SVR Pacific Power 22nd-25th September 2016

It isn't canceled, it is moved to November. I have to watch what I say as I don't want to land myself in hot water, however, while I understand your disappointment, it is good to hear that you plan to come in September anyway.
If I may suggest to others reading this, if people were to say "of xxxx happens we will come" in preference to what would make them not come, it would provide a lot more useful feedback.

 

Tickets will be sold April onwards.

 

Having 4472 and the gala at the same time would be un manageable given the numbers who have been gripped by Scotsman fever. This was not clear at the time the locomotive was booked. The svr have taken the sensible option the only other was to have cancelled 4472 visit.

 

To misquote banburysaint

.......and decided to cash in

 

Had a mailshot from the A1 team and according to them, 60163 will be night running during its visit.

 

It's cash that keeps the railway running, the whole nation is still feeling the financial squeeze so can you really blame them? People are all to quick to moan when they miss the opportunity to cash in.

 

Agreed Olly, there is the end of season event in November. But I personally feel that it just will not be the same as the usual ASG. Dress it up as much as you like, but it's a substitute for the real thing. Again, these are my personal feelings and I realise and accept other people may think differently.
As I said previously, wether or not we come in September depends on the "ordinary" ticket prices. If these are going to be increased to a ridiculously high level then we won't be coming, full stop. But we'll have to wait and see.

 

I must admit I am disappointed by that response, there are pages of people saying what will make them not come but not many saying what would make them change their mind.

 

I'm planning on coming, along with one of my mates. We're planning on either visiting and watching, or visiting and riding (but not on Scotsman - if that's an option).
I visited the Spring Gala and I loved it (as I did last years Spring and Autumn galas).

I like others am a little bit miffed about the loss of night running, because it would have been the main reason why we were coming. It's something that no other Railway currently offers, and there's something special about travelling at night.

Saying that, having seen Flying Scotsman at the ELR, and at NYMR, I've very tempted on working out a way to see it at the SVR, be it along the line or on the line.

For me, as long as there's a way of getting about the line to get to different spots to see the engine go past, if there's refreshments at the stations, throw in a Kiddy - Bewdley Shuttle to add in a bit of variety (if it works with the timetable).

Perhaps allow a run from each end to the other after the last run through of scotsman - to allow visitors to get to the stations they might be staying near after the event, would be very useful

Ohh and make sure you stock enough beer )))

 

.A couple of points; Firstly I think I am correct in saying that it wasn't the SVR that asked for 60103 for the Gala, it happened that the slot they were offered by the NRM included the Gala weekend. I'm not sure inviting Tornado as well was a wise move, 60103 on its own would have been sufficient, however greater minds....
Secondly, I think an earlier poster makes a valid point, how do you price day rover tickets for non-60103/60163 trains? I don't envy the people working on that one. Maybe enthusiast visitors will want to see how imaginative the timetable is first, ie what you can fit in to make it worthwhile around the --presumably--non-stop runs of the pre-booked trains?

I wish the SVR well revenue-wise from this, but personally the potential "crowd control" issue will mean I don't attend. Probably a very good weekend for visiting another Heritage line thereabouts.

By the way, olly5764 says above that the ASG "isn't cancelled, its moved to November". Bear in mind it is actually called the "Season Finale Gala", and both daylight hours and possible weather implications for November come into play.

46118

 

Overnight running, it's the unique selling point of the SVR for me, the shots and astmosphere at stupid o clock at Bridgnorth or Bewdley with not another soul in sight or waiting infront of the station building fire as the sound of the half past midnight I'm waiting to board grows near is something no one else can offer, providing the steam heat is functioning as it should, even November should not prove a barrier to that.

 

Well, it's been a trial navigating this thread, what with wading through all the teddies that have been punted out of various prams. The breathtaking sense of entitlement that has been displayed, does those displaying it no credit at all. All those decrying the change of date for the ASG, or the loss of the overnight running and all those posts which include the words, "for me," followed by whatever their personal preference is, seem to feel that the SVR has somehow done the dirty on them, or disrespected them. This is total cobblers, as is this talk of "poor planning, painted themselves into a corner, etc."

