WSR Spring Gala 2009

Looking forward to this gala, especially Royal Scot, i have heard rumor that it will be running without smoke deflectors; can anyone back this up?
Thanks

 

It would be nice to think that Bressingham restore "Royal Scot" into a more historically accurate livery that what it's been seen in before, for what is essentially a 1950 machine with its taper boiler - so presumably it would look rather similar to 46116 "Scots Guardsman" in BR Green with smoke deflectors. I would have thought not, but I'm sure someone much more knowledgeable than me would know if 46100 would have run without smoke deflectors after its rebuild in 1950.

But on the other hand, historical accuracy might not be their thing, so it could go into LMS unlined Black without smoke deflectors - that would look pretty impressive and would give an impression of how the rebuilt Royal Scots would have looked around 1943/1944.

Actually, thinking a bit more about that black option, it would look good, so I'd go for that option! There's a photo below from the Lancashire Fusiliers website of 6103 taken in 1944 in that form.

I can't remember seeing any publicity or press releases coming from the 6100 restoration people, so I haven't got the foggiest idea as to what livery they're actually going to turn it out in - I bet you its Crimson Lake... doh! ](*,)

Cheers

Andrew

 

This is true, I was maintaing an air of wild optimism that 6100 might actually be finished by March! I presume the WSR know what they're doing by booking non-functional locomotives for the gala, so work on the basis that its coming until we're told that its not, if you know what I mean!

Regards,

Andrew

 

We have been informed already that 6100 will be in LMS Crimson Lake without smoke deflectors ala picture above. Not accurate for 6100 but not our decision either. Also if we want to see an authentic liveried Scot 46115 can be seen working every so often on the mainline.

Will be down the last saturday / sunday on Minehead platform with the 6880 team. Watch out leaflet will be about! Probably go for a ride at some point, hopefully one of the guest locos is on the Quantock Belle. Breakfast on there is spot on Prefer the Scot if poss but the A4 or Bulleid be nice either way.

 

Thanks very much Lil Bear for that bit of info. Ah well, the owners are quite entitled to go for a bit of freestyle livery if they fancy it... I'll still go for my doh! ](*,) rating, though! I'll be intrigued to see what that looks like when it eventually emerges as a working loco - I imagine it would look more like a red Jubilee?

Regards

Andrew

 

The livery will look very attractive - in the same way LMS red suits 45690 very well. Just that it's not authentic on the former, but then personally I just think we're lucky to (nearly!) have both 'Scots' on the mainline. Afterall, only a few years ago 46100 was tucked up at Diss and 46115 was a kit of parts at Tyseley...

 

Huh. You wait several decades for a glimpse of just one in steam, then two come (almost) at once!

 

I fully agree with your points there Craig that it's great that the two Royal Scots will eventually be back in steam again and indeed 'Leander' does look great in Crimson Lake, its a suberb engine which I've seen many times over the last few years on the East Lancs, and of course I'm sure 'Royal Scot' will look very attractive and will be a welcome sight on the WSR if they get it going.

Perhaps I didn't put my point correctly in my previous post, I've no objection to red locos, it's just that I completely don't understand the point of spending a truck load of cash on restoring an engine and then painting it in a livery which it would never have been seen in during its days before preservation... i.e Rebuilt Royal Scot 46100 - if the engine had never been rebuilt by BR then Crimson Lake would be great with LMS on the tender, but as such it's a totally different engine than how it was when built - different boiler, different tender, different chimney, different cylinders etc - I just don't see the point of portraying it (and other locos which have had iffy liveries in the past) as something which it isn't?

Suppose one of the other big attractions on the WSR, rebuilt West Country "Braunton" had rolled out of the workshops in Malachite green with "Southern" on the tender as per an unrebuilt Bulleid, surely people would have said thats a bit odd?!?

Perhaps its just me, maybe I shouldn't put too much emphasis on historical accuracy?

Regards

Andrew

 

Not attempting to go through the whole livery thing as its been done elsewhere, but 6100 is more recogniseable among Joe Public in LMS Livery. They aren't educated enough to know the diffeences in Original and rebuilt. They see a Crimson Lake 6100 they know they are seeing Royal Scot. Show them a BR Green 46100 and its just another steam loco.

Anyway, a question RE WSR Gala. Is there going to be a working timtable made available this year?

 

Yes - "new format colour souvenir programme which will include the complete working timetable and locomotive rosters for all four days will be available from mid-March from Minehead and at all stations during the event and priced at £2.50 per copy. "

I'll see you there - I'll be the one in the cloak and tall pointy hat (or maybe not)

WSW

 

Hi everyone,

Nothing like a few facts to get in the way of a good gossip.

On behalf of WSR Special Events Planning Team, here is an update on SSG matters.

