SVR Pacific Power 22nd-25th September 2016

Yes James, half empty on all trains that I saw, and all sold out they said ! I saw them turn away a family of eight at Kiddie.

 

My video of Scotsman and the other locos in action today in some changeable weather.

I also noticed the non-Scotsman trains today looked very quiet. Lineside where I was wasn't too busy either but I suspect that will change by the weekend

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07v2h2d/midlands-today-lunchtime-news-21092016 lunchtime news until 2245
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07v2h2g/midlands-today-evening-news-21092016 evening news until 1400 22/9/16

Patrick

 

The SVR are getting some good PR from the Scotsman visit with the first 10 minutes of the evening news being about the visit

 

07:09 - fiver for a tender first shot? Rip off!

 

Deleted

 

Good job I don't bet! TV stuck on me at Bridgnorth this lunchtime. Lost about 5 minutes sorting it, but soon made that back. Large numbers of people up and down the line; in fields: on platforms. Must have been about 100 on Country Park Halt!

If any of them were videoing, they would have had a superb view of my run through. No trains stop at either of the halts for the duration of the Gala.

 

Guess what - FS also had to set back at Bridgnorth on the 12.34

 

3 cylinders, eh? You'd think one of the buggers would be getting plenty of steam.

 

Hello, rethinking my plans on Sunday, what's the earliest admission time to bridgenorth please as there's usually some things of interest going on first thing? Was thinking of turning up at 8:30ish and watching the comings and goings for an hour or two. Thanks

 

Cant seem to find an official opening time but 1st train in is 8.55 back out 9.14

 

Thank you, I expect 8:30 will be fine then, if not, I'll have my nose pressed up against the glass ready!

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

Perhaps as the SVR gradually morphs into a nine-coach Pacific railway we can see the reasoning behind the restoration of diesel D9551 at Bridgnorth, ie the provision of a permanent banker out of the station limits at Bridgnorth?

Not for the GW 4-6-0's though, they don't appear to have much of a problem!

( taxi for 46118....)

 

My journey time to Bridgnorth is rarely more than 15 minutes, but despite that I had no plans to go to this event, that was until today turned out to be quite sunny.
Just my luck then that at Bewdley 60103 managed to avoid the sun by the Safari Park with the 12:34 from Bridgnorth. Anyway I went back for a shot leaving Bridgnorth at Daniels Mill this evening on the 7:05.pm (sunset at Shrewsbury today was 7:09pm). A real shame the engine's second trip of the day didn't take her up to Foley Park just before sunset, can't help feeling the SVR missed an opportunity for some great publicity images assuming the weather played ball over the weekend.




Anyway a few observations on today :-

I parked at Blackstones Picnic site at Bewdley rather than drive up to the event car park at the farm because I didn't intend to stay long, there are however some travellers camped at the Picnic site. Maybe the fiver at the farm would be worth it.
I don't think I've ever seen as many Police cars in the Valley as I did today.
All the usual parking spaces by the railway were well filled, although I did stop at Hay Bridge on my way home and within minutes was asked twice if you had to pay to park there. Several people I spoke to did seem to think the charges for field parking were excessive.

 

Are you suggesting the SVR should have written its timetable to account for sunset at a particular place?

 

AS if ! - just an observation.

 

I had 2 great days up at the SVR, and although I haven't had time to edit all of my photos, I thought I'd upload this one from this afternoon of Tornado approaching Orchard Crossing with the teaks in glorious sun.



James

 

Seriously?

Have you any idea how complicated it is to arrange any Gala timetable? Making it all work is complicated enough: I doubt if anyone was thinking about sun angles.

 

Scotsman on the teaks in the Valley 22 September 2016

My news today is that I’ve witnessed the real start of steam trains as theme park tourism. As I arrived at Kidderminster station, the large booking hall was arrayed with all the paraphernalia for hundreds of people to queue in line for the big ride in the Pacific Power event, haulage by Flying Scotsman and Tornado. The latter is not used to playing second fiddle, so let’s call it a double A side event.

With their customary politeness and good humour, the SVR volunteers guided, cajoled and shepherded the multitudes gathering for the second train of the day, brought into Platform 1 by Tornado. From our queue we could only see the top of its smokebox but when we were guided towards our seats on the train, we were delighted to note that the rake comprised nine of the magnificent Gresley teak coaches which the SVR has nurtured so well. A complete LNER experience awaited, and as we were herded into our coaches we had struck lucky, a magnificently restored GNR corridor composite coach, No 2701 from 1922. Sadly our allocated compartment was third class.

Tornado took us away on time and we began to notice the huge crowds gathered all along the line to admire us, including three elephants and a rhinoceros in the theme park. In the second coach we heard Tornado manage her load competently, with the occasional pleasing turn of speed. We stopped at no intermediate stations but the crowds at each of them were even greater than those arrayed across the countryside. The two Bulleids and two Manors were passed on service trains.

At Bridgnorth I elbowed my way through the crowds for some photos, but the directional bright sun did not help these. On the return run we could not hear Scotsman so clearly, but enjoyed a beautiful day in the Valley on the journey back to Kidder. Hundreds more people were queued ready for the third of four runs today - around 7000 people being expected during the long weekend. It had been a great day out, and the prospects for even more public interest in steam seemed good.

16 photos are at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p928281187

Peter on another sunny morning in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com