SVR General Discussion

Ok - I’ll bite...

This Wednesday on FR/WHR : 2 ladies, 2 fairlies, 2 garratts. Been at that level since mid July - the high summer service.

6 locos per day, all steam... Close?

 

two railways, doesn't count in my book.

 

All pass through the same station (Porthmadog), based at the same shed, worked by the same crews, maintained by the same fitters...

Officially 2 railways, sure. In practice- nah

 

I'm a Ffestiniog fan anyway (not so much the WHR except the scenery is nice) but the FR has nice original locos and is very good in all respects. As an aside, I was amused to view a quite well loaded train pass me with absolutely no one in the nice old original carriage tagged on the back, that's where I'd have been.

By the way one way the SVR scores is in train frequency, I don't think they could squeeze any more paths in

 

Why have you started so many threads when the pics you've posted could have just gone into the main threads?

 

Is that 1990s NSE moquette in that coach?!

 

The densest possible service frequency is one full line train every 40-45 minutes or so; you can squeeze in extra Kidderminster-Bewdley shuttles on top of that. The governing factor is journey time between Arley and Hampton Loade: 16 minutes section time, plus station stop time at Highley.

The busiest SVR timetable is the Santa service, with trains every 30 minutes in each direction, but no service North of Arley.

 

Can the Highley goods loop be used to pass goods trains and other non passenger traffic if required? Or is Arley to Hampton Loade only one token section.

 

I was thinking in terms of passenger train frequency really. Highley yard is often used particularly to cross light engines heading to Bridgnorth.

 

Although I'm mainly a steam enthusiast it was good to see 40.106, the BR green class 40, in service at the valley yesterday. The loco was hauling a full rake of blood and custard coaches.

As the loco passed Ivatt class 43106 it could almost have been the mid 1960s. <BJ>

 

For those who wish to ride behind 40.106 the steam heating boiler is operational so trains this half term will be as warm as toast

 

The 2019 timetable available here:
https://www.svr.co.uk/pdf/Brochures/SVR Preview 2019.pdf

 

Also included with the copy of SVR News which arrived in today's post

 

The SVR seems unusual to me in that it runs the same timetable on a grey February as the height of the summer season, most lines adjust seasonally much more. Any suggestions as to why that is?

 

SVR timetables have simplified a bit in recent years - not long ago there were three or four different timetables, not two. The strategy seems to have moved towards adjusting the set lengths at quieter times of year, and using smaller locos to suit, rather than changing the service frequency as much.

Bear in mind that given the line's length a loco in steam can at most only really do two full round trips during a day, because each round trip will probably take about 3hrs. This really does limit the options for altering the service frequency too much without producing large gaps between trains. Bear in mind too that the railway's Footplate Experience calendar is also very popular and takes up one train path on quite a few operating days.

 

When I first started, there were up to 5 different timetables!
The two we have for next year have been well tried and work well. Also note that on 'A' the second set of KR will be diesel in the low season and steam in the high season.

 

Spent an enjoyable couple of hours at Bridgnorth this morning. Here is my effort of 6990 ‘Witherslack Hall’ leaving with the first train of the day.

Merry Christmas to everyone at NP☃️

 

Crossed that at Hampton Loade on our way to the Railwayman’s Arms.
Now awaiting departure from Bridgnorth but can’t say I’m impressed with the couple viewing Dick Dastardly on their tablet at full blast.

 

I am sure you would have the backing of others in the coach if you politely told them to stop being arseholes and turn it down