SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

That's a bit rude, I daresay it was an honestly made suggestion and could have some merit in the event of a failure.
Don't accuse me of bring a diesel freak either as I am steam to the roots but as I said the idea does have merits.
I do rather like the Ruston as it does have distant steam connections, those with road engine experience will know wehat I am referring to.

Cheers Dave

 

The GCR use a Diesel and Steam in T+T mode on their Santa's, which seems to work quite well. Usual benefits of T+T (quick turnaround etc) and the public still get their steam ride!

 

Getting a bit confused here, are you & Ruston etc one & the same person?

 

Are you refering to a boiler fitted diesel or eth? I assume all your stock is steam heat fitted & coupled with a steam loco there would be no need for an eth or even a boiler fitted diesel.
It's just a nostalgic thing from steam days, the atmospheric effect of steam issuing from the carriages on a cold winter's day. You see it many times in films.

 

That's why I said "assume". So I presume this particular rake is eth only. Saying that my idea of a heritage line is to re-create the past. Eth etc is something you can do on the "big railway" anytime.

 

As the SVR carriage fleet consists of a high proportion of pre nationalisation vehicles (an unrivalled yet under advertised aspect of the railway) the ETH option is not available.

The SVR Santa operation is probably the most intensive & well patronised service of this type & STEAM is an essential part of it both motive power & heating wise. The steam movements at Arley between arrival & departure form a useful side show for those waiting to see santa. The importance of this is fully realised - hence moves to hire in an additional steam loco for the 2011 santa season.

 

buseng

It's you who are confused Ruston (as Ruston and Hornsby) of Lincoln produced steam thrashing engines in the early 1900's hence the link with steam.
I have no connection whatsoever with 37906.

Cheers Dave

 

I'm talking about user names on the forum.
I originally replied to a post by Ruston906, you as Big Dave seemed to respond to my post as if it was directed at you. . Although I now realise where the user name Ruston906 comes from.

 

I believe the LMS rake was ETH fitted when used on the first section of the west coast mainline. I did in my original post say steam heat was an good option as well they made the point about wanting steam for santa and being bad for the public what is worse for them to arrive to no train at all or one which is freezing cold thing there would be little chance of a return visits.
I would like to point out i attend BOTH galas this year.
We need to remember its a heritage railways which means there should be no cut off date the railway has DMUS and i am sure one day will have a 150 all the past needs to be preserved for future generation just not some idealised golden moment.

 

KWVR(the santa pioneer),NYMR,GCR,Llangollen,MHR,ELR,all use or have used diesels as the tail locos on santas,and yet by some freak of nature according to the world ended in 1948 diehards their trains continue to sell out.

 

I don't think that the size of the SVR Santa operation is perhaps widely understood here.

The operation is not some one train out & back top & tailed affair.

To cope with the numbers FOUR Eight Coach sets are required to an intensive timetable - with locos to match.

The ongoing success of this (parents who themselves visited when very young now bring their own children),with an advance booking virtual sell out, suggests that the all steam formula adhered to up to now is the correct one - there really is no reason to change it!

 

From the top.... (and not speaking for the SVR or any other group)

The SVR has nominally six steam locos in traffic (inc. two currently under repair). I too have heard rumours of a hired-in loco for Santas, but let's await confirmation from SVR

SVRA forum suggests the Santa requirement is for five locos, plus one carriage [steam] heating.

There was a recent proposal to reinstate the steam heating boiler to D821 but IIRC, following D1015's damage, this is down the owning group's agenda. I'm not aware of any other diesel loco having steam heating, any SVR stock having electric heating nor any SVR suggestion to timetable/roster use of diesels for Santas.

For 2012 the SVR is, I believe, looking at hiring-in locos or some diesel turns

Patrick

 

7802 - Collett 'Bradley Manor', Ex GWR… The EMF team removed fittings in preparation for the lift of the cab and boiler off 7802. Cleaning of the frames and wheels is also ongoing in preparation of their move to Tyseley for overhaul (SVRA website). On 8 October at Bridgnorth MPD the cladding and insulation were stripped from the boiler ready for the boiler lift 14 October. Other parts removed are most of the cab fittings, lubrication pipe work, blast pipe, superheater header and safety valve (EMF website).

Patrick

 

I doubt very much that the standard 3 will struggle on loads greater than 6 coaches. As for Taw Valley, hardly ideal with the amount of Coal and water she uses. Of the existing fleet, the ideal locos would be 5764, 7714, 1501, 5164, 4150, 7325, the three manors, 42968, 43106, 80079 and 75069. Not sure which smaller locos you are suggesting should go?

 

Perhaps that is because they are providing what the paying public want - not pandering to the diesel people.

 

Having done some research into the santa operations. The SVR is by far and away the most intensive. It requires 4 8 coach sets, mixed and matched to increase capacity. It also requires a 5th engine. There is always a turnover loco at Kidderminster so the crews get a break.
During december every saturday and sunday is taken up by Arley. For me the santa's at the SVR is the most intensive service. Its a hard day on thecrew but jolly good fun.

Other than last year during the awful weather, every year the SVR santas are 99% full with only a few seats on the first saturday or sunday remaining.
Even last year we had very few complaints overwhelmed by the compliments for the staff for perserveering even in the conditions.