The Railway has seen an opportunity, which made commercial sense, but which came with restrictions on the availabilty of the machine in question, and has seized it. It has also taken well - thought out and - intentioned measures in order to counter what would otherwise be intense overcrowding problems.

The SVR is run and operated by enthusiasts, not for enthusiasts, but for everyone. It is in two businesses, show business and survival and has to make its decisions based on those. In the process, it hopes to entertain and make lots of people happy - and usually does both very well indeed. That is why it occupies the position it does, in the minds of enthusiasts, the wider public and the tourism industry.

The SVR has to move with the times and be flexible and take its opportunities where it can. It does not do stuff to spite people. So, to those whose noses have been put out of joint, get over it, and yourselves. To those whose holidays are booked and cannot be changed, hard luck and my limited sympathy; try being a Police officer for 30 years and see how flexible your holidays are. Sh1t happens; it's one year and November will be fine too. I hope they relent on the night running, because I enjoy driving it, if I'm rostered, and riding it if I'm not.

If this has "destroyed your goodwill" and you don't want to come and play again, please remember, it will be your loss, as I said to someone a few years ago on here, when he said he wouldn't be coming on the night runs for "just a small engine on load 4." Boy, did he miss out.

And as for the bloke who expressed disappointment that there would be, "only 4 Pacifics."

Words fail me.

 

If your going to take that stance, then don't come complaining if a future event suffers a poor attendance (far from unknown) then, the hypocrisy from some who bite the hand that feeds them, who then speak out when said passengers are low in number takes some beating, having been out last Saturday it certainly seemed something less than busy considering it was a Gala, but I suppose that's the fault of all the people who decided they had other options last weekend and regularly get blasted by those who think paying customers should not have an opinion.

There was a period of months between 60103 being announced and this being announced, this is fact, had action been taken sooner then there would have been less of a harsh reaction, people understand why this has been done, but the delay in doing so, a delay in which many have already made plans, is looking very suspect.

If your in the game of entertaining the paying public these days, then you are going to get feedback, good or bad, good organisations will take on said feedback and try to learn from it, rather than throwing the toys out the pram at the idea that someone has said something they are not happy about, this is how tourist attractions work now, get used to it, running a 20th century railway doesn't mean you can display a 20th century attitude, do you think someone who's lost XX% of his holiday days and his deposit on accomodation would be happy if the SVR adopted your response of "Sh*t happens" ?, no doubt he'd probably tell everyone who asks him about the place to stay away so you lose more custom than just the person concerned.

At the end of the day, it does get a little tiresome being berated for either saying where an events been good or bad, or taking a different option instead of attending, enthusiasts may not be the sole or even the largest percentage of visitors, but they are visitors non the less, paying the same money, and more importantly, they are repeat custom, joe bloggs and his 2.4 kids may turn up once a pay a decent amount, but if Mr Enthusiast is impressed, you could have annual repeat custom for the rest of his days, do you really want to alienate the kind of income that repeat custom adds up to ?.

The SVR has some good people and I have no doubt that the managment have clocked a few errors have been made, particularly with regard to the long lead time between announcing 60103 and publically saying the ASG at the same time woulden't work, hopefully as you say, they will relent on the overnighters, but that kind of attitude from within doesn't help anyone, annual leave and money doesn't grow on tree's both are particularly stretched at the moment due to the economy, so a shrugg of the shoulders when they lose both due a seemingly avoidable error isn't really going to cut it, some flak must be expected, taken on the chin and learnt from.

 

I don't complain. I don't speak for the SVR, I speak for me. People have expressed opinions, with which I disagree, for the reasons I outlined. I expressed mine. I disagree with yours.

I too was out last Saturday - driving an engine. I didn't notice any low attendance, and I did my best to ensure that the people I spoke to and who rode on my train, had a damn good time. I saw a lot of smiling faces getting off my four coaches. I always do.

