Steel Steam and Stars 4 - March 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 2015

It looked a peach, coming round the corner through, Berwyn. I have the perfect video for you, tomorrow.

 

34092 & 3802 heads the non stopper, through, Berwyn. With, Wells sporting the Night Ferry headboard.

 

Glad you like the board. Looks better on the loco than my conservatory wall!! Now, when can I use it next?!

 

You don't half feel low when it's over. Don't you?

 

I must have been standing right next to you for that one. Are you the guy I was talking to about the Mid-Hants' Urie S15s?

 

We had a great day on Friday (12 hours) despite a few delays and really did enjoy my third SSS.
Amongst my many photos I managed to quickly 'snap' the one here on the mobile before leaving this morning. #steampower

 

No, sorry. I'm on the other side of the road ! I went up the private road a bit, to get a higher and wider angle.

 

Here's my video of the Gala from yesterday:

 

My pictures from Friday and Saturday can be found here... http://preservedrailway.weebly.com/llangollen-railway/steel-steam-stars-iv with video to follow.

 

The quality of photography at this gala reflects the work put in by the railway's volunteers, full time staff & contractors, to tidy up the lineside.
There has been a lot of tree cutting, hedge laying & general tidying up done to achieve this. The temporary photography area at the tunnel mouth appears to have been a popular location.
I hope that our visitors enjoyed their first rides along the new extension, & with a bit of luck & a lot of money we should have the permanent station open before 'Steam ,Steel & Stars V', putting an end to the topping & tailing.

Bob.

 

Glad it's all over, terrible affair, make note to attend again next year to see if they have improved! (tongue firmly in cheek).

 

Better late than never, my images from the second weekend of this excellent event can now be seen on my Zenfolio website at: - http://mickrogers.zenfolio.com/p495945628

Roll on SSSV!



Cheers,

 

Now that almost a week has past. I have now managed to upload a number of photo's from all 6 days of SS&SIV onto my website.

The link is in my signature. Enjoy

 

How much money did they make? Liz McGuinness said they made 55K on the first weekend and had been expecting 65K ut I haven't heard anything since.

 

Not wanting to delve into financial affairs, but there will obviously be some HUMONGOUS bills involved somewhere! - was the event sponsored by any of the magazines / hauliers etc.. or purely reliant on 'bums on seats' / brochures / donations etc... Just curious as I'm sure not many would be 'brave' enough to take on such a logistical challenge (with so many guest locos and all) as a gala, let alone fundraiser. Possibly the MNR when they hired an LMS trio from WCRC, although I believe that had magazine involvement???

Will

 

First Part of our Film from the Gala

 

I think one or 2 of the magazines were involved, Heritage railway and the railway mag possibly. Although they are part of the same group now. Not too sure what that involves, maybe free advertising? I heard the transport was all (or mostly) sponsored and done by Mr Goodman / Moveright. So if that's fully true, then a huge chunk of money has been saved there.

It is a very big risk to take doing these events, but as has been seen over the 5 events Betton Grange have run - they work. I wonder if its a part of people looking at the previous events and saying 'I'm definitely going to that'. I guess it all goes back to having to spend money to make money, and getting the right mix to make it work.

 

Some disappointing reports in Steam Railway that the event only just washed it's face and that without Moveright's generous sponsorship worth over £30k it would have made a significant loss. Poor weather on the second weekend is blamed, with over half of the 5000 brochures remaining unsold. There is no doubt this event is a huge financial risk, but this year it seemed popular with enthusiasts at least and would probably be considered successful if it was a standard gala . Whilst 'Wells' was a big enthusiast draw, perhaps the lack of a big celebrity loco such as 'Tornado', 'Royal Scot' or even an A4, meant it didn't catch Joe Public's imagination? Or was there just too much competition around in March with the SVR and WSR also having big galas t this time? Alas, it may be a wee bit longer now before we see Betton Grange steam.

 

I'd have thought it were too early to say what it's done fully, as a big chunk of the gala profit comes from Gift aid sale of gala DVD's.

I think as you say there wasn't a big star this time, though I thought Wells had it pretty covered. But once you've had Tornado, Royal Scot, a Brit, 2 rare Scottish beasts and 2 Western outside framed 4-4-0's, what else is there that has that 'Star' appeal.