SVR Spring Steam Gala 17th-20th March 2017

My video of the gala today is some rather blustery conditions.

 

My video and a few photos from today at the gala!

 

34081 seems to have lost it's smokebox door number plate brackets. Still it looks Brillo though.

 

Great filming in some tricky conditions, come PM especially. Very glad you caught the 14xx / pannier combo up Eardington, was a storming run! Great to have a pannier on the valley again.

Very enjoyable gala, the top and tailed Pacifics was inspired if a little unusual! 34081 seemed to be causing a lot of trouble first thing, even stalling leaving Hampton Loaded, but a very slack timetable seemed to allow all time to be recovered. Favourite for me had to be 813 again; looks and sounds fantastic - my goodness it has a turn of speed! So good to have it back in Steam.

 

Most enjoyable as always yesterday but an hour and a half Bridgnorth to Kidderminster!

 

Enjoyed the visit of 92 Squadron, with the go faster stripes on the casing.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/32664125654/in/album-72157681549798875/

 

durr - duplicate post.

 

Yes that run up Eardington bank was the highlight of the day for us. Absolutely stormed the 1 in 100 and by far my fastest HL to Bridgnorth time ever despite the trs for trackwork.

 

You obviously weren't on the same trains as us. We had to stand on three and boarding the GWR set behind 41312 on the 1055 Kiddy at HL was difficult as it was cram standing throughout. Good for the railway but certainly not comfortable. The shuttles and locals though were fine though and it was good to talk to the (ex Nine Elms fireman?) who was driver on 34053 who gave me a spell of 'in the roof' for old times sake. Wonderful Bulleid noise if only for a short spell.

 

34081 is in fine form and gave us a superb climb to the tunnel from Bewdley on the 1515 Bridgnorth. Lovely even beat sounding just as an unrebuilt should. They are difficult beasts to handle even for an experienced driver. We watched at Arley as 34081 took over three minutes to get its train moving with lots of slipping after having to set back. But once moving it has that Bulleid unrebuilt trait of just running away into speed with little effort. OVS would be proud to see one of his finest strutting its stuff.

 

We had a good day out on the SVR yesterday. The timetable was interesting and varied but not over-ambitious, so everything ran on time.

A bit crowded on some services, but we station-hopped so we weren't stood for too long.

It was my first visit to the SVR for several years, and it was good to see how much progress is being made. The Engine House is an excellent facility, allowing close inspection of locos, a decent café and an excellent view of passing trains. Only minor grumble is the scourge of the interpretive panel that, combined with the scourge of the pointless headboard, detracts from photography.

Still, an excellent gala, so well done to all the hard-working and friendly people at the SVR.

 

I am really looking forward to her visit to the MHR in the Summer. The Alps will echo to the sound of a Spamcan hard at work again

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

Not the most passenger friendly timetable, trains crossing outside Kidderminster doesnt help the paying customer (unless both platforms blocked then thats acceptable, although more should be done to move emplty stock out so that trains can connect), some incredibly slow full length journey times, some Bridgnorth arrivals not connecting with a departure and so having to wait 40+ mins to get the same train back out again. The diesel gala timetbale is far more friendly from a travelling passenger perspective.

 

Anybody know what "emergency" has caused such a long delay?

 

No, but:

"Due to an incident near Bewdley involving the scrambling of an air ambulance, we are currently running approximately 30 minutes late. We apologise for the delay and we're sorry for any inconvenience caused. All trains will run in the same path, albeit slightly late. We will endeavour to make up as much time as possible."

Patrick

 

Thanks
I saw an heliambulance but didn't realise it was due to a railway problem.

 

Rumour was of a lineside photographer slipping on sleepers near Rifle Range Halt. The diner was heavily delayed but I think with the padding in the timetable it should be made up by the end of the day. Had two runs out of Bridgnorth, one with 34081 at a snails pace and the other with 41312 slipping all the way to the bypass - heavy loads (10 behind the Bullied) and damp rails made for quite a few challenges! Those who tried journeys other than morning starts out of Kiddy were rewarded with plenty of seats so my wife, who hates having to stand, was perfectly happy.

 

Great event, there was some real good action ! Highlights for me was the double header with 1450 & 7714 on the Friday, as mentioned above by Don. Popped backed on Sunday morning as the Mickey Mouse was on load 7 and Squadron had load 10 !

 

Excellent stuff. Pity that those train lengths couldn't have been used on Saturday to alleviate the overcrowding