Swanage Railway - Grand Steam Gala

This event has been advertised for 8-9 September but no information has yet appeared on the railways website. Can anyone offer some titbits?

Regards

 

71000 has been confirmed as attending, and is apparently on the 7th to 9th, much like the MHR.

As much as I adore 71000, I would much rather see 925, 777 and 825!

James at SVN

 

Other visiting locos are being finalised, and will be announced in the next few days.

The plan at this stage (subject to finalising the timetable) is for a 45 minute timetable for full line trains, but with an additional shuttle service from Corfe Castle to Motala. It is also planned that freight services will be run in our 'third path'. Further details will be available shortly; the team intend finishing the timetable by Tuesday.

 

Is that a rumour as I cant see it announced anywhere...

From what I recall their steam gala has always been the same weekend in September and well worth a visit....

 

Swanage Railway have been advertising it on their Twitter feed for the last week or so.

James at SVN

 

A gala starring just 34028 and 34070 is enough to get me making the 300ish miles round trip.

 

Seconded! If the 71000 thing is true, then I'll be heading to the seaside that weekend.

I like the way Swanage manage their galas - and really resent the way Mid Hants galas take the loco off outside Alton station, and attach it to the next train out while the original train is held outside the station, thus making it impossible to do a return trip from Alresford behind the loco of your choice.

 

It prevents hogging of seats behind a particular locomotive, which I think is a very good idea. It also means you can see the locomotives with a different stock every time, and thus is better for photographers. I know it is a pain for those who want a round trip behind a specific locomotive, but is better for everyone.

James at SVN

 

I respect your argument, but I still resent being treated like this as a paying passenger.
Mid Hants is the only railway I know of that does this. It makes me think of Michael McIntyre's riff on Argos : something along the lines of - every other shop does it the same way, while Argos does it this way...catalogue, order form, queue, pay, wait in death row etc.
I'm very unlikely to bother with a Mid Hants Gala while they continue with this system.

 

I know exactly where you are coming from, as I do agree, it is somewhat frustrating especially when you do not know what is happening (I remember in the spring gala from 2006, I was behind 60009. Suddenly we stop outside Alton and 5 minutes later, 60009 charges past us with the previous service.).

Likewise, I respect your opinion about not attending. If I may just ask however, would something like this really put you off attending a MHR gala? I am only asking as a fellow enthusiast, not as a member of the MHR.

James at SVN

 

It's good to have a friendly and courteous discussion! Oddly enough, it was my experience behind 60009 at that gala that led to my avoiding MHR galas.
To answer your question, since that date I have in fact attended two MHR galas, but one of those was inadvertent. What I suppose I'm saying is that the Alton thing puts me off their galas, but I won't cut off my nose to spite my face!
Of course, Swanage has the upper hand for me not only because they don't leave passengers stranded and unable to travel behind the loco of their choice, but also because it's a seaside town!

 

I know, it is quite nice to have a peaceful conversation with someone who shares a different view to my own! A pity others cannot get on like this on some of the other threads!

It really is quite strange that we both had the same experience with 60009 - it was my second MHR gala (I was only 11!) but can still remember the tender of the A4 approaching and thinking "what on earth is going on!?!". In fairness, I had a front window seat for the climb of the 1/60 Medstead bank, and then heard 60009 depart Alton with 7 on up the 1/60 back to Medstead from the same window - an A4 has never sounded so good!

That is entirely fair, and I can understand where you are coming from. I think both lines have their advantages and disadvantages - Swanage is by the sea but is a pain in the backside to get to (well over an hour from Southampton to Swanage - in that time, I could've gone from my house to Alresford (MHR) and back 3 times!), and the MHR has spectacular views (and is just 15 miles from where I live!) but has the unusual timetabling system.

Anyway... I suppose it's time to get back on topic!

James at SVN

 

BUT, would you rather have quality or quantity of time behind your chosen loco? What Swanage don't have to the same extent is the banks. Not a disparaging comment, it's not their fault, but I'd rather have a trip one way hearing a loco work than a return trip in the pilot valve...

 

Nearly 2 miles of 1:78 and a mile of 1:80 is fine by me....

 

Oh, well quite, by no means a bowling green, until you compare the two!

 

Just found this......


Duke of Gloucester to Visit Swanage

Our Grand Steam Gala is on of the highlights of the year on the Swanage Railway and we have been able to attract some well-known locomotives in previous years. 2012 is no different and we will be welcoming the unique 8P 71000 Duke of Gloucester.

Also visiting Swanage this year are Alfred and Judy. Normally based on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in Cornwall, these two tank locomotives will be operating a Corfe Castle to Norden shuttle during the three days of the Gala.

The 2012 Grand Steam Gala takes place from 7-9 September. There will be an intensive steam train timetable with all the Swanage-based locomotives in operation as well as the visiting locomotives. Other details include:

Demonstration freight trains.
Wessex Belle Bistro steam-hauled Friday and Saturday evenings. Booking advised.
Evening trains Friday and Saturday.
Shop open on Swanage station.
Bird's Nest Buffet Open at Swanage.
Norden Nest Buffet open at Norden.

Alongside the Steam Gala is a Vintage Transport Rally at Harmans Cross. This is organised by the Bournemouth & Poole Preservation Club.

 

Also theirs been a final cavalcade in recent years on the last day! Plus running until nearly mid night on two of the nights which makes for a much longer day to ride behind everythig! In my opinion one of the best galas in the south easily.

 

If we do have a cavalcade (and I see no reason not to), then the guest engines would make an interesting comparison point!

 

Unsure how Alfred & Judy would cope with 25mph running!

 

I was more thinking of setting the cavalcade off with DoG next to Alfred and Judy; could be a bit 'interesting' otherwise!

Incidentally rather than as stated in the linked post from Steve1015, the plan is for Alfred and Judy to operate shuttles between Corfe and Motala, therefore taking in the currently charter-only section from Norden to Motala. This is a rare opportunity to travel on a Swanage Railway passenger train 'over the road' from Norden.