Severn Valley Railway winter steam gala January 2024

A few clips from the Winter Steam Gala, taken on Saturday 6th January 2024 featuring 43106, 7714, 34027, 2968 and 7812.

Video Available Here

 

Video from a great day on the Valley
today

 

I live in Bewdley, and it's been a pretty bad one here, though the peak was on Friday. Definitely a serious flood in my book.

On a happier note, I was at the gala today and thought it a very good day. I really hope the numbers add up to make it a recurring event. I may have been lucky with my trains, but the timetable was no more than a few minutes adrift at any point. Always hard to judge exactly, but it felt well attended without being overstuffed. As already mentioned somewhat bittersweet to see the changing of the guard with 2968 at one end of its ticket and 43106 at the other. Nice touch with the chalked "THE END" markings on 43106. Several people overheard praising the work done on the GWR set interiors, too.

Two small points, both about Highley. First, announcing "Highley for the Engine House" as 34027 arrived at 9 am was perhaps not ideal given that the EH was nowhere near open at that time in the morning! Second, my doubtless very boring recurring complaint - please can the cakes/pastries there have *prices listed on their cards*? Bridgnorth manages it.

Those are niggles, though, and the overall impression was very good. Having one of the few non-rainy weekends in the last three months certainly helped! I'll have to pick and choose my visits to the SVR a bit more in the coming year as prices are going up and spare cash is going down - but if this is a sign of things to come, I'll try to make January again. Thank you to everyone who made it happen.

 

Thoroughly enjoyed today's event, it has been a long time since I travelled on the railway at this time of year and the valley looked so different. The river looked huge, but clearly had been much higher, certainly had been a big flood, clearly the railway's investment in infrastructure has helped, good to see Sterns back up to 15mph too.
All the trains I travelled on were well loaded, but not uncomfortable, my daughter and I never had trouble finding a seat. I hope the figures do add up as this was a very enjoyable event, but would I have come across if the weekend had had yet another storm? The railway did strike it lucky weather wise..
All the loco's performed well, 75069 really is turning into a favourite of mine - so smooth and seems far more powerful in this ticket. 7812 was driven a lot harder today than at the Spring gala and when I had it on the West Somerset, great noise and looked a million dollars. 2968, great to have it back and that whistle! It was still being run in I think, but sounded spot on. Taw Valley still sounds lovely, the valve and piston overhaul a couple of years ago made a big difference.
Lastly, 43106. I am ashamed to say it had become part of the furniture to me it has been around so long! It had got to a point that I would try and avoid it at galas as I always knew I would get another chance and now...who knows when or, even if, we will see it steam again. In the last 12 months I have had several stonking runs behind it knowing its days were limited. It has proven to be a versatile & useful loco that has seen a lot of use for one that's supposedly been on standby duties!
Today it had a very fine send off indeed, firstly a barn storming run up to Bewdley tunnel and lastly a full on, sparks flying assault of Eardington, with a long blast of the whistle as we stormed over the top. Not bad for a loco on its 3rd boiler ticket extension! Farewell Piggy, sorry for taking you for granted, I fear it will be a long time before we see you again.

 

Another brilliant day. The Manor again the standout performer! Taw Valley on its final run from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster was also really good!!
Thanks SVR and all who contributed to such a great event!

Sent from my SM-G770F using Tapatalk

 

Sounds like someone did not do their due diligence before purchasing their house. Now they expect the local authorities to spend tax payers money helping them out.

 

That article sums up everything that is wrong with the flooding issue.
With climate change, these 'once in a century' events will be now once every 5 to 10 years. I remember doing a school Geography project on Bewdley floods, there was a big one around the year 2000 that coincided nicely with that project! That was the highest for decades, since then there have been similar floods every few years. Still though, we see new Housing being built on flood plains and when the inevitable happens fingers are pointed at local authorities. Flood plains exist for a reason, with the increase in these severe weather events we will need them more not less!
If you pick a fight a fight with nature there will only be one winner..

 

Friday at Little rock when the River was at it's highest .

 

43106 coming out of Bridgnorth over oldbury viaduct yesterday afternoon

 

7714 Eardington summit 6-1 in one of the few sunny breaks

 

I think the Society is now virtually defunct. I’m not sure about ownership but it seems to be just a few people in one family. I doubt if they have the funds or the will to pay for an overhaul and the SVR are not doing any overhauls on maintain and run agreements. Unless a well healed benefactor turns up I can see a long term residence in the Engine House.

 

Does anyone know if it was on a run and repair type agreement or daily steaming fees, or some other arrangement?

 

The locomotive was purchased by a group of eighteen SVR volunteers in 1968. Of these eighteen original part-owners, I believe nine are still alive. The ownership share of those that have passed away has in most cases been bequeathed to family members or close friends. The owning group cannot be described as defunct, as many of the remaining members are still active within the SVR. The locomotive has always operated on a run and repair agreement.

Andy

 

Thanks I got my understanding of family out of context. As the SVR are no longer funding overhauls I think I’m still right in thinking it will be a long time before we see it again.