[Feb 22, 2014] Churnet Valley Steam Gala 2014 (Churnet Valley Railway)

I left just as it was completely in out of the bay siding ready to retake its train from the diesel. Anyone know what was wrong with it? And how was it allowed to limp back from Ipstones by itself on the first train?

 

The firebar snapped so i heard, and they done a temporary fix with some signal rod.

 

Rumour has it that there was a hole in the fire from a fallen grate. This somewhat affects steaming.

 

A few pictures from today, as usual the sun disappeared behind a cloud just as I took every photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bantam61668/

 

Was the railmotor running later in the day, first trip was cancelled and tickets refunded

 

I saw the railmotor running with people in it about 12ish (on the 11am train...)

 

The sound of Bullied working hard

 

Bullied? Tut, tut.

 

What were peoples views on this event as there was some very late trains and long waits on trains not moving anyone else have this exsperiance?
thanks
Patrick

 

my footage from today

 

Hopefully have better luck tomorrow when I turn up.

 

Todays gala shots now online at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/sets/72157641367861745/

 

Took 40 mins to turn round at Froghall on one occasion. But yes, 2 hour trips to do 20 miles.

 

Wadebridge failing was unfortunate, and it being so early in the day of course messed things up. however I do think they could have communicated better, and better informed everyone of the situation. it took them ages to ire the speakers u at Cheddleton in the morning, and even then it was very quiet and difficult to hear, and there was no one official on the station talking to people, nor in the overflowing car parks. most railways will have at least one person manning the car parks. I really like the railway, and love its setting, but I don't think it was big enough to hold a proper gala, and neither was it such today. I know the C+W department is terribly understaffed, but surely at least if you have to use a DMU in a second rake it could it least look like it was fit to run, and not part way through a restoration. some of the maroon coaches didn't really look finished either on the paintwork side. It's all very well this railway planning to become the biggest preserved rail network in the country, but with one and a half tatty rakes of carriages it simply can't be.
besides from the lateness of the trains I thought there was a lot of hanging around in the middle of nowhere, and also I believe having to collect water (through what we thought was a garden hose) when not actually in a station collecting passengers slowed things down.
Sorry for seeming to be so critical, but difficult not to judge against lines of similar length and of course, there's no contest.
I'd love to turn on again on a normal running day though, where things will probably be smoother,
Hope it goes better tomorrow.

Edit - having reread this post, it seems rather harsh. I am going to leave it up as they are all in my view pertinent points, but I will add I still thoroughly enjoyed my day, and the railway as a whole is still one of my favourites.

 

Thanks to everyone for posting your photos, I barely got any as I was stuck on the train so nice to see what else was going on, some amazing shots by FJR8642, thanks for those particularly, and Mike30A's video as well, brilliant stuff!

 

The railcar looks so at home in that shot. well captured.

 

"patrickalanbooth said: ↑

What were peoples views on this event as there was some very late trains and long waits on trains not moving anyone else have this exsperiance?
thanks
Patrick"​

Disappointed really, bought a ticket for the first railmotor run, this was refunded due to a technical issue, took the double header to Ipstones, passed the diesel on the Mk1 stock coming back, and saw Wadebridge in the yard at Cheddleton, with no sign of the railmotor, and no information readily available.

Had gone to travel with the railmotor and Wadebridge, with hindsight would have gone to the NVR.

 

Top marks for getting Wadebridge back in to service so quickly though, I was impressed with that!

 

We hope so too!

Part of 34007 grate collapsed into the ashpan on the first trip, hence her missing the second trip whilst we repaired it. Repairs were made intime for her to complete her booked third trip, but due to the delays being over 90mins at this point it was decided to swap the Diagrams around in effect, and run as booked as if we'd simply dropped one of the middle trips out meaning that in effect we were now only 15mins late.

The delays were first caused by Consall Signal Box not opening, preventing us from splitting the token. This meant R93 missed her first trip which we did refund, but S&T went down and managed to get the box working and so we resumed services as planned.

Not sure what was wrong with N7/S160, as we were too busy on shed with the Bulleid.

See how things go tomorrow, but after only leaving the railway half an hr ago when I was meant to finish at 5pm I'm off to get some rest!

 

From getting her unhooked off the set, onto shed, disposed and complete the repairs took us less than 1hr! It's just a shame problems elsewhere caused so much delay.

Railmotor only missed 1 booked turn this morning, she completed all other turns with no problems. That and the Beyer-Peacock have both had successful days!