SVR Diesel Gala 1st-3rd October 2015

A case of getting out of the WRONG side of bed - perhaps ?

 

Had a great time on the Valley today. What a shame I can't do it all again tomorrow - why does the diesel gala not extend to the Sunday?

 

A great few days, only today's weather and some daft connections at Kidderminster letting it down.
I particularly liked the evening express from BH to KR which I sampled with 50035 today, it suited the 50 and felt one of the better runs I've had with it recently.

 

Sadly because the SVR operates Sunday services as "Steam only" day but - at least - it operates a reasonable Diesel Gala that attracts a lot of custom and provides a good variety of traction.

 

Not true, timetable C in the summer has first train off Kidderminster (and subsequent workings) as diesel and this is used on the 2 May and August bank holidays at least.
Still at least its better than the previous system where Saturday had a mix of steam and diesel which didn't appeal to either side really.

 

I stand corrected; it was my understanding that the SVR liked go have an all-steam day as it felt that its customers preferred that scenario. Whether diesel usage is an economy measure, a test of market resilience or simply using what is available I am uncertain but pleased to note that diesel traction is accepted.

 

I liked 50035's headboard yesterday! Not the Hoover one either!

 

A superb 3 days. It was nice finally meeting Matt37401 and his old man! I met some other interesting characters. All the engines were in top form and it didn't rain. I found myself getting quite emotional at one point. I'd had a few beers and I was behind the 35 at full bore at night in the baggage area at the front of the train. I imagined a version of me born a few years earlier in Sonning cutting!

 

Nice to have a beer with you Saturday mate have to say this was a superb event hats off to everyone who made it possible. Wasnt advertised but the 20 &17 double header was a treat! Not really fair to single out any loco in particular but D7076 and D8568 were rather special. Not sure how the SVR tops that but I'm sure they'll have a good go at it!

 

I gathered that one of the engines on the 17 wasn't working for a bit hence the double header.

 

The story I heard they wanted to run them as a pair for the weekend.

 

Perhaps class 50 only weekend with 50035, and visiting 50s

 

Nooooooo! That would be boring! Unless your a diehard 50 crank, a 56 would be good have to wait and see.

 

14901, a 25, a 31, a 33, 37901, 37905, 41001, D832, a 45 and a 56 are all locos I'd like to see in May. Who knows?

 

And a 57, 66, and 68 for me

 

So not much then...Remember anything like a 56 or 66 will either need to go around with another loco with vac brakes or the Valley will have to hire in air-braked stock. The later will not be cheap unless there's a deal with someone and the former probably wouldn't be allowed due to weight restictions.

 

I'd rather like to see 41001 and 56097 with their little train from Ruddington.

 

No I meant in addition to the already mention loco list.

 

That could work.

 

It wasn't a shopping list. One of those would be very nice. All of them would be ridiculous.