Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala 14th-17th September 2023

That of course assumes they intend to use it on full line trains rather than shorter services that often run at gala's.

 

What it "could" do and what it "will" do are two different things. Given the announcement of certain trains stopping at Eardington which has a short platform, I suspect we will see it in the same role as Welsh Guardsman last year.

 

Yeah I think I probably know that.

 

I mean it’s a 4 day gala. So chances are likely that there will be locos swapping diagrams, etc. I’d just encourage everyone to wait to see the timetable we have planned. I don’t think you’ll second guess it that’s for sure!

 

Fair points, I guess we'll have to see.
But anyway, 4 coach local set wouldn't be too bad, though a bit cramped.

 

Hi, does anyone know if it's possible to buy multi-day rovers on the website? I am able to see how to purchase individual tickets for different days but no option for multi-day ones on the website.

 

If you add the days you want to your basket, it should apply the multi day discount at the checkout.

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

Ta very much, all sorted now

 

Oops, correct!

 

In all my visits to the SVR I have seen very little 25 mph running. 7714 being the most likely to produce this speed.
Lots of slow plodding about, slacks and shut regulator coasting. Eardington Bank is not very long and not particularly steep.
As regards 401 I should think being prepared to listen to the owners rep would be good a tip.

 

The timetables are still based on line speed and linespeed in the majority of sections is 25.

Yes listening to the rep is always good, but it’s usually good to know it’s capabilities in advance for timetabling! Which luckily we do!

 

The big locos sometimes run like caged lions but I have had some very naughty speeds with more than one

 

During galas the timings are so slack with the extended waits at stations, I imagine most locos from an Austerity up could handle the services.

 

I believe that in simple terms an Austerity is usually regarded as equivalent to a 4F so their capabilities are very much under-estimated by many as they are normally regarded as a shunting locomotive rather than a train locomotive.

 

Maybe a bit bigger cage, but still a caged lion. I much prefer to see smaller locos on most heritage railways rather than "Posing Pacifics".

 

Clearly you have been very unlucky. I have had some cracking runs at both steam and diesel galas. Yes, there can be some hanging around at stations (single line, lots of trains), but point to point can produce some good running & of course the SVR routinely loads 7 or 8 coaches too - which means locos have to work, even up Eardington.
4079 was especially spirited this year and clearly enjoyed escaping the Didcot demo line. Many years ago the big pacifics were limited to 20 mph on the advice of the PW engineer, but then I had a couple of runs behind number 9 that clearly were a 'little' more than that, no such issues in recent years.
It all depends on the loco and crew on the day.

 

CVR (or more Batt Holden) haven't received any enquiry...

 

Well said James. I used to see 193 regularly on mark 1 sets on the SVR. I spoke to two drivers back in the day about the engine and they said it did the job.