6880 Betton Grange

The problem is that it is not an overhauled loco.

 

Why is it necessary to play the blame game?

The first hirers of a new or overhauled loco are always going to take a risk, as are the owners. But what are the alternatives? Wait until it's completely finished and tested then try to find some hires which will take more months? There's bills to be paid and inspections/certificates running out.

 

Except that had the loco run as originally intended, the SVR wouldn't have been first anyway - you would have been third! So that reason does feel a little bit like changing the narrative to fit events as they eventuated, not as they were planned.

As for a launch gala - I'm not suggesting holding that at the time of the Autumn Steam Gala. I find it hard to imagine that a railway the scale of the SVR couldn't plan a one-off event following period of testing. If the loco is genuinely as popular as is being suggested, then it ought to be possible to have decent ticket sales for the Spring and Autumn galas, and in addition another event. It need only be one additional set of paths in a normal weekend, but with a first train for supporters followed by a supplement / special ticketing for 6880's trains (or an enhanced fair for the weekend); probably a gala diner service or two and maybe some follow-up photo charters. But do it when the loco is proven, not before.

Tom

 

Hi Tom,

Firstly you missed the point of my post. I said we would have been the first of the Big GWR Heritage Railways to have it (Ie SVR, GWSR, WSR). So we would have had that unique factor there. That’s not offence to Battlefield or East Somerset, but in terms of what people might see as the “Big Guns” we’ll be the first.

Also it is probably worth noting our announcement didn’t come till after the first two cancellations, so effectively we would be the first.

In terms of a launch event/gala whatever you call it, then that would have had to have been budgeted for at the beginning of the season as we, like all heritage railways, are having to run a tight ship money wise.

 

In the current climate, yes. It’s all about good hard cash. These railways won’t survive without it.

 

It’s easy to blame the owner when you don’t know what they have had to face. Turning what was a kit of parts from Barry wrecks into what we see know is a huge undertaking and I’m sure there were a lot of setbacks on the way that were totally out of their control. Components can be ordered with the supplier not meeting the promised delivery date, what looks like a simple straightforward job turns into anything but etc.
The Valley gala is always worth a visit regardless and I can’t understand why anyone would not go just because a guest loco can’t attend. This year the the Stanier Mogul newly turned out in its original form will be worth it without anything else.

 

Harry. Dare we mention what the "spare" is if it doesnt all go to plan?

 

There’s more than one option tbh at the moment

 

I think I'd be more willing to commit to the gala if I knew what the back up option was...

Sent from my SM-G770F using Tapatalk

 

Not for me to say unfortunately. There are several options

 

It might not be for you to say, but it is rather ridiculous to keep it a secret.

 

Then it would make more sense to not rush the completion works, tell the public about the difficulties encountered and the desire to get the loco working properly and reliably, do some non public testing as per Blue Peter, and then launch the loco with a fanfare.

 

I think it’s the fact there are several options.

 

Then would it not make more sense to say "In the event of 6880 not being completed in time, a substitute of either loco X or loco Y will take its place"?

 

In the case of 6880 not appearing, i would expect that the most obvious. candidate if you want maximum appeal has to be Blue Peter, she's already on site, she isn't expected to, but if suddenly, it was announced. that she was to now have a starring role I would think you might even sell more tickets, 6880 could always appear at a later gala, perhaps a GWR themed one, along with visiting GW engines.

 

But with almost any locomotive, you can never promise when it will be done. I have a VHS from 1985 saying Didcot would complete 7202 within 2 years LOL.

 

Name one gala or even event outside of the preserved rail world that lists the fall back plans as part of their marketing?

The entitlement of some people to believe they have a right to know the inner workings of event organisation is baffling. Either sit and wait to make your decision closer to the time when we know more about 6880, or trust that it’ll be another fantastic SVR gala regardless and book on whether it’ll be there or not.

 

Deleted

 

Name one gala or even event outside of the preserved rail world that puts an untested new build loco as its star attraction?

No entitlement here thanks, I'm a bit far away to attend whether 6880 appears or not.
Just because someone suggests something doesn't mean they are demanding it, or feel entitled to it.

 

Apart from the fact it's already been categorically stated that regardless of anything, Blue Peter will not be taking part... And the fact that for something with as big a draw as 60532 will have, you don't use that as a back up, you wait until you can headline it front and centre with plenty of notice otherwise what's the point?

I do have empathise with everyone chomping at the bit wanting to know what's going on, but when the answer comes back "Don't worry, we have a robust plan b with more than one option if it doesn't quite work out as we expect" there seems little point pestering people further.