a gala is an entirely different question! Apart from the money, a big issue would be the internal capacity to carry out the necessary testing of axles, wheels and draw gear, and whether that level of disruption to routine maintenance was tenable for the people loaning the carriage. Plus of course the impact that depleting a fleet has, if only for a week or so, on the loaning railway.

Tom

 

Exactly, I'm absolutely certain it would be possible, but doubtful whether it would be economical.

 

Thanks for that - do we know why they went by road rather than rail?

It isn't usually rules or regulations that prevent these things, but cost. Gala budgets aren't huge and break even is usually marginal. The simple fact is an unusual locomotive is more of a draw than the carriages they pull - however if a railway wishes to prove me wrong..

 

The NYMR example was an event funded by the Lottery, otherwise it couldn't have happened! I understood there were some concerns at the owners end about a rail movement, hence the road movement instead.

Steven