NVR Autumn Steam Gala - Mixed Traffic 13th - 14th September 2014

Thanks for that very comprehensive answer. I will have to do a reckie on Friday evening!

 

I wouldn't have said it was in an easy-to-access location. The sign posts in that part of the country are terrible. I think it's a bit of a shame that the continental image has gone. I always wanted to go when they were using European engines but never did and I don't suppose they'll do it again.

 

My take on the Saturday, feel free to comment.

 

7822WelshSteam - the NVRs headquarters is literally on the A1 - the level crossing used to be where the line crossed the Great North Rd. The railway is signposted from both the northbound and southbound carriageways.I'm struggling to think of ways this could be easier.

 

And the other end is visible from the East Coast mainline, and signposted from the station and town centre. It's one of the more visible lines, not tucked away in the middle of a field somewhere.

Anyway, back to the gala... 60163 didn't operate today due to a leaking mudhole door, and 6046 had some problems this morning, so I understand there was some rejigging of the timetable. The queue of cars along the old A1 at Wansford was almost back to the truck stop, so hopefully it was successful.

 

1. Yes. Once you're there it's not so bad but trying to find Peterborough or anywhere else on goodness knows what road I was on when there are roundabouts with no sign on them meant that it took me 5 hours to travel 184 miles.

 

Peterborough is right next to the A1, 15 miles from the A14, and of course is on the ECML. Don't know how the NVR can be any better connected....

Ps did wonder what had happened to Tornado today.

 

Sounds like you need to stick to motorways my friend ;-)

Shame to hear about the failures today. All OK yesterday apart from late late late ....... 73050 made up 15 minutes of this on it's first run, got into Wansford and nothing was there ready to go. Couldn't believe it.

The only real other down side was if you wanted to watch one go off, you were stuck there for a long time because there wasn't another coming. Can't complain though as this was evident in the timetable released ahead of the event. You either take it or leave it. Would be interested to hear what it was like for the lineside photographers, there were plenty there.

Does anyone know why Tornado wasn't running up to Yarwell?

 

She doesn't fit in the headshunt down there.

It was certainly a very busy weekend on both days, with Saturday being slightly more busy. I haven't heard the official numbers, but I know the booking office manager was pleased with the passenger numbers.

Glad that everyone on here sealed to enjoy themselves

 

How's this weekend gunna work with her on the passenger turns if she don't fit? Top and tail to yarwell?

 

We're back to 'plan A' with Tornado working on the TPO's and City working the passenger trains. She shuttles from Wansford to Castor Crossing/Sutton Cross for the TPO drops.

The majority of details can be found at http://www.nightmail.org.uk/news/mailbyrail

And there is a timetable attached to this post (If the technology works)

 

Many thanks for the info

 

Was an interesting event to be a part of, with quite a varied fleet of locos; it was a shame about Tornado on the Sunday, but these things happen with steam engines. It was a nice quick fix and we had a fire in it again that evening, and it fulfilled its booked DX turn yesterday. The Standard 5 and 9F looked the part double heading on the blood and custard set, even if (no disrespect intended!) the gradients weren't exactly reminiscent of the Mendips!

Were you the chap firing Tornado yesterday afternoon? If so, hello again! I'm Nick the Rep.

 

Evening all,

First visit to the NVR for me, lovely line!

Gala photos now online at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frank47524/sets/72157647268500750/

 

Were you the chap firing Tornado yesterday afternoon? If so, hello again! I'm Nick the Rep.[/QUOTE]

 

Yes Nick that was me! Good to hear from you. My firing skills may be slightly ahead of my IT skills however!

 

Is there an extra charge to go to Castor Crossing/Sutton Cross with Tornado? or would a standard rover ticket be suffice.

 

Peterborough is adjacent to the A1M, the A15 and the A47. It's so easy to find that even my other half can navigate there and she could get lost in our back garden without satnav. From where were you travelling?

 

Upton on the outskirts of Chester. (I live in North Wales but this is where I work). The a14 was closed and, according to someone at the event, it usually is. It took me 5 hours to get there after leaving work at 7:30pm and it took me a good hour to find Wansford station in the morning. I guess I just said that because I saw this and thought of what a terrible time I'd had getting there but it's different when you know an area even slightly. You can't imagine how someone else sees it.

 

Follow the big road called "A1" (if you can't remember it think Tornado), then near a village called Wansford there's a load of big brown tourist type signs with a picture of a steam train on them. Follow these onto a loop of road that leaves the 'A1' and re joins it about half a mile later. Half way down this is a set of big white gates that can be swung across the road, with some metal runner things between them. Park your car near them and ask a local for directions from there.

Good luck. ;-)