Blaenavon Mixed Traction Gala 1st and 2nd May 2011

Its more a question of crews rather than the loco being ready, with 7 days operation in 11 days with the bank holidays crews are thin on the ground!

Alex

 

Can't agree more! 3 or 4 Mk1's?

 

Three as the Buffet car is in works. However the tearooms will be open.

 

Okay, one day I will help you! Will be nice to see a five coach train, looking forward to the driver for a fiver for sure! Will be great fun! What will be the spare loco?

 

Well after all that we now have enough crews - big thanks to the guys for sorting this out.

So the weekend will feature diesels 37216 and 73128 and Steam locos 71515 and No.19

Diesel diagrams swap around between Sunday and Monday with the 37 getting more on Sunday and the 73 more on Monday.

I've sent copies of the timetables to preserved diesels and PLEG. Not sure if the'll be uploaded on our website as our webmaster is rather ill at the moment.

I'll See if i can get a copy uploaded here.
regards
Alistair

 

Weekend plans may change again...

 

Timetable converted to word doc and attached here - hope it works and is readable
regards
Alistair

 

It is readable, and tempting! Trouble is I'd told Mrs H that there'd be no more railways this week, after taking my 3yo to see Thomas at the Gwili on Monday, and a full day at Perrygrove yesterday....

My daughter will probably have the casting vote!

 

It's not too far from Cardiff, Tim, just up the A470, turn right at Merthyr, and along the A465 to the bright lights of Brynmawr. We're only a hop over the mountain!

Regards,
Ian

 

I'm well aware of where it is, after riding three times last year, and filming on another. It's all about brownie points! I'm sure many of us have to balance such matters. At present, things look promising, as my 3yo seems keen! She's only had one 37 for haulage so far, D6700.

 

I think it's about time she had another one, don't you :0)

 

Indeed, and 216 is a good one, as it was the first one I ever rode behind, on a Man Picc- Skegness in August 1984. We were disappointed that the diagrammed 40 hadn't produced

 

Timetable is very readable and much better with the addition of the 37. I'll definitely be there on Sunday now. Hoping for some decent thrash up the bank!

 

Hi all, unfortunately the 73 has failed today, and with it also failing last weekend it has been decided to withdraw it from the gala on Sunday and Monday. It's really frustrating as last year it work like a charm, but this year it's being an awkward cow.

Anyway, 37216 will still be out along with 71515 and No.19. When not on services locos will be in platform 2 at Furnace Sidings for driver for a fiver.

I've attached a revised timetable, which in the good traditions of Blue Peter I had made earlier.

regards
Alistair

 

Just got back having successfully doubled my daughter's tally of 37s, and added to her total of steam locos she's ridden behind. "Mech Navvies" and 19 looked and sounded superb, especially on the double header, which was loud! 37216 sounded superb, but it'll look a lot better when it's not in undercoat, and has it's marker lights, skirting and assorted other bits refitted. Still, it'll give us an excuse to go back, when it's finished! Recommend the chicken sandwiches in the tea room as well!

Good to meet alig8048, and look forward to seeing your pics of the double header.

 

Very good day today and very good value for money. 19 and the Austerity were very loud but the 37 was a bit disappointing. The first run was particularly entertaining as no 19 tried to take three coaches and the 37 up the bank on it's own, although I think the driver of the 37 was meant to be helping out a bit! Hopefully the railway did well out of the event.

 

Here's a short video I took yesterday of a trip up the line behind a very noisy bagnall no19. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-yQJ_e8HQ

 

Right, I think I will be doing the September gala!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAXb63X9AII "Mech Navvies" and "No19" assault the bank, individually, and as a pair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6stFTsGxcmc 37216 does the same.

 

Good stuff Tim, weird that we filmed the same train from different sides! I know who you are now so next time I see you I'll say hi.
I managed to pop up again this afternoon on the way back home from Abergavenny (not the most direct route but my wife didn't mind!) and saw the double header. The thrash has definitely improved since my visit last year!