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SVR Autumn Steam Gala 16th-19th September

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Kje7812, Aug 10, 2021.

  1. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    At least 2 guests expected (I gather we should be hearing about one very shortly)
    Home fleet expected to be 813, 1501, 7714, 34027, 75069 and either 2857 or 43106 on the overnight service.
    Similar format to the Spring...
    https://www.svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=184
     
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  2. 3ABescot

    3ABescot Member

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    Thanks. I've rung them to check on what we get for our booking on the daytime trains. I understand:
    1. The minor stations will be closed.
    2. We get 3. return trips, and can skip one at the Kidderminster and Bridgnorth if we wishfor more time there
    3. We have about 40 minutes at each end of the line during which we can get on and off and use the facilities at Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.
    4. Each booking provides for us to alight at Highley where we can use the Engine House if we wish, and get refreshments there.
    Please note, my understanding of what I was told!
     
  3. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    Other railways have been running galas with reduced restrictions, not sure why the SVR isn't. I'm sure they could just limit the number of tickets sold like the Mid Hants for example.
     
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  4. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    More or less, Trains will stop at Arley and Hampton Loade for crossing purposes (Up and Down respectively). If you want to stretch you legs or take a photo, that's fine.
     
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  5. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    Management are being very cautious about easing things. We'll see how that works out...
     
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  6. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    Last edited: Aug 11, 2021
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  7. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

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    It's a real shame that after two weekends at the Bluebell where things have basically been back to normal that the SVR aren't going down a similar route, but hey ho. Maybe next year.
     
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  8. AMP

    AMP Member

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    And that is why no one can win at the moment.

    From my perspective the reason I didn't do those two weekends at the Bluebell was because it was back to how it was.

    I prefer not having to fight for a seat on a train, I like being able to get off at one end of the line and use the facilities without needing to worry about not being able to get back on.

    I applaud the SVR for their stance and long may it continue.

    Andrew
     
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  9. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    There's no reason why they can't mix and match. Keep the full line timetable, but have a couple of coaches reserved for people who want to do several full line trips.

    The timetable seems to work well, with a minimum amount of festering at intermediate stations compared to the usual gala timetables. It's the ticketing that puts me off.
     
  10. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    No I do not think you can do mix and match. How to you keep those that only one one group of people near them all day (maybe with a higher percentage of mask wearers) away from the "get on anywhere sit anywhere folks"? I do not believe that if seats are empty and the other coaches are full a sort of reserved for Mr X would be observed by many. You have to plump for one system and go with it.
    It does just reflect the many interpretations both by companies and individuals across all of life of what is acceptable at the moment.
     
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  11. theonlyadsrulz

    theonlyadsrulz Member

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    I understand where you're coming from, but I expect the days of this kind of ticketing are numbered.

    End of the day, it's a numbers game. If any railway can guarantee to sell x number of tickets to cover their costs plus a little bit extra on top, then as long as they get the right loco in or whatever, the current system works, but think of how much extra they could get if it wasn't limited. You're always going to have those people who will want to be able to get on and off where they want, when they want, without being bound by a set time to do it. I also don't like to fight for a seat, but I would place myself firmly in the camp of being able to do what I like.

    As someone who does a lot of videoing, and doesn't drive, it gives me more options on where I can go to get shots. The current system, especially on a line like the SVR, more or less kills that off unless I know someone with a car who doesn't mind me tagging along. And that is what I did at the Spring event, went around by car to locations as the train simply wasn't an option. I did donate the price of a ticket so that I didn't deprive someone who did want one, and the railway still got their money.

    Each to their own. You can only please some of the people some of the time, never all of the people all of the time.
     
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  12. Robin

    Robin Well-Known Member Friend

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    For anyone with deep pockets (£195)

    NEW FOR 2021, enjoy the ultimate Autumn Steam Gala experience with our VIP package! Join the heritage goods train and travel in the brake van over the whole length of the line, twice, hauled by two different locomotives (32 miles). Including one trip in darkness! Ride behind two different locomotives in reserved seats. Guided behind the scenes tours of Kidderminster Carriage Works, Bridgnorth Signalbox and Bridgnorth Locomotive Works. Enjoy a full English breakfast, two course lunch and two course dinner on the Railway, prepared by our Executive Head Chef. Complimentary Autumn Steam Gala souvenir guide and other mementos. Plenty of photo opportunities. Start time: 7.45am. End time: 8.45pm.

    https://svr.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/35665?catID=34976
     
  13. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Would they get extra though? Pre Covid gala ticket prices were much lower, especially with a 3 or 4 day rover (although in the present format I cannot see many wanting to stay for the duration). Also, there is a whole new revenue theme by charging separately for overnight services which also offsets the lower capacity.

    What would be interesting would be a comparison of the pre vs post Covid gala fare revenue.
     
  14. theonlyadsrulz

    theonlyadsrulz Member

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    A fair point. Though I personally still think the format will come to an end sooner rather than later. But yes, I would also quite like to see a comparison of pre vs post Covid, and given the announced guest, 2018 vs 2021 in particular!
     
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  15. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    I hope so too. My concern is the powers that be think the excursion format is the way forward regardless of Covid. While during the restrictions it was a good format to use, I don’t think it’s the same case now they are lifted, especially when other railways are returning to their old styles of operation.
     
  16. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Still, it makes a change from posts about having to pay for the WTT! :D I'd probably have gone to the gala if they had gone back to normal operations regardless of which guests they had, or even without any. But the excursion method just doesn't do it for me.
     
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  17. theonlyadsrulz

    theonlyadsrulz Member

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    I think there is potentially a place for the excursion journey on normal running days, perhaps alongside traditional day rovers, though quite how this would work I'm not sure. But certainly as a marketing tool, it has its benefits.
     
  18. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    In addition to rovers possibly, replacement of rovers, I don’t think so long long term. I can see how the model could be marketed and at what price point, but, I personally don’t think it is the way forwards in the longer term.
     
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  19. Platform 3

    Platform 3 Member

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    Whereas for me, this model makes it far more likely that I, and my family, will visit this year. The Spring gala was my favourite SVR event in years, simply because we had a compartment to ourselves all day with no stress about finding a seat and plenty of space to stretch out. I am more than happy to pay extra for the privilege, and I would rather have one experience like that than go to three or four galas where I have to stand half the time and deal with unreliable panicky connections to travel behind all the locomotives that I came for.

    Sent from my SM-G770F using Tapatalk
     
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  20. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    On Saturday at the Bluebell I did not have any trouble getting a seat, and even had a whole first class compartment to myself on one trip.

    I can understand the Severn Valley keeping the same format as the Spring Gala, since on longer lines and on the Severn Valley in particular, I have usually found Gala's s much busier earlier in the day than on shorter lines. Even if the ticket number were limited you could have a significant proportation of the ticket holders turn up for the first two train from Kidderminster and make it uncomfortably busy for some people.
     
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