WSR Spring Steam Gala, 20-21 & 25-28 March 2010

News just published at www.wsr.org.uk suggests that the West Somerset's Spring Gala in March 2010 will hopefully feature at least one member of all eight surviving BR Standard steam classes. I guess that means 70xxx, 71000, 73xxx, 75xxx, 76xxx, 78xxx, 80xxx, 92xxx.

I don't suppose 72010, 82045 and 84030 will be ready in time, and I guess WD engines don't really qualify.

David

 

I'm drooling already!

 

Sounds like it could be quite a good gala, will be something different at least. I wonder whether they'll manage to get one from every class of standard in though, it will be quite a task! How about using mainline registered loco and running shuttles from Taunton onto the line with it?

 

75029 unlikely as it is having a boiler overhaul.

Stuart

 

You can cross the P+D one straight off there, they have said elsewhere on this forum that it will not be turned out until the Manor is out of ticket somewhen after 2012

 

Bringing a 75xxx smokebox numberplate, anyone? At least this way, one will be present on the line in spirit! We'll have to see what happens, but I'm looking forward to it.

 

73096 is making rapid progress, but I think it unlikely that it will be complete and run-in by March next year. Which is the Caprotti-valve version? 73129? That was very loud at the Swanage 1967-gala!!

 

From memory of 40-odd yrs ago, the Caprotti engines did have a much sharper exhaust sound than the Walchaerts fitted examples. Unfortunately when archive film videos are made the sound is dubbed on so you don't always get the full flavour of these engines. 73129 did sound good at Swanage though, sharp as a bacon slicer!

This gala is building up to be a good one, although the preponderance of tender engines will make for a lot of tender first running. This will be a shame, but can't be helped given the theme.

Looking forward to it, the B&B was booked last month!

Regards

 

I would have thought it very unlikely that 73096 will go anywhere even if she is working. Dont all of the Bunch locomotives have to stay at the MHR until 2014? 73050 seems another unlikely candidate as she afaik hasn't really visited elsewhere so it probably only does leave 73129 as a realistic possibility, as i cant see either 73082 or 73156 being ready so soon.

Isn't 80078 very close to the end of her ticket now? Plus 6695 will be on her travels at the SVR until Easter, they may not want to loan out 80104.

But of course there is 80002, 80072, 80151, 80105(?) and possibly 80080 to choose from?

 

I dought if the triangle would be finished by march , even if they could get rails in proper lengths, which is the main hold up I'm told.

 

Tha Caprotti definately was loud at Swanage, see below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWg95ueDEh4

Isn't there issues with 73129's tyres though ? They were thin at Swanage IIRC and there was an appeal put out for them a while ago. She hasn't been retyred since returning to traffic so will she be allowed out ?

73050 is owned by Peterborough Council too is it not, so you need permission from them not Nene Valley ?

For the event itself, can I request one late night run on the saturday, returning to Minehead after 9ish. The one main critism of previous WSR galas I've had is that everything packs up about 17:00. I know there is the issue of crew hours which has been spoken of when this has been brought up before, but if just one return trip was run starting Minehead 18:00 ish returning whenever, then only one crew would be utilised. Just a thought.

 

SVR - as in Kidderminster - Bridgnorth

Now arrived, believed to be in use on Santa trains & for unspecified contract work at B'north.

Due to transfer KDR - BN tommorrow

 

73129 definatly will not be going to this - she's out of traffic at the moment and will be until the tyres are replaced on her!
We currently have the tyres but they just need putting on which costs a fair bit of money to do...

Sufficiant funds are in place to do this, however there are obviously many other costs to take into account; so if you want to see 73129 at other railways (and the tyres are the only thing stopping her from making occational visits away!) please considering digging into your wallets!

 

73129

So as to prevent this thread going off topic, I have started ba new thread for 73129;
http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php?t=21381

 

Regarding 73050 you'll need to get permission from NVR not the council. NVR will prob do this.

 

Latest from the Special Events Planning Team suggests the original list of guest BR locos was

8P Class 4-6-2 71000 “Duke of Gloucester”; “Britannia” Class 4-6-2 70013 “Oliver Cromwell”; 5MT Class 4-6-0 73129; 4MT Class 4-6-0 75058; 4MT 2-6-0 76079; 2MT 2-6-0 78019; 4MT 2-6-4T 80104; 9F 2-10-0 92203.


They go on to say "Back in July when we developed this line-up all eight locomotives were operational on their home railways but six months on the world has changed and whilst some have been booked others have fallen by the wayside. Thus we are currently looking for suitable replacements that fit the theme that we can afford to hire-in".

(source: WSR Online newsletter)

Errmm...watch this space, I guess.

Steve
(WSW)