Severn Valley ASG 20th-22nd September 2013

There was something in TN about it being turned, but that was assuming it arrived on Saturday which I'm lead to believe it isn't. Certainly nothing on RTT for it arriving tomorrow. So whether it is, I don't know, but I assume it will be turned when it does arrive and so will be facing Kidderminster for the gala.

 

From the available information it is likely to be facing south

 

Well i'll be disappointed as i was hoping to catch it working up Eardington Bank smokebox as i'm sure a lot of linesiders would !

 

I see the timetable for the diesel gala has appeared. One sheet of A4 with all locos and stock allocations listed. That's all that's needed, not a huge book full of useless information that the vast majority of people don't need or want.

 

As I have no definitive information, had to interpret what is available, I might be wrong. I will keep the forum informed if I get a definitive answer

 

I totally agree. <BJ>

 

The topic of brochures, WTT and loco diagrams etc is always a thorny subject.
I personally think that if I have to pay eg £5 for details of TT etc on top of the rover ticket then I see it as a bit of a rip off and probably wont attend said gala.
A railway does itself no favours by doing things that get bad press/feedback. If visitors get "good value for money" then they will return again and again and again.
Also word will spread that "railway X " does a good gala, its VFM, doesnt "rip people off" (ie obviously milking the enthusiast)and good time is had by all etc etc........and then said railway will find that their numbers increase and not dwindle each year.

Earlier on this year a railway produced a brochure with TT, details of locos (history of.etc) and it was given away free to those who purchased a rover ticket otherwise it was a £1. The costs of the brochure were covered by adverts. The feedback was that it was a good publication and was very well received. The railway in turn got good feedback, goodwill from the visitors and good publicity from a railway magazine. Now in my mind that is the way to do it.
The railway has set itself a high standard of expectations and this in turn will drive them to improve/grow for next year.

 

Some railways, e.g. South Devon and Keighley & Worth Valley very generously publish WTTs for free on the net. That suggests a good attitude generally, and in itself that encourages me to go - and I do, and I mean buying a ticket to ride not just photographing!

 

Would 46233 actually fit on the turntable at Kidderminster?

According to this website, its a 70 ft tutntable
According to PCRLT, 46233 is 73ft 10 inches long

 

Depends if you mean fit on or fit in. You are correct that at 73ft 10in over buffers 46233 will not fit in the turntable. However the wheelbase at 62ft 11in will fit on the turntable. Bittern at 60ft 10 wheelbase has been turned at Kidderminster, I have googled but can't find a length over buffers for an A4

 

Ah I see. What I meant was would it fit on it well enough to be turned - by the sounds of it, it'll fit with a bit of overhang at each end.

 

An A4 is 71ft 3in over buffers. A Princess Coronation at 73ft 10in is 2ft 7in longer so would have a larger overhang

 

46233 path to the valley on Thursday 19th, it's coming from the South!!
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50722/2013/09/19/advanced
So it might be facing Kidderminster or it might be facing Bridgnorth for the gala, we shall have to wait and see on Thursday. If possible, I'll try to find out then and will post asap on here.

 

No mention of 1501 in the latest version of the downloadable brochure for the event. Has it been withdrawn from the gala?

 

46233 was successfully turned on the TT at Kidderminster for the 1st time way back on 24th September 2001...

There where a few bit's over hanging

 

Any idea about which way Kinlet Hall will be positioned ?

 

While I see where your coming, and to an extent your right, the WTT is complicated, I'm not sure you can get 24 hours of movements (assuming you do the same all 3 days anyway, which is unlikely) onto a single sheet of A4.

Personally I need a WTT for the loco allocations, no point setting up for an evening of time exposure shots for north facing loco's if in the event you get a procession of tenders and bunkers and would have had more luck south facing.

That said unless I'm mistaken, the price of the WTT has gone up too as it used to be a flat £5 ?, bit excessive, but with a limited window between night falling and the overnight service kicking it, I can't really "wait it out" for the right combination so have no choice, I talk about photting mostly but I do travel at this gala to get between locations, and a nice warm seat for a few hours doss overnight, considering I spend well in excess of £50 at this event on a 2 day rover plus food & drink, I think putting the price up of the already expensive WTT regardless of traveling or not, is a very poor move.

 

Price has gone up this year, only by 50p but get your point. I've bought one myself as I'll be there all 3 days and want to plan what to see/do before arriving on Friday, but as I'll be spending over £100 over the 3 days do they really need that extra 50p so much? Flat £5 seemed ideal as it works easier for people who bought on the day too, no fiddling about with change for station staff etc.

The argument over the release of diagrams is a tricky one, and I can understand people being a bit miffed the Diesel Gala gets a free WTT whilst Steam Gala gets a £5+ Document. However the two events are aimed at slightly different markets which have different trends, and only a fool would ignore such differences. Whilst there will always be enthusiasts wanting to travel at both events, there are far more steam enthusiasts who are interested in solely watching the trains and taking pictures. Anyone who has helped organise such events cannot failed to have noticed this, and so making the diagrams available in this way means that the railway at least gets some form of contribution from them. I'm not saying such a trend is a bad thing, as different people get different things out of this hobby, but without income these events will not survive and I'm willing to bet the Steam Gala WTT raises a couple of £100 so why should the railway remove such income? Diesel enthusiasts meanwhile tend to ride more and buy more from railway shops/bars/cafes. Not being argumentative but having been involved in Gala organising there is a marked difference in sources of income from the different events.

And so with the differing markets, different approaches are needed. If so many people are against a charge being made on Steam Gala WTT then don't buy it, for as soon as it stops making money I'm sure there would be a rethink. But whilst people continue to buy it, why would the railway rethink? They've found something that makes money which at the end of the day is what such events are all about. It's great when an event is enjoyable for volunteer staff / visitors, but a railway cannot afford to continually let an event make a loss. They are a business after all.