Severn Valley Railway Autumn Gala: 15 - 18/09/22

I had a great day out but feeling it now after a 240 mile round trip by car. The highlight for me was the industrial loco Jessie hauling the immaculate 2 coach GWR set. The crew certainly gave the loco it's legs and that whistle - what a sound!

 

A great day out today, and it certainly didn't seem much quieter than previous galas. Weather was absolutely perfect for it.

Most trains were generally well loaded but not packed, though a couple were full with standees, particularly those in mid-afternoon with 9351 and No 70.

Jessie was definitely a standout, storming along nicely!

I'm really glad that even in these constrained times, the SVR feels it is still possible to put on such a big event. I hope it has proved financially worthwhile for them.

 

Went to the SVR Steam Gala yesterday Saturday 17th September 2022
Stayed at Kidderminster for about 4 hours (apologies for photo quality as nearly all the photos taken directly into the low sun)
76069 (standing in for 4930 Hagley Hall) prepares to leave with 43106 on goods in the siding as 70 Elizabeth II arrives at Kidderminster from Bridgnorth 17th September 2022
https://tinyurl.com/r95kyhzc

Neil

 

Despite being rubbished as "an industrial loco" the Austerities are rated about 4MT - i.e. as powerful as 43106 - but they are built for haulage not speed hence their ability to operate on passenger duties. A sample of my experiences of Saturday in the Sun .

 

IIRC the Austerities were based on the Hunslet 16" so its not unfair to consider them as part of the Austerity family surely ?

 

Well having not been to the S&C or the Photography Show yesterday I did manage a few shots on the valley.

45231 almost managing to avoid the creeping shadows on the delayed 17:20 out of Bridgnorth and 9351 by the Safari Park.

 

Thoroughly enjoyed both days at the SVR, first time back in several years for obvious and less obvious reasons and was great to see them still putting on a show. A few photos below, more at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/Severn-Valley-Railway/Autumn-Steam-Gala-September-2022

 

It seemed a fairly low key gala for the two days I went with numbers looking down and the lineside noticeably quieter despite the lovely conditions, I'm sure there could be various reasons for this and I look forward to hearing from the SVR marketing team on why it wasn't quite the premier event it usually is. It was nice to catch up with a few people on the lineside and the buffets.

Anyway a selection of images from the ground and above ...


Birmingham excursion heading home ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


The Golden Five ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


The idyllic Severn Valley ... by Phoenix Images, on Flickr


The local goods at Borle viaduct by Phoenix Images, on Flickr#


Mogul 9351 at Sandy Lane by Phoenix Images, on Flickr


The idyllic Severn valley circa 1961 ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


Branch Line local Western region style by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


Sunset Five at Sandy Lane by Phoenix Images, on Flickr


Last light at Sandy Lane by Phoenix Images, on Flickr

 

Two great days at the lineside which was backed up with an enjoyable day and night on the trains !

 

I can understand why it’s not been the usual winner. They normally have one crowd puller as a guest engine, none this year, just a Black 5 and a vandalised Prairie tank. I didn’t go but from what I’ve seen in pictures there was little attempt to keep appropriate engines and stock together, the Pig on a set of GW wagons is a case in point.

 

To be fair John way back in 2016 I’d hardly say 34027/53 and 46100 on a rake of GW Chocolate and Cream stock was appropriate stock.
Much as I’m not happy with various things between those 16 miles that span Worcestershire and Shropshire, I don’t think this the strongest of sticks to beat those in charge with.

 

I would have though that the Birmingham area would have seen much inter-working with local 43xxx moguls working GW-labelled wagons on inter-regional transfers between Washwood Heath and Bordesley; I'm sure the use of Class 52s on inter-regional freights in the 1960s was a simple traction change rather than a new order.

Are you also saying that the Teak sets shouldn't be used if there is no ex-LNER loco available ? As someone who remembers them on ECML services north of Edinburgh in the 1960s I'm happy to photograph them on services irrespective of motive power - even nice to see a Pannier on the Royal Scot set !

 

Timetabling won't allow it all the time but they did try, even to the extent of putting a Southern liveried Schools on the Gresley set ( Sheffield to Margate through train) and the Bulleid on the same set with S&D headcode, in b/w that could have been the Exmouth - Cleethorpes.

 

Not in BR livery they didn't. It's not a great issue but they did try and keep it realistic when the roster allowed it. It's just that this Gala seemed to be a half hearted event compared with what's gone before. I don't get any information from the Valley now so I don't know what the current management thinking is but it may be that they want to run down these sort of enthusiast based events.

 

Sorry John but I think your just clutching at straws a little here.

 

Having been around all four days (3 working, riding today), it hasn't been packed by any means, but not the washout that some seem to be suggesting. It's a difficult climate at the moment.
Now that said, a star attraction would have been good to draw in the crowds. The actual line up may give interesting runs on the day but it's not really enough to draw people in. The lack of all night running also has put people off and probably meant other didn't stay out late on the evening trains.

 

The timetable was planned with four through services (Maroon and Carmine and Cream Mark Is, LNER and GW sets) with locomotives changing (slipping) at Bridgnorth, so locos and stock wouldn't have been kept together.

 

They never are I appreciate that but some effort used to be made to keep appropriate combinations. That really is a small aside, the main point is that there was no star of the show and no night running. I used to spend one or two days photographing and getting some rest riding the night trains.

 

All night running has staffing consequences that affects staff availability hence - presumably - the decision to provide a service with available staff rather than provide a service and try to find staff to support it. - remembering many staff are volunteers with other calls on their time.