WSR Autumn Steam Gala - 'A Country Railway' - Thurs-Sun 3-6 October 2019

Does it really matter that the hymek is running.... Simple answer is no. I think you're lucky the wsr are putting on a gala at all this year. If you don't like that a hymek is running don't visit simple as that.

I wish the gala all the very best
Matt

 

Two points. One, you didn’t photograph 7018 as it wasn’t running last year. Two, what’s wrong with a Hymek running this year if you photographed 7017 (which was the Hymek you are referring to).

James

 

Ok, 7017. (They all look the same to me).
I don't mind so much if a steam failure necessitates a thunderbird sub but including a diesel in the billed lineup , taken with mentions on the operations thread of "mixed traffic galas", points to a future with more diesels. I am a steam fan.

 

A diesel which has been 20 years under restoration, is literally the most prototypical loco you could have for the line in the early sixties and for those of use who like to see a transition period look to an event, fits in perfectly with the Manors and Panniers. Plenty there to like, but going by your response to other replies, I doubt you will concede this is a perfectly valid loco to have at a WSR gala.
Just to encourage the organisers, it was actually the addition of the Hymek that has tipped the balance for me to make the long trip down from Yorkshire for the weekend.

 

Interesting debate - I think everyone's got a valid point. On the one hand as a steam fan I would prefer a "Steam Gala" to be just that - 100% steam. On the other hand I appreciate that due to financial constraints it may not be possible to hire in many visiting steam locos this time so a diesel is needed in order to allow the full timetable to run. If that is the reason then a Western Region diesel hydraulic is the best possible choice.

I see that pannier 6412 is described as the "first visitor" - I wonder will there be any other visiting steam locos? A Prairie would be nice.

 

As long as WSR deliver what they advertise, what is there to complain about? We all have opinions, yes indeed.
Steam Gala with token diesel (as advertised) is still a Steam Gala - feel free to close your eyes when the Hymek comes in to view if offended
Mixed Traffic Gala - a mix of steam and diesel so everyone's a winner? Or maybe not.
Diesel Gala - Diesels but if there's a steam engine giving brake down rides in the yard - hands up who's day has been spoiled and wants to stay at home?

 

I seem to remember the WSR used to do a "late Summer weekend" event which was effectively a mixed traffic gala but using only the home-fleet steam and diesel locos. That seems to have dropped off the calendar - was it not popular?
I would imagine possibly not as enthusiasts seem to be firmly in the Steam or Diesel camp if this board is anything to go by. My personal view is I don't mind the occasional diesel if it's "heritage" but I wouldn't stir a step to go to a Diesel Gala.

 

That is really stupid quopte.. Well dont bother going , you obviously can do without the railway being there because you are so picky.. Just when the railway needs as many passengers as it can get you decide that if you get a diesel it will ruin your day,.. well heres a suggestion, get the Gala times and plan your day so that you only travel on steam. Is that to much to ask?

 

Looks like this terrific gala will go a long way in providing much needed finance.

 

(A third insult).
The question was put - what's not to like? I answered.
Why would I not go? Why do I obviously want the railway to close? Why will my day be ruined by one diesel? Where do you get all that from?
As for your suggestion, it is such an obvious thing to do that I had not even considered it.

 

Am I allowed to say that there are lots of steam only days on the WSR. However even on those days you might see the odd diesel moving about doing an engineering train or a shunt. or - god forbid - coming in from NR.
BTW - Only the other we had to be piloted to MD by a 33 due to a brake problem which we found when prepping the loco in the morning. We were able to do the return trip steam hauled.
My suggestion is: Wait for the gala timetable and then figure out your visit plans to suit.
WSR will do what it always does and attempt to put on the best show that it can. The hard work has already started, in the weeks just before the event there will be loads of extra work undertaken by volunteers to make the gala the best that it can be. A lot of us will be up very early in the morning or working until very late into the night to assure this. There will certainly be a local Brasso shortage created.

 

Bit uncalled for. Also if that's an insult what I said you must be easily offended.

 

It was nice when hymek ran on the demolition train during S+D gala. Don’t mind a diesel if it’s fits in with theme.

Could it not haul military train?

 

While I have no particular interests in 66's on the two occasions I have ridden behind one - in one case a failure on a steam charter, I have enjoyed it simply for the novelty value.

Ditto my only run behind a pair of 20's

 

I like steam, geriatric paraffin cans, modern traction, even DMU's (and trams!). The only thing I am not overly moved with is when modern traction (ie Class 66/68/70/88 etc) appear at a diesel weekend, but understand it gives one a chance to ride behind a type not normally available on the big railway. So I still attend and pay my dues, otherwise the events will stop.
Hydraulics and Deltics rate highly on my "great to see" list, can't see a problem with a Hymek or a class 33 turning up.
If all diesels look the same so a number is irrelevant, the argument could be extended to several Manors at the same event separated only by livery. We will go to travel behind, see, and photograph loco types, not a specific example, I stop number crunching/spotting over 50 years ago.
It's a gala weekend, embrace whatever turns up. If it doesn't appeal don't go, no one is forcing anyone.
Hotel booked, rover ticket application for the wife and myself on way.

 

I managed to ride behind two when Tornado suffered her infamous failure on the 90mph Ebor Flyer last year as we changed from a GBRF to a DBC loco at Peterborough. I can't say that a ride behind a 66 has been on my "bucket list" either, but like you, I thought I might as well make the most of the experience - and York is a marvellous place, whatever mode of transport you use to get there.

 

As theres only one diesel working it's common sense to say theres only one diagram so just dont travel on it, the steam that worked at the diesil gala in June I managed to easily avoid and spend the time on the locos I was interested in, Steam locos working at diesil events is unfortunately something us who have no interest at all in steam have had to become used to but believe me avoiding them is pretty easy to do, so I'm sure if your able to read a timetable you will manage and it's not as if you can travel on every train anyway

 

While I'm not over impressed by the fact that there'll be a diesel taking part in the Autumn Steam Gala, it will make no difference whatsoever to my decision to attend the gala for all four days, after all there'll be five or six steam locos taking part.

 

I think that gala was dropped because it was difficult to find enough volunteers to work at two galas within a month of each other.