Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala 21st-24th September 2017

I agree with all of the above. It was a very brave timetable, but also very rewarding.
I have visited every autumn gala since 1993 and it was the first time I have seen 4 trains at Arley at once!

I will be very interested to see the attendance figures as it was exceptionally busy yesterday and sounds similar today.

Loco wise the visitors were unusual and perhaps risky with no 'big name', but I enjoyed them. But once again 813 was star performer for me with a lovely after dark run on four teaks.

The Severn Valley was back doing what it does best this weekend, I hope their risks have been well rewarded - I suspect they have!

 

The wall lost the argument.

 

It appears so...! Courtesy of the Bash Mash on Facebook...


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A very enjoyable day yesterday, sample hauling the 7802, 7812, 43106, 813 and 926. While the timetable did slip by about 30mins, didn't spoil anything and as fair as I could see nothing was cancelled as a result just everything pushed back a bit (as it should be, galas are entertainment not a public transport).

 

Enjoyed the visit yesterday.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/37280538671/in/album-72157687097677543/

Repton crossing The Severn.

 

A great show, thanks to all who were involved.

 

Deleted problem with video...

 

A generally very enjoyable Saturday on the SVR, so well done and thank you to all who worked hard to make it happen. A nice selection of visiting locos, and I enjoyed having something a bit different to look at; can we have the Y14 back at a future gala, please? The weather was a bit up and down, but perfectly acceptable for this time of year. Pleasantly busy well into the evening, but not generally unbearably so. I was a bit uncertain when I initially saw the timetable, but for the most part it worked very well and meant there was usually something happening wherever you were. That was the case all through the day, too; the action wasn't all stuffed into six hours around lunchtime.

The timetable slippage was a little bit of a shame, but 20-ish minutes is not something worth getting het up about. Unfortunately it did get worse in the evening, with the 8pm train from Kidderminster almost an hour late departing. That was a bit trying, as you usually only expect delays that long after emergencies or major failures. Luckily the weather was kind and so the large crowd still present, including several young children, bore the wait with relative equanimity. I'm sure the reasons for the delay will be looked at by the appropriate people and remembered for next time. I'd definitely rather have an interesting timetable like this even if it has a few niggles.

That late delay was the only real disappointment and the pluses far outweighed the minuses. Looking forward to March already!

 

I had a most enjoyable day at the SVR yesterday, Saturday 23rd. As mentioned above, the delays that occurred in the evening were the only negative, though I did enjoy the opportunity to take a few night shots . I have just uploaded a selection of images from the day to my Zenfolio website at: - http://mickrogers.zenfolio.com/p901330985



Many thanks to all who took part and especially to those who had to work the evening and overnight services.
Cheers,

 

The night time running was the major pull for me setting a personal challenge to see just how much of it I could enjoy. Fair to say after getting just an hour and half of sleep since Friday morning I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Plenty going on during the nights - a very well optimised timetable throughout! Thanks to the SVR and their 24 hour volunteers

 

Heartily agree with earlier comments - a wonderful event with something going on all of the time. Spent 3 hours at Bewdley on Saturday afternoon and don't think there could have been anything else added! The signalmen at North Box must be exhausted!!
Also traveled on 'overnights' and again really enjoyed this experience which only the SVR does. Got off a southbound train at Highley and waited about 40 minutes for northbound service - magical, with calls of Tawny Owls and Red Deer eventually interrupted by signal box bell calls and the sound of SKP leaving Arley and working all the way lasted for nearly 10 minutes. This will live with me for a long time and thinking about it still makes the hairs stand etc!!
Thanks so much for the hardwork and dedication of everyone involved : every visitor I spoke to (including fellow enthusiasts and family groups of all ages) were having a brilliant time! I have bought some more shares on the strength of this weekend and would urge everyone who can, to do the same or make a smaller donation. Thanks SVR!

 

You obviously weren't behind me and 7812 on 10 Mk1s today.

 

Drove up this morning especially for that ! Sounded great up Eardington.

 

Just returned from another very well run Gala, as usual the film will be in the pipe line. There is one thing that I think is starting to let down SVR Gala's and the Pity is it should, and tries to be one of the key features and stations for SVR and SVR Gala's, which is a pity after the railway has spent a large amount of money on the station is recent years, namely I am speaking about about Highley and the Wall of treas that has been planted around most of the viewing area's , with the result that was once a major draw to the station, namely the grandstand view from around the museum area is totally block out, with only the balcony viewing area left, but will soon be gone as well unless the railway address the issue. As a result you have to struggle to get a glimpse of the action from the side fence, not that this will last as I noticed several bushes have now been added. I would strongly recommend the railway removes most of the treas and undergrowth leaving just the strategically placed tree before the station effectively disappears from our the public's places to visit and becomes but a distant memory for us older enthusiast who remember the days when you could see trains at Highley, apart from the static one's in the museum.

Note: I nether like to criticise publicly any heritage railway and it is with grate reluctance I do, but I fear unless I raise the matter Highley will effectively become a backwater for the railway instead of show piece the railway has invested in recent years.

 

As usual an excellent gala from the Severn Valley, who have a scale to their events that nobody else matches. All the visitors played their part and it is difficult to pick a favourite though Bluebell was great fun - pity it had to be limited to two carriages as they did tend to be very full. A good timetable this year I thought.

Roll on the Spring Gala!

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Video this time without the end cut off

 

Yes, it sounded pretty good from where I was. I don't suppose you have any video?
Regards,

jtx

 

Excellent gala! SVR back to form. Nobody does Galas better! Heaving Friday and Saturday. Plenty of aural fireworks, especially with 813 after dark.

I rode from 1st train Thursday to last but 2 on Sunday. Walk on breakfasts (x2) also very tasty. I met some very interesting company and some old friends. The most special moment however was a short ride in the tender of Prince, which probably need a longer line. Maybe next year, now that pesky wall has been dealt with. Only joking.

Thanks, SVR. We missed this last year. Keep it up.

 

Any kind soul PLEASE list what worked the NORTH & SOUTH freights
on the Friday evening??,
TIA Neale