WSR Diesel Gala - Friday 9th- Sunday 11th June 2017

What about some small loco's - 14/20/24/25/26/27/31 as at least they cough a bit?

Another DMU?

 

43185/43002 from GWR would be amazing. On a rake of green coaches as seen this week.

 

55007.... I'm gonna have dreams about that bad boy tonight!

 

Deltic yes please

 

Nothing over the top but this could be an idea -

Teddy on Crowcombe shuttles with the 09 top and tailing.
The Minehead/Dunster industrial shunters doing MD-Alcombe common/Dunster shuttles.

D1010
D7017
D7018
D6575
D1661
Class 50
Class 20 (or a pair)
DMU

 

Too late it's been scrapped ...again..

 

The shuttles you describe would be some trip. I was once convinced Alcombe Common was just to the east of Minehead Station but a kind fellow gently informed me that bit of wet land is Marsh Common and he pointed out Alcombe Common is to the south of Alcombe village and is some 700ft above sea level and currently lacks a railway ;-)

Steve

 

I see. It's not just me that he does this to. I must say that I'm more than just a little disappointed.

 

There's a thing called ignore, I just use that. How you keeping Will? Ok mate?

 

Nice to se you on here again. Should see you at the SVR next year.

 

Lets kick this off shall we,
Class 17 Clayton
Class 20
Class 50,

Keep the mixed class double headers to a minimum if possible, maybe a 8.00 goods,use of shunters on passenger turns, like a dunster shuttle for example,

Home Fleet plus a couple different to the line visitors, use of smaller diesels on the line that are capable of being in passenger service, with some interesting extras in the WTT,
Then you got yourself the right ingredients for a good weekend,

 

Anything from 14901, D8568, a 20, a 25, a 31, D6940, 37901, 37905, a 40, 41001, a 50, a 55 or a 73.

 

I agree the 17 would be good now running on both engines was great value on the SVR. I would like a 26 or 27 a pair of 20s would be good 20118 saltburn by the sea a favourite.

 

Something associated with the West of England? 45/46/50

A 20 or 25 would be nice - I travelled the line behind a 25 some years ago and its small enough to cough a bit

 

Unfortunately the 2017 gala again will again clash with the North Norfolk gala as it did this year. Why on earth has it not been possible to avoid such a clash again?

So, if their is to be a clash it seems prudent that what is on offer from the two railways appeals to different segments of the often fickle market.

Presumably D7018 will be featuring for the first time in over twenty years supported by the home fleet of D1010, D1661, D6575, D7017 and D9526. Thus, the event is going to appeal to those with a hydraulic or sulzer bias. A hydraulic or sulzer locomotive would thus be a sensible choice,

 

Peter, I take your point about clashing but both these events are in different parts of the country, I wouldn't say that they are in direct competion with each other, inevitable there will be clashes though with only 52 weekends in a year! Back on topic As regards visitors, might it be an idea to speak to a certain gent who's a loco owner at the East Lancs and also a member of the Diesel Traction Group? You could maybe have a convoy starting in Bury and maybe pick up a few visitors as it heads to the south west?

 

Hopefully the diesel gala isn't an afterthought or poorly thought out, like its seemed in previous years,

We don't need a theme they just don't work apart from S&D galas special stuff like that,

Just as I've already said,
Home fleet plus visitors that are a little different, doesn't need to be a first,

Early morning goods runs,
any of the passenger fit shunters on brake van rides etc,

Just something a little different is a step in the right direction,

I'm sure more people will be along to offer up ideas.

 

Sorry, for continuing off topic.

The NNR and WSR are in different parts of the country but they are in direct completion when it comes to major diesel enthusiast events. A significant number of diesel enthusiasts are willing and able to travel hundreds of miles almost every weekend if need be to attend these events. For those and other diesel enthusiasts the number of major diesel galas on bigger railways in a year is around ten. Bluebell, Gloucestershire-Warwickshire, Great Central, North Norfolk, Nene Valley, North Yorkshire Moors (2017 sabbatical)Severn Valley, South Devon and Swanage come to mind.

In 2017 the previous announced major to the WSR /NNR weekend is the Severn Valley on 18-20/5 and the next is at the Great Central on 1-2/7. In that period five weekends with two majors both on the same weekend.

Having got this element of free market competition it becomes more important than ever to give as much information as far in advance as it is possible too regarding timetables (first and last trains especially), visiting and home fleet locomotives expected to be in use and interesting extras such as shunter shuttles. Both railways are in areas were accommodation in June is in short supply which can prove very off putting for those who only commit when they have a good idea of what is planned. Of course by then the competitor may have got the business.

 

The WSR, for whatever reason, has not got the best of reputations in the diesel fraternity so rather clashing with a railway that has a better reputation, maybe it should find a weekend (if there is one available) that does not clash and work to prove it can run a good diesel gala.

 

I have a suspicion that moving it will be difficult when other events, factors like school holidays, the non-availability of ETH coaches and the like are taken into account.

But when would you suggest?

Robin