I am sure the management, for whom I do not claim to speak, will be aware of criticism, since, to the best of my knowledge, they can all read. I am equally sure that they have done their best to take advantage of the opportunity that came their way, in the full knowledge that they cannot please all of the people all of the time.

The "attitude from within," is all mine. I am a grown-up and have dealt with numerous of the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune throughout my life. I haven't whinged about them and I have little patience with those who do.

I didn't berate anyone for their opinions; I berated them for whingeing. I haven't spoken out about low attendances; people go where they will, and that's as it should be.

 

Presumably you have forgotten last year's "Manor50" which was held in November (surprisingly around the same period as the proposed ASG / End of Season Gala) when the weather was superb and many enjoyed a good weekend. If you are going to query the weather aspect ask yourself how many "normal" September Galas have been run in wet weather (or autumnal - with high winds and little sunshine) then accept that weather is always a gamble.

My response to your concern is to accept the event for what it is then go and enjoy it.

 

I'm a bit surprised at some of the negative reaction...then again this is Nat Pres so I probably shouldn't be(!)
For me, as soon as I saw FS announced during last year's ASG I knew it was going to be a whole different ball game in terms of public interest and crowds than a usual gala. Therefore to me what the SVR has decided to do is not a surprise and in fact a logical conclusion.

It's not a perfect analogy, but I can see some parallels - say for instance that Kidderminster Harriers draw Man Utd at home in the FA Cup. Suddenly every man and his dog wants a ticket, and the club has to manage the excessive demand, have extra crowd control than usual etc. Some people who have supported the club for years may lose out on a ticket to others who have never been to a game before and be very disappointed (this happened to me this year when my team Colchester played Spurs, but I digress...) At the same time the club probably puts up ticket prices for this one off match, as they need to cash in on this rare opportunity.

Personally, if I'm around on that weekend I'll head over but probably not travel - instead do some linesiding and try and get some half decent photos. Admittedly I am biased as that's the part of the hobby that I enjoy the most and I currently live relatively locally. The November event interests me same as any other on the railway, depends on what locos are running, what else I've gone on that weekend, the weather. But if I am free I will probably attend , I enjoy visiting and travelling on the SVR.

I'm surprised at the level of it too. Maybe the fact it's been away for a decade, maybe good PR and media by the NRM - can't blame them for wanting to recoup as much as possible on their 'investment'. Maybe just because it's the one locomotive everyone has heard of. Was talking to a colleague at work about FS this week, but the name Tornado meant nothing to him. Still didn't really ring a bell when I said 'the one that was on Top Gear' (he's a petrol head) though he did recall Clarkson shovelling coal.

 

Last year in north wales October half term (ie last week of October) was warmer than the middle of August!!! Three years ago the spring gala was in snow. The British weather is a very fickle beast and any attempts to second guess it will be met with defeat!!!

It is just some steam train rides not a matter of life and death!

 

I'd say the memory is beginning to slip a little there Fred, I've gone back and checked my images and the weather was fairly poor at the Manor event, only a bit of sun on Saturday morning and Friday afternoon of the preview day and shocking for most of Sunday. Its more of a gamble in November and of course much shorter daylight hours, which for me is a bonus rather than a problem Hope to grab a couple of more night shots at the November event, I'm not going to pass public comment on the move of the gala beyond I do have a lot of sympathy with those who booked accommodation and leave in the two month period it took the SVR management to make up their mind and change the event. Damage has been done, I hope that is recognised and considered something important to correct if possible by the powers above. In the mean time, it does open up some more possibilities ...

Inspiring-Images1-031816.jpg by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Western region night goods ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

 

I too was at last weekends gala and did not note low attendance although the weather was poor, cold and grey. I was not however cold due to a Swedish Navy greatcoat and being kept busy. No doubt I will be rostered for September and Novemberand give my passengers a safe and comfortable journey