NYMR Spring Steam Gala 2016 (6th-8th and 13th-15th May 2016)

The Bluebell has had to cancel its branch line gala because of the situation at Ingrow and the non-availability of alternative engines, so this is plainly a systemic problem this year and the lack of replacements for the Coal Tank and Tanner One will not have been for want of trying on the Moors' part. Bear in mind also that it isn't only a question of obtaining a loco at short notice; low loaders also usually have to be booked quite far in advance. The Swanage for example may be taking advantage of its diesel gala to carry out planned maintenance on its steam fleet, and besides which sending a loco to another line by road does not mean that it is away for a weekend. Even with a two day event you're looking at the best part of a week once prep, loading, transport, unloading, and post-transport snagging are taken into consideration, and that's a big deal for a busy railway like the Swanage at the start of the peak season.

If the gentleman in question has experience of organising galas then he ought to be aware of the challenges involved and perhaps less quick to talk down the efforts of others. Think twice, post once.

 

The same railway that cancelled 2x steam galas in 2014, citing "lack of available guest locos" and also had to forgo 30585 for this year? At least NYMR are running an event.

 

Just booked a B and B in Pickering for the Friday night. Looking forward to another visit to the line. Do the NYMR normally release loco allocations so I can plan my moves on the Friday?

 

Yes, but I wouldn't expect them until early May.

 

Quite but on the other hand look at what the WSR did recently with their gala, when a certain Black 5 wasn't available they got another, then they got an 8F at short notice. It can be done.

 

But the diesel gala is only 3x days, and then it's back to running steam.

To send a loco away though, 1x day to prepare it load / 1x day to transport / 1x day to unload & set up / steam test. Then same again for returning. So that's around 6x days of actions before a train is pulled.

Owners reps need to then be organised, but with Swanage running one of their busier events will they have the "spare" volunteers to send away?

There more to organising a gala than simply saying Loco X has nothing on that weekend, and I speak from 8 or so years experience. Yes there are occasions things can be pulled off last minute, but they are the exceptions not the rule!

 

And then there's the fact that an engine which - while perfectly well maintained - seldom gets into second valve on its home line might encounter difficulties on the Moors. There are several owners and railways I can think of who simply won't send their engines to the NYMR, not because their machines won't be properly looked after but because they will by the very nature of the line be worked harder than is usually the case and might not take kindly to that treatment. Hire fees notwithstanding there's not a lot of point in sending your engine away if it then promptly fails, and there's also not a lot of point in bringing in a gala visitor, shelling out for it, advertising it, and then disappointing people if it then turns out that through nobody's fault it isn't up to the job.

 

Many loco owners are afraid of the NYMR. The Railway has been trying to get Morayshire for years. It has visited other lines south of the border but the owners won't agree to it running on the NYMR because of the heavy work it would have to do, even if limited in load. Alun Rees, once Chief Engineer of the SVR used to also spend time driving on the NYMR. He once told me that he'd think twice about sending a SVR loco to the NYMR because they generally weren't up to it. And he should have known.

 

Don't suppose you guys could find one of the small snow ploughs to mount on the front of 45428 in keeping with the Scottish theme? That would be a lovely nod to the Scottish fives- even though it is spring!

Chris

 

Why go for a small one when you can have a proper one.

 

There are a number of people in the SRPS who would love to see the loco in action on the moors. However, as custodians, not owners, of the locomotive the SRPS have to act in the best interest of Morayshire with regards to hires and as you probably know the locomotive was very tired towards the end of her last ticket. Plans are moving forward quickly however for the overhaul so maybe in the next few years we may see her stretch her legs again, and the hire of 26038 (whilst again not owned by the SRPS but maintained and operated by) shows that there is a relationship between the two entities which can hopefully be built upon!

 

The SRPS also let us have the two Thompson's for the Gresley coach gala back in 2005, which was lots of fun! I'd love to see Morayshire on our LNER train on the Moors (in pre-war livery naturally), I'd even love to see it double heading with Repton in malachite green!

One can dream I suppose.

Equally I'd love to see our stock visit the SRPS for a run there behind the D49 too.

Sawdust.

 

I think some of what is being said here about possible visit of Morayshire may include an element of assumption, or facts which applied recently as the loco came to the end of its "10 years".

There were some unfortunate events a number of years earlier which caused embarrassment for all concerned despite being caused by 3rd party speculation but hopefully these problems are in the past and a D49 will be able to be seen on the Moors again in the future! (The Hunts were regular performers on the line I believe).

Steven

 

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I was always under the impression that the National Museum of Scotland were quite happy for Morayshire to visit provided certain "terms & conditions" were agreed, which to be honest most visiting owners might/would want. But elements within the SRPS as custodians objected to any such visit to the Moors for whatever reason. No doubt on the grounds that have already been mentioned, that the somewhat twisty, turny not to mention tortuous route. Which is part and parcel of the lines character. Mind some custodians thoroughly enjoy the challenge, for instance the Swanage crew last Autumn Gala with John Bunchs' U 31806. Which despite the water problems [which also affected the Moors home fleet too] rose to the event, they even reckoned it could well have been the hardest the engine had been work since preservation and that includes when the engine was on the Mid Hants.

 

I know this is a discussion forum, but public speculation presented as fact in certain quarters was a major factor in the initial issues, so can I ask that any further debate here be curtailed.

Many thanks

Steven

 

http://www.nymr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Scottish-Branch-Line-Gala-May-2016-v3.pdf

Version 3, now with two Battersby runs on each Saturday

 

Thanks for this. I assume that the Battersby runs are steam out and diesel home given the short turnaround time at Battersby or are they completely diesel given the shortage of steam locos?

 

Top and tail diesel and I steam I understand. Hopefully order will be altered between trips so RSG gets to power uphill as well as freewheel to Whitby...

 

Will loco allocations be available to the timetable before Friday?