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

While I agree with the sentiment of trying to "recreate the past" on a gala, I don't personally take issue with bringing in something a bit different for these things, especially when there is no set theme, as was the case this year. You mention the volunteers views on what they want to see, but I'm sure there would also be a fair chunk of them who don't mind seeing something a bit different for one or two weekends a year, especially the loco crews who will likely relish the challenge of an industrial compared to what they do on what are mostly Western machines.

And yes, those who attended just because an industrial turned up is likely to be a small minority, but it's still money coming in to the railway, and who are we to refuse some money just because a loco that turned up didn't fit in with its surroundings?

 

I didn't go to the gala, purely because "the industrial" wasn't working enough. If it had been on full line trips with 7714 I'd have definitely made the effort. In terms of fitting in, almost nothing of the SVR today is reminiscent of the SVR of the past. 8 coach trains passing at Arley and Hampton Loade are completely inappropriate for the line so it doesn't really matter what is on the front or what the stock is. Just enjoy it for what it is, a railway theme park that allows us to escape normal life for a bit!

 

Interesting. Given the choice of experiencing the industrial working solo up Eardington Bank or being assisted everywhere by a pannier, I'd opt for the former every time.

 

And yet, when SVR brings in a small, usually un-named locomotive its not unheard of it upstaging the big name. 828 completely showed up Tornado, Jessie and 9351 got more praise here than the Purple PR Machine. And lets not start on greeting about the past or almost nothing on fleet would ever be allowed on the line with such dogmatic concepts. Its a gala not an inch perfect preservation of the past. SVR acquired a lot of locomotives from various sources early on. One of the earliest was Warwickshire which is under overhaul and I'm sure will prove popular on these shuttles.

 

I was at the gala for 3 full days Th. Fr. Sa.

2 comments from the above posts.

[1] the 060 industrial - does it have the total water capacity to run the whole line ? or coal ? or bearings lubrication without running hot ? and so on ?

[2] the goods train; while this may entertain a few lineside photters, in view of the ongoing coal crisis I do question whether they should have done this at all; I reckon by rejuggling the loco diagrams that were involved with the 'good's and the 'local's they could have used one loco less each day. I am not saying they were using too many locos per se, but were probably unecessarily using more locos than needed when coal needs to be rationed (for want of another word).

One loco-equivalent burning coal needlessly for 4 days of a gala = 4 single days of normal running - and that is the difference between having one not two steam locos in use on 4 off peak days or 2 whole weekends. (Or no steam loco instead of one for 4 days).

 

I've had it working solo at Blaenavon with load 4 so Eardington bank doesn't really cut it!

 

Enjoyed it at Blaenavon myself. Still nice hearing it work up Eardington Bank though.

 

Seeing Jessie come bouncing through eardington station on Sunday with bubbles coming from the brake van was definitely the highlight for me and the kids and most of the people on the platform. Wrong loco for the line wrong coaches for the loco but does it actually matter? It’s all about fun/memories

 

I don't think goods trains are just for the benefit of lineside photographers, no doubt most people attending like to see it, I'm sure the volunteers enjoy the opportunity to have a goods turn as something different, and of course those who have worked hard to restore the wagons and brakevans in use.

 

I recall a recent convo about appropriate locos over on a NYMR thread that would effectively leave NYMR with the NELPG locos and not a whole lot else if it was taken seriously. If it was a "branchline gala" or a nostalgia fest then I'd understand but this is just termed a Steam Gala and is known for having a mixed line up. I agree Pete it was a great idea to bring it in, it sounded like a right fun locomotive even if it was a bit of a lively ride, allegedly.

 

Whatever, that entirely misses my point about is it really a good use of allegedly scarce locomotive coal ?

 

One cold also add 813 or even 1501 which was rescued from an industrial concern - namely the NCB - when its original GWR service was Paddington - Old Common ecs moves and IIRC never worked a passenger service at any time.

 

Very true.

 

I visited the gala on Sunday. The main attraction for me was to catch Taw Valley while it was still in its special mauve livery.

Next year, I imagine that we may see a number of Coronation-themed galas or other events. Garter Blue A4s may be much in demand.

 

Although that sounds a wonderful idea, I somehow don't think that is going to happen.
The railways didn't really hold royal themed galas for QEII's 70th anniversary, so I don't think think it's going to be any different for KCIII.

 

Macko, well, it really is just people's personal opinion, most people may not have turned up for Jessie, but few might have done or just seen the shuttle as "another attraction" and rode it anyway.

At the end of the day, if it makes the railway money then authenticity shouldn't be a problem, I would say something wacky does add the "holy moly!" factor to any event.

While I say calling 70 a "purple pr stunt" is a bit misplaced, but everyone has their own opinion, I do agree that sometimes these events just don't need ma-hoo-sive names to attract people because most of the time when that happen, they only turn up for said celebrity and not bother with the other aspects of said event, which does make me quite angry.

The railway is doing so much to keep the enthusiast enthralled, yet, (let's use 6233 for example) all people will be interested in is that and everything else is just, "in the way".

 

IIRC the Goods Train on some lines allows - for an extra charge - the opportunity to travel in the brake van(s) that are included in the consist - hence another income generator. But also the running of a freight train - especially if unbraked - provide drivers with an opportunity to practice a different set of driving skills.