South Devon Winter Gala 13-21st Feb

Slip was in the Woodville/Dartington area between Nappers Crossing and Totnes.

Everything in place tonight ready for the gala tomorrow. One small change due to the failure of D2246, D3721 will work the diesel goods trun this weekend, supported by 1369, 1450, 6412 and 3205.

 

Will be visiting on Sunday. First time visit for me so rather looking forward to it.

 

You will not be disappointed!

John

 

Monday/Tuesday were very enjoyable visits. Thanks to everyone at the SDR for a wonderful gala
1450 was wonderful!
Hope to back again this weekend
The timetable is very well thought through

 

I will get there this weekend for a brilliant timetable - but without friend who is unable to fit it in. Meant to go on Monday, but broke a tooth at the weekend; a lengthy session at the dentist was required but I know where I'd rather have been! For me, 1450 is the star, but also 1369 has been a welcome returnee, to go by the photos I've seen. And the unique 3205 is always a welcome sight.

John

 

Hello,
I was there on Saturday Afternoon.
Enjoyable time spent!
Few photographs on Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25830408@N08/sets/72157663959830049


Nick

 

My footage from Friday and yesterday.

 

The final gala train was 1450 propelling an auto coach !
It doesn't really get any better
The various combinations were wonderful.......

"It could have been a GWR branch at dusk" in ,say,1962
Well done to everyone at the SDR who made this 6 loco gala possible
Ray Mason

 

Well done SDR for livening up the dull days of February. Great effort by all concerned.

 

I got there at last, for the final day. It was good, with 1450 on auto coach an excellent finale, and the earlier appearance on a milk train was great - shades of Hemyock! But it was also good to see 1369 again, and goods trains suited well. All the locos belonged to be!

John

 

It was, once again, a brilliant gala. I travelled on Saturday and focused on pictures today, and thoroughly enjoyed both. The double-headers provided really strong entertainment (as I seem to write after every SDR gala - and a lot of running days - for a line with very little gradient the crews tend to have a knack for noise whenever they have a chance), and I love the variety of the timetable. There's no 'same loco on same set all day' at an SDR gala, they're endlessly inventive with the stock and loco combinations, despite only having one passing place at halfway. The imagination in these galas is exceptional, and it's very much appreciated. I always love how many different types and formations of demonstration freight appear during a single day too. And timekeeping wasn't bad at all either on the days I was there despite how intensive and complex the timetable was.

I worried at first that it was notably quieter than the diesel gala and particularly the winter steam gala that had featured the Swanage M7 in 2014, but the days seemed to get a lot busier as they went on. It probably only felt quiet because I was there so early - 8am trains (till 11pm too) are another bonus of SDR galas that is hugely appreciated.

Overall, great stuff. Anyone who hasn't been to an SDR winter gala really, really should. I was sad to have to miss the Dartmoor Sulzer event and Mid-Hants steam gala for work reasons so was feeling like my 2016 railway season was starting way too late, but this was a brilliant way to kick the year off.

 

From the Friday evening photo chater,

 

From Saturday night at the Winter Ale Festival

 

And from Sunday morning

 

Yes quite superb on Saturday despite the drizzle. At one point with L92 up front we passed 1369, 1450 and 6412 dh with 4612 at Bishops Bridge. Well worth the long drive

 

A few shots from Monday 15th and the Timeline charter on Tuesday 23rd. Well done to all concerned at the SDR.https://stephenleek.smugmug.com/Railwayphotos-1/South-Devon-Railway-2016/i-Wzm2mkd

 

Sadly I couldn't make it down to the railway during the gala, however I did manage to get down for three of the photo charters the week after the finale. First time visiting the railway line since 15 years ago, and it's just as beautiful as I remember!

Hat's off to the South Devon Railway for your staff aswell, some of the friendliest crews with great senses of humour! Conversations heard between those with radios made the days just as enjoyable as the sunshine and excellent locomotives!

Collett No. 1369 - Staverton Signal Box by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

Collett No. 1450 - Staverton Station by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr

Collett Goods No. 3205 - Riverford by Jonathon Gourlay Photography, on Flickr