Guest locos
60019 - confirmed, due to arrive on 17th March.
6024 - confirmed, at Williton undergoing winter maintenance.
6100 - confirmed, overhaul nearing completion. More details shortly.
30777 - not now available.
30825 - not now available.
6695 - confirmed.

We are still in talks concerning 3 other locos.
34046 is at Williton undergoing maintenance - 1700 miles so far and all well.
Rest of the home fleet ready and waiting.

Working timetables with loco diagrams, turntable stuff etc should be available by the beginning of March.


cheers
Keith

 

So you tried getting the N15 and an S15... It would have made for an interesting comparison. Oh well, there's always Eastleigh for 30777. I don't envy the group securing motive power for this event, it must be like drawing blood from a stone sometimes! At least Bittern's confirmed, with the possibility of more to be announced closer to the time. Its getting to the time when I need to think about pre-ordering tickets.

 

I don't suppose there's any chance of some inside info on some of the ideas for the 3 places you're trying to fill?

I feel so sorry for the WSR, such amazing looking line ups just haven't quite worked out over the last couple of years. I guess I've been spoilt following the Pride of Great Western Gala and then the S&D remembered. I'm just hoping this year they can source in the extra 3 (hopefully named engines) to return the WSR Spring gala to those glory days.

Whatever happens I know the guys there work really hard to put something special every year and I'm a huge fan of the railway and its Gala and I'll be there again this year supporting it as normal.

 

I suppose things peaked visitor-wise in 2007 with the "Summer Saturdays in the West" gala when the total went over 10000. The 2008 Spring Gala seemed a bit odd to me from the start, seeing as how it was actually held in the winter, so perhaps that put the mockers on it! The rubbish weather, unavailability of visiting locos and lack of 'theme' possibly put off some of the general public, so I guess it might have been seen as a bit of an anti-climax compared to the mega galas of previous years.

Although this years Spring Gala has a Big Four basis to it, I notice that the WSR publicity on the gala leaflets and on their website bills the event just as the 'Spring Steam Gala', there's no mention of a theme anywhere on it, so maybe those big themed events from the past might become a bit a rariety? Mind you, its probably just the railway covering themselves in case they're lacking any locos come March. Pehaps they should book a Black 5 or something. Anyway, the WSR's Spring Gala is actually a Spring Gala this year, so thats a good omen for a start!

Regards

Andrew

 

In fairness to the WSR the gala wasn't really held in the winter it was moved a little earlier due to the nonsense of Easter falling at virtually the earliest possible date.

Yes the weather was crap and that put people off but then again 2008 was rubbish weatherwise anyway.

The gala did suffer from being earlier than normal and other railways where locos were being sourced on probably hadn't got out of hibernation.

The final lineup was actually pretty good but the fact that they did not have a 'big name' loco made it seem less appealing to the general public, put Flying Scotsman there for example and the world and his dog go even though it wouldn't appeal particularly to me and maybe other enthusiasts.

I'm looking forward to 2008's gala, has something a bit different from the usual lineups.

Derek

 

Errrrrrr, well, as the first day of Spring is the 20th of March, I can't see that last years Spring Gala (8th-9th, 13th-16th) was held at any time other than in the Winter?

Anyway, like you and thousands of others who came to last years gala, I personally didn't find it an anti-climax, was quite happy with the line-up of engines and didn't get put off by the weather, I just was just trying to look at it from the point of view of those who didn't come last year for whatever reason.

Meanwhile, I too am really looking forward to seeing the A4 and the King etc at this year's gala and do so hope that the WSR exceed their visitor target, that'll give them a nice boost for the start of the main season.

Regards

Andrew

 

Will we be treated to an Andrew Fisher video of the event as well? That would certainly be the icing on the cake for me.
If anyone hasn't seen Andrew's work I thoroughly recommend you to seek out one of his productions. You won't be disappointed.

Regards,

Paul

 

Cheers Paul, you're obviously a man of impeccable taste!

Yes, of course I'll be doing another DVD this year, similar plot to the previous one with some material from last years Autumn galas plus this Spring's. That'll probably be the end of April at the earliest, which is mainly due to it taking at least two weeks to get the DVDs pressed, and is usually available from JP's railway emporium at Bishops Lydeard station and from young Mr. Howard's newly spruced up shopping experience at Minehead station.

Plus, there's no price increase over last year (or quite a few years, come to thing of it), still £15, so that's got to be a bargain! Factor in your 10% discount from the above if you're a WSRA member and, well, what can I say - I should buy two while you're at it!

Is that enough of a gratuitous plug for now?!?

Regards

Andrew

 

I'm assured that they are doing all they can to get more good loco's. But if they're non-availiable, either from overhaul or prior commitments , its a pity but you've just got to live with it.
I dont think the galas have 'peaked' this one promises to be as good as anything.