GWSR Gala request

1306 Mayflower maybe a Black five and or City of PETERBOROUGH that would give you a 5MT gala,The blue king is a beast and eat coal like no tomorrow so may not be cost effective to bring it in plus will most likely be a hand full to keep at 25mph ,As much as i love western steam loco for a good gala you need to mix it up a bit.i know how Gala at my railway work when that just run all the home fleet no really draw for the public

 

Normally till 5/6pm ish. Just staying on operating times I'm not suggesting till silly o'clock, as GWSR is a bit out of the way and doesn't have the large towns nearby to really justify very late running. But say till 8/9pm would still give people a chance to come for a ride when it'll be slightly quieter away from the main crowds, yet still have that gala feel to it as its something different from the norm. Advertised correctly with a cheaper after 5pm ticket, and it could prove worthwhile. The only thing I can think of that may not help is the lack of places for food in the evening. It's not as if you have chip shops etc outside your stations like SVR, ELR etc. There's a pub at Toddington and Winchcombe, but is that it? (been a while since I visited).

The idea of a Cheltenham gala is interesting though, as people say it could provide the variety some people have requested and has me thinking what else could you invite? I'm guessing it was Large Prairies and Panniers that were based at Malvern Road? Did the 78000s make it that far as weren't some based at Gloucester?

Maybe invite former GWSR residents like 5199, though she has visited previously since her restoration. Did 7828 spend some time at GWSR as part of the Great Western Locomotive Group? Though then again most of the former resident are Western, so not the variety that is being asked for lol

 

From what I remember of the other month when I went pass them in a car, Winchcombe has quite a few bits but it's more of a walk than compared with the SVR say. Other than the pub and a spar supermarket, there isn't much a toddington.

 

How about 34092 City of Wells? Failing that, 34007 or 34070 would be rather good. Perhaps 34053 could make its first visit away from the SVR to this gala.

 

OK, how about this. Run a fish and chip special as an evening service on the Saturday of the gala. Offer fish and chips as an extra for those who prebook a rover ticket, and also sell the service as a normal fish and chip special with an all-inclusive ticket valid only for that service. Couple both of the normal rakes of carriages together and let 2807 or the 8F have a decent load to pull, and you would then be able to take rover ticket holders who didn't want food as well.

The only problem I can see is that it might prove more popular than the GWSR's normal fish and chip supplier can handle !!

 

These aren't exactly requests, but here are the top 15 locos that I think would be suitable for a GWSR event (With Photo Attachments)
Number 15. Metropolitan E Class 0-4-4T No.1.


Number 14. Ex-GWR 5101 Class 2-6-2T No.5199.


Number 13. LNER Gresley N2 Class 0-6-2T No.1744.


Number 12. Ex-LNER Raven Q6 0-8-0 No.63395.


Number 11. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No.75014.


Number 10. LMS Hughes Crab 2-6-0 No.13065.


Number 9. BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 No.78018.


Number 8. LNER Thompson B1 4-6-0 No.1264.


Number 7. Ex-SR Drummond T9 4-4-0 No.30120.


Number 6. SR N15 4-6-0 No.777 Sir Lamiel.


Number 5. Caley 812 Class 0-6-0 No.828.


Number 4. Ex-LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T No.42073.


Number 3. GNR Y14 Class 0-6-0 No.564.


Number 2. SR Battle Of Britain Pacific 4-6-2 No.34081 92 Squadron.


Number 1: Ex-LNER A4 Pacific 4-6-2 No.60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.

 

Some nice pictures there. I don't think any of those locos have worked on the GWSR

 

I think the only one out of the whole 15 that has worked on GWSR before is 5199. I may suggest one or two of the above locos for next year's Cotswold Festival Of Steam, because apparently the GWSR always tries to find locos that have never visited the line before. 60007 would, if they manage to get it in for a future GWSR event, certainly draw the crowds.

 

Well, technically a J15 has, but never a Y14!

 

Ah yes, the J15 visited in 2007 (?).
Also, does anyone have any guesses for what the possibilities of getting the pictured locomotives to GWSR for future events? Like chances out of 10 or something?

 

It's hard to tell really, up until last year anything lower than a class 4 could probably be written off for an inability to haul 7 and 8 coach trains. I don't know if the DM being dragged around will be repeated (unlikely any gala will be as busy as the one just past), but by next year we'll have 4 brake coaches with the potential of tearing all the rakes apart and making 4 shorter rakes of varying number. But a few thoughts:

Met 1 - may be not powerful enough to haul our normal length trains, would only be of use hauling the DMU around and maybe the freight train unless we have a major shakeup of what a GWSR gala looks like.

13065 has just gone to Mr Riley's for some attention? Not sure how long that'll be out.

Sir Lamiel's ticket has lapsed hasn't it?

It's an awfully long way for 828 to travel, I imagine an overnight stop so high transport cost.

The Fairburns rarely leave their home base.

I'd be surprised if the NYMR let their flagship loco go visit other heritage railways in between it operating on the mainline and hauling their own services.

Then you've got to consider the home railways' loco situation - can they afford to let a loco go for a weekend?
Never say never to anything though.

 

I knew before hand that a few have either been withdrawn or are undergoing overhaul, the purpose of the suggestions is to see which out of the ones I posted would be possible.

Would I be right to guess that 5199, 1744, 63395, 75014, 78018, 1264, 30120, 564, 34081 would all be possible?

13065 and Sir Lamiel may be possible once they're back in service (?)

And as for 60007, I suggested it because an A4 would be sure to draw crowds.

And of course not ruling out the Fairburn Tank, that would be something completely different.

Still, just suggestions I may make in the future.

 

You are absolutely right - 5199 has been on the GWSR. I was even there when it was! I stand corrected!

 

And 564 visited the GWSR in 2007, in its BR Guise of 65462.

 

Some great shots there Adam. A Fairburn would get my vote anywhere!

 

I also noticed this on the GWSR Website on the Enthusiasts Features page "Grange Locos":

'The Betton Grange group regularly visit the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with their information and sales stand at the annual Cotswold Festival of Steam. They have also promised that when their locomotive is complete, it will visit Toddington and can take on the identity of one of the last of the class to survive, no. 6848 Toddington Grange - a magnificent picture of which adorns the fireplace in the Flag & Whistle at Toddington station.'

 

It would also be very unlikely for Caledonian Railway No. 828 to leave Strathspey during the running season. This is why the steam gala at Bo'ness was moved to November, to facilitate the visit not affecting Strathspey operations.

Until Black 5 No. 5025 comes into operation, visits away to other railways for No. 46512 or 828 will be very unlikely if it meant just one steam locomotive available at Aviemore.