NNR Spring Gala 5th-7th April

It just seems to be the last few years, they can't seem to go a full year without one of the gala's having some sort of issue. Be that a last minuite guest change or a guest not arriving or guests failing during the gala.

When all goes well, an NNR gala can be exceptional. Lot's of action and plenty to see and do. They just seem jinxed at the moment which is a real shame.

I just hope too many people aren't put off by the Caley not running and still go today.

 

That's the frustrating thing about the NNR galas, it is usually down to bad luck or external conditions beyond their control which upset the events, but the public don't always see it the same way.

The run of bad luck seems to have started with the 2013 Standards Gala.

 

Such a shame the circumstances of this gala. Being involved in trying to find replacement engines did involve speaking to most, if not all, railways we have contacts with. We were offered an another engine, but decided with the costs of moving the engine and the very late notice, it wouldn’t of worked. We also had another tank engine lined up, but the move could not be facilitated.

419 looked great and the runs it did seemed to go well with the public, just such a shame that it’s veen withdrawn. I had a great morning on 76084 on Saturday and had quite a few visitors up on the footplate which was nice.

Our autumn gala planning is in full swing, hopefully have some news shortly.

 

Is there any scope for 419 to be used on an ordinary service after the gala? With suitably quick advertising via social media and forums such as this there may be scope for generating some additional revenue.

 

I was up there this morning. Weather was shocking but as always the staff were great, the breakfast superb and the stock and locos interesting. I also managed to wangle a shed tour in return for a donation, so I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I forgot to take gloves and suffer from mild Reynauld's phenomenon so numb fingers meant I beat a retreat after 3 hours or so but I was happy with my day out.

 

The engine didn’t run today (unsure of the exact reason as getting mixed reports) but as far as I recall, it’s due back in Bo’ness this week. So I highly doubt it, which is a massive shame, as it can’t of done more than 4 round trips in the two days it ran

 

So the Sunday went smoothly?

 

Was an enjoyable day but time dropped 15-20mins quite early on and the middle of the day goods was cancelled with the B12...

 

The mood on Saturday afternoon seemed to be resigned tolerance that these things happen. If I were to pass comment, I think there are two things that could be thought about for future. The first is to make communication with the public more proactive - I got very good information when I asked, but it was generally only when I asked.

The second was the intensity of the schedule and diagramming. I was surprised given the delays on Saturday to see the goods turn happen as booked, but then realised the diagramming was so tight that cancelling it would have caused knock on issues with the diagrams due to the way they were structured.

 

The do run a very intensive timetable at galas and that does mean that delays mount up. On the other hand it also makes it great fun. Sunday's difficulties were because visibility was so poor at Holt that a lot of caution had to to be exercised. When the footbridge goes in at Holt then the benefits of that intensive timetable will unfold fully

 

I enjoyed a return trip from Holt to Sheringham on Saturday despite the visiting blue beauty not running as intended. I was impressed at the amount of trains/locos running on a relatively short line with only the three stations although probably high risk to spoiling the timetable if everything does go like clockwork.

 

The intensive timetable is a hallmark of an NNR Gala. It's really suprising how much action you get from a short 3 station line. It can rival the GCR for the amount of train movements you see at times and that's saying something with the latter's double track.

Just getting news of delays and chnges of plan out to all the staff must be a real headache for every preserved railway. I was on the Caley's Sat afternoon run when it failed, as soon as the Guard knew what was happening he came down the train telling everyone. He did this mutiple times as the situation changed.

 

Sorry to read of the Caley tanks troubles. Never been to NNR...must put it on the bucket list!

 

My shots from the gala during the Saturday as well as some from Sunday and Monday's normal running

 

Beautifully shot and edited...thanks for sharing with us

 

Kelling Bank is so much fun

 

Looks like I was lucky to catch 419 running on the Friday. I should say I had a very good day at the railway despite the problems, the home fleet alone is attraction enough for me to drive 3 hours to get there!

 

Agree that the NNR galas are quite intense and it does sometimes feel nearly as busy as the GCR. No doubt Weybourne being nearly equidistant from Sheringham and Holt enables tight scheduling for trains to cross there. Having the extra siding at Holt and Sheringham where the next loco can sit ready and waiting to jump onto the rear of the just arrived train without having to have a loco swap ends is also a factor in the quick turnarounds. That was bad luck to have a fire this early in the season. Shame about the visitor coming all that way and then having troubles. Problems at this gala, as others have said, do seem to happen unexpectedly. Sadly I couldnt go this time as I am recoveeing from surgery, but I am very much looking forward to my three days at the Autumn gala. Lets hope it doesnt get postponed again this year due to drought.

 

My gallery from the atmospheric weekend can be found here... http://preservedrailway.weebly.com/north-norf…