[Apr 15, 2021] Spring Steam Up 2021 (Severn Valley Railway)

Scheduled for the 18th.

 

HR just arrived, inside is a half page SVR advert for the Gala,stating that 2999 is the guest loco.

 

So one could say the SVR media team should have been more on the ball and made their ‘big reveal’ earlier. Unusual for the SVR because in most ways they are very savvy in regards to using modern media.

 

And yes, it is of course 2999. It will be doing a bit of test running prior to the gala.

 

Presuming the gala is going to be cancelled following Boris's announcement last night. Can anyone confirm whether it is or not? Thanks in advance.

 

Why? April 12th seems to be the magic date for running trains looking at the plan, assuming things go well.

 

Management is looking through the documentation to see what the railway is allowed to do. Expect an official announcement soon (this evening/tomorrow)

 

It should be fine. 29th March the stay at home restriction ends and 12th April non essential and hospitality opens up again. I'm looking forward to going to SVR on 17th April.

 

That's not what it says. It's outdoor attractions from 12 April.

 

The show must go on! Statement here: https://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=958

Thanks,
Lewis

 

What about passengers have booked a table rather than a compartment?

 

They will travel at a socially distanced table in an open carriage, and must wear masks.

Thanks,
Lewis

 

Just out of interest is the railway refunding those that live too far away to get there and back in a day? I assume the railway would not be wanting to encourage people to drive many hours at risk to themselves and others so they comply with the "only stay in a self catering accommodation" requirement set by the government for those dates.
For example if I had planned to attend I would not contemplate travelling to and from Swanage in a day, but I may well have booked a hotel for at least one night in more normal times.

 

Travelodge is still accepting bookings AFAIK. I booked a hotel weeks ago and haven't had an email saying it has been a cancelled booking. Heard of other peculiar stories recently so I think its fine at the moment

I fully still intend to travel up from Croydon its a difficult thing to get back by midnight. Refuse to only do two round trips anyway. Particularly if I want to travel behind 2999

 

Can I ask what you mean by this statement? It comes across as very selfish.

 

Selfish wasn't my intention nor any insult. But I'll explain below probably with some crappy literature and grammar.

Original plan was for me a few of my mates (we bought a compartment) was to come up on one day only. When we checked our timings for network rail It would of been too close for comfort for the 9:15am train from Kidderminster. So we all pre-booked for the 10:05 instead to allow us ample time to get to the SVR without rushing. So where the 2999 bit in my comment comes in is that it is rostered each day as the E loco which on that particular consist will be the final round-trip departure from Kidderminster, (34027 on return) and travelling behind the VIP guest is one of the reasons I booked tickets for the gala (shared with 6960). So if I had to do one day (if the hotel we now have was to cancel on us), I would have no choice but to do just-the-two round trips and miss going behind Saint.

Even if I did do the final round trip of the day between the planned timetabled arrival at KR and my network rail train home would be within only a few minutes so if there would be any delay and I miss that train, I'd be stuck in KR overnight (hence why a hotel is needed).

 

That post raises significantly more questions in my mind, about what is expected for rail travel, hotel accommodation, and being in groups as part of the relaxation of lockdown. This event should be (remember that the "roadmap" dates are subject to data being good enough) at the beginning of "stage 2", when the only accommodation allowed to open for holidaymakers will be self catering for members of the same household, and hotels will not be open except to people making essential journeys.

For mid April, I am still looking at any trip I might make being on the basis of driving out and back on the same day, with no hotel option and only travelling with members of my own family. Much as I'd like to go to this event, I suspect it will be beyond my effective limit (2 1/2 hours drive each way). I would not contemplate doing so with friends not part of my household or "bubble", especially if then sharing a compartment all day.

YMMV but I would personally regard that itinerary as having one too many links in the chain that could break and disrupt.

 

Indeed. As noted above I DO have tickets and we live less than an hour away. I sincerely hope that other groups in other compartments will be following the law - just because the SVR is able to operate will not mean that other rules can be thrown asunder.

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