SVR Spring Gala 16th - 18th March 2018

With set C

 

To clarify the above. The King will be tested with the blood and custard Mark 1s that are currently at Bridgnorth until the end of the month.

 

SVR WTTs aren't what they were. I was worried when I saw BY-KR locals appear on the site before they put the times up. Can't see me going, just hope they run 6023 on that Open Weekend!

 

Can I assume by looking at the timetable that there are no freight runs this year?

 

Oh no. Was hoping to see the king on freight train

 

Last round trip at 16:35? Luxury! At the recent Mid-Hants Gala the last round trip from Alton was at 14:45 and from Alresford at 15:05.
It was still an excellent gala, even if the weather was atrocious. (hmm.. no emoji with an umbrella)

 

Don't get me wrong, I want the SVR to succeed and I have supported numerous appeals plus I'm also a shareholder. But elsewhere I'm a gala organiser myself (have been for 10 Years now!) and so spot things others may not, and I'm judging this event against previous events.

2018 event has 6x visitors with 2x home based locos in action and last round trip off KR at 1635.
Apart from the Bellerophon shuttles, there is no other interest down the line operationally.
An Adult ticket is priced at £29 for this.

2017 had 3x visitors with 7x home based locos in action and the last round trip available being at 1900 off KR.
There was shuttles, brake van rides at Highley, plus a demo Goods at certain points during the day.
All for the Adult price of £26.50 per day.

6x guest locos is great and I'm sure this event will make a healthy return. But there's more to galas than getting as many engines as you can together, and SVR SSG 2018 in my view is a much reduced event to what the SVR normally offers despite an increase in ticket price.

 

With so many visiting locos I'm not that surprised the ticket price has gone up. Each to their own I suppose but I decide whether to attend galas based on what's running rather than whether it's "operationally interesting". For me this gala is a must as I've never seen 6023 or 8572, haven't seen 61264 for over 10 years and have only seen 80072 once.

 

I'm with you on this one. It's what's running, especially guest locos, that are the main attraction for me at a gala. "Operationally interesting" isn't much of a draw, indeed some "Operationally interesting" timetables are sometimes a bit of a headache when trying to work out a plan of campaign about when and where to ride and photograph the locos on my "must ride behind & photograph" list.

 

The SVR need to attract the armchair and non enthusiasts, this lineup and timetable all but confirms this ! Relying on hardcore steam enthusiasts to fill seats won't make this event a success, the railway is now a tourist attraction, like many others.

 

......and what is wrong with it being a tourist attraction? Isn't that what most if not all of our heritage railways are? If they relied on income from "hardcore enthusiasts" most of our steam railways would have gone bust by now. Steam railways are enjoyed by many people who don't know a King from a Bulleid Pacific!

In any case I disagree that the lineup is not of interest to an enthusiast. What exactly is not to like with a lineup which includes a King, a B1, a B12, an A1 etc.....?

Well I'm looking forward to it anyway - if people don't like what's on offer there is no obligation to attend!

 

Nothing, I have no issue with the lineup/timetable ! It was just an observation.

 

I agree that it's guest locos that draws me to a gala above anything else, although now that I've sat down to start planning out my campaign the timetable's not hugely inspiring. Ah well.

Anyone have any idea when the full WTT might be available please? Carriages are just as much of a draw as the locos on the SVR, especially when everything's matching (even if it is a fully authentic 1930s LNER train on a GWR branchline!).

 

I've raised the question with the SVR

Regards

Patrick

EDIT: I think it'll be added to SVRLive imminently, I've suggested it also goes on the website

 

Didn't spot your edit, but idly checking this evening noticed it's now up, thanks.

 

Is there any way to do this for online booking, or is that getting too complicated!? As there's only a box for SVR membership number. No worries if not.

 

I doubt it, the instructions which mention it are for in person (booking office and TTI).
Also you avoid the booking fee.

 

Thanks, will make sure I arrive with enough time then.

 

WTT now available at:

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/acbe94_41f4c49540a749288dca7a57a178f2e2.pdf

 

How long is the king there for?