Severn Valley ASG 20th-22nd September 2013

What Nellie lacks in loudness, she makes up for in quantity - 8 gentle chuffs per revolution. She's more powerful than she sounds though - between a Castle and a King - having been designed to run 500 ton boat trains from London to Dover (quite a difficult road) at an average of 55mph. Acceleration should be brisk on the SVR, even with full Gala trains, and I'll bet you'll hear her coming up Eardington Bank!

 

Before February, I never really liked 850. For me, it's always faced the 'wrong way' on the Mid Hants and I never got good shots at the MHR whenever Nellie was working. In February though, I had a footplate ride with 850 and since then, I can't get enough shots of her! One of the things that the footplate ride taught me, was that 850 really can make some noise when it wants to! My family could hear her from the back coach when climbing the 1in60 with 6 on...

Hoping to get up to the SVR Autumn gala this year - I've been meaning to attend for the past couple of years, but am normally away over the weekend! With 70000, 777 and 850 already, this looks like a cracking event!

James at SVN

 

Is 777 actually going?

 

It's been mentioned several times but it hasn't yet been confirmed via the SVR it seems?

You missed out Met No. 1 though James...!

 

Whoops, thanks Kieran for the corrections!

James at SVN

 

You wont get very good odds on 777! I don't think the odds on 30053 would be very good either!

 

Meh, gala lineup looks pretty dull to be fair, especially if 777 is being tooted as well. All locos that are too big and/or dont fit. One out of place loco is fine, but not a whole roster worth! It amazes me that the SVR havent looked to secure at least one of the B1's and/or the B12 - either would surely be a crowd puller on the teaks. Is there anything stopping 5322 from visiting - hopefully drum up interest for our Mogul??? Also, Ratbag is overdue a return as well...

 

I appreciate what you are saying re 5322, however I believe it has been to the Mid Hants this year already. Therefore, it has been off site, so why not look at it when its planned to be returned to Didcot after finishing at another railway? This should make it easier (at least) to get to the SVR. Even with extraction and other associated costs, I still maintain that 5322 would bring in more for the railway than any of the planned visitors.

As for the LNER three, just thought that trying to secure one of them would have been nice. I do not have any relevant info regarding hire costs, so I believe it is unfair to rule these out on this basis, as it is not clear how much it is costing to bring any of the currently planned visitors to the SVR.

I would have also thought it would be in the SVR's interest to secure a loco such as those mentioned above with the view of pre/post gala charter work. I can't imagine the demand would be too high for a Malachite Nellie, or Met 1, as it doesnt really pair naturally with any of the SVR's stock/surroundings. Britannia just looks out of place anyway, and does enough on the 'big railway' for it to be seen with Mk1's.

 

I think Met 1 might be quite popular, but we'll have to compare it to last year's Autumn gala as both are southern themed in the visitors. Personally, I think a 'midlands' gala (GWR and LMS) would probably go quite well, as it wouldn't be a trek for people coming. Then again, you kind of want stuff which isn't usual so it brings people in , hence why 828 went down very well in 2011. It's all a balance...
Plus it depends what's available...

 

5322 was at the MHR last year.

To be honest i can't see the Mogul would bring in more for the railway (other than charters and a more authentic locomotive on the line), the same for the planned visitors. Reason being is I've always felt it doesn't matter what runs at the SVR Autumn gala because to me it's always been more about the atmosphere and the social side rather than just what is at the front of the train. Obviously people taking snaps will have a different opinion but the majority of my best moments at the SVR haven't been due to what is at the front of the train but more so the atmosphere of a steam locomotive creeping into a silent Hampton Loade station in the early hours of the morning whatever it may be, or a freight chuffing into the night mixed with a few drinks and some good company!

Plus surely 70000's visit this year is because she couldn't make it in 2010?

Where does 30053 come into it 'moose4675', you seem to have been the only person to mention her on here....?

 

Its starting to look like this years ASG is going back to what it used to be. Lots of engines with lots of trains over the three days. Not necessarily a set theme to the weekend.

Regarding 850 not fitting in. How dooes 60007 or 6233 or 6201 fit in with the railway when they guested in previous years? 850 in Malachite green on a rake of GW coaches or gresleys recreating in someway the pre war cross country trains or holiday trains?

 

Met N01 will be bring in the crowds along with the addition of Britannia barking up Eardington Bank !!

 

It'll be good to see 70000 back in what essentially was her first preserved home albeit actually running this time. I wasn't even born when it was last here. Met #1 will be a coup for me too as it's last visit was shrouded in so much secrecy! I'm looking forward to this event. Just hope we don't get another influx of random snow…

 

Sssshhh, you'll tempt fate like that!
Anyway, SR and the SVR website are both saying 777 as the final visitor, though the SVR website does now have a question mark over Britannia.

 

If you're serious about photting and want authentic-looking photos on the SVR, do a charters (with appropriate stock). GWR engine and wagons/couple of coaches. Don't go to the SVR on gala days. The whole setup is too popular for the minimal branchline infrastructure they have. So the trains are too long, hauled by locos in not matching livery or from the wrong region, and there won't be another one along for an hour or so. So getting that shot is more of a challenge.

 

777 now confirmed as the fourth visitor. Returning after 30 years, Bringing a post war 1945- 1955 time scale. As usual this will not one to be missed.

 

Really? Did SR King Arthur's run on the SVR (a GWR branch) pulling Mk!'s in Carmine & Cream and Maroon, GWR stock and LNER Varnished Teak's between 1945 - 1955?

 

5764 on a couple of Collett coaches has been far from unknown on gala days (though obviously not this year!), that was pretty accurate!

 

I think the reference is to 777s' last SVR visit 30yrs ago.