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

I do think it's quite irresponsible of the SVR to hold this event, especially with 2999. There will be lots of people congregating at lineside locations for sure.

 

People congregating on public footpaths is hardly the SVR's responsibility. That's down to the people who go there to stick to social distancing rules.

 

This isn't a comment on whether it is or isn't responsible to run the event, but I would say that it is the SVR's responsibility to be risk assessing how the public behave when viewing the event, normally this wouldn't need much of a thought, but at this time does need more consideration. If you are creating an event, which will attract crowds, you need to consider how they will behave, whether on your land or not, it is your event which is causing that behaviour. Not something they can really manage, but something they needed to and no doubt would of (there is a section on "I don't have a ticket, where can I see the trains" in their event FAQ) weighed up and assessed before making the decision to go ahead.

 

I don't see the financial benefit of steaming 7 locos, especially risking hiring one (where the likelihood is the gov will do a u-turn/push the date back).

As they would have been shut for 4 months by that point, and nearly 6 months since the last regular services, people would want to turn up and go for a visit anyway.

Then there's the adding pressure to public transport (if that is even allowed.. we do not yet know), not thinking of local communities, before you even consider the potential to cause, in effect, a 'SVR variant'.

Also, the whole are different households allowed to mix thing. Can't see many people wanting to pay £120/140 for compartment for just themselves or two people.

People may think I'm being too over the top, but I do think its a case of trying to run before you can walk.

There's also a higher risk of accidents/incidents/problems, looking at it from a health and safety point of view, due to the lack of time since the last notable operation.

 

There were plenty of us at Northside Lane crossing, one of the few publicly accessible spots on the Mid Hants, when Bahamas visited for the railway's autumn gala and I'm glad to inform you that I'm till alive and so (as far as I am aware) is at least one other poster on this forum who was there....

....And the Mid Hants gala more than broke even, so based on hard evidence from the only previous attempt to hold a "social distanced" gala with a visiting engine, I see no reason why the SVR gala shouldn't do likewise. Also, the sheer feel-good factor of the event cannot be expressed in monetary terms
.

 

Travelodge, Premier Inn are accepting bookings because its up to the guest to stay only when allowed to do so. Leisure stays are not allowed. The places will not cancel any bookings-its up to individuals to do that if they don't comply with the requirements.

 

You can always book a holiday cottage, caravan or AirBnB, as they're self contained accommodation and you don't mix with other guests.

 

I don't think your going over the top, you are fully entitled to your own opinion.

As for the case of galas socially distanced it can be done if everyone is sensible enough on both the lineside or the railway itself. Again Mid Hants proved it was very much possible and that was a cracking weekend. Everyone all had a fair chance to go on everything for the same amount of mileage and all showed social distancing as well as masks (unless of course exempt as per myself) I don't think they could've done things any better than they did. Pretty certain someone at the SVR contacted MHR to ask how they are getting on. It worked. I can't see why SVR can't do it. It all depends on peoples sensibility.

 

Indeed, it does depend on people’s sense, and I would suggest their willingness to obey the law when making their arrangements to visit. I suggest though that you may want to reflect on what you’ve said, what the government is saying, and consider how they apply to the questions you’ve asked here given the circumstances you’ve outlined.

When doing so, I’d also think carefully about how what you’ve said reflects on how others think of the SVR, perhaps using posts on this thread as illustration of those reactions.


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Between sending the post last night and this morning. I already altered hotel/accommodation circumstances.

 

Fair enough, and I was not wishing to get into a discussion of your personal circumstances - that would be unfair on you when I strongly suspect others may be making similar plans.

My choices of events this year will be made on a number of factors. One of those will be to do with my comfort about how my behaviour fits with what I am being advised is sensible and reasonable in the circumstances. That will probably mean I do less than I might otherwise do, and more locally.


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Autumn last year things were very different to now. Railways had been running for several months by that point. A national lockdown wasn't in place when they were trying to promote the event.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it.

This more than likely will be academic anyway, schools all heading back a week Monday in England for three weeks. That is madness.

 

I respect you for expressing your opinion, which you are fully entitled to do. I too have a very cautious attitude to the pandemic, but I booked on this immediately and can not wait.. Let me explain why.

The SVR needs to launch its season and hosting a special event gives publicity, a feel good factor amongst volunteers and gives everyone a bit of hope to work towards. People need to be tempted back out and reconnect with the railway.

Is it unsafe? The reality is they are running 3 trains a day, 3 times up and down the line. Numbers are limited to the seats on the train. People are spread out over 16 miles. Masks will be worn when not in compartments. The Mid Hants proved it could be done and the SVR proved they could run a safe service all last year. They received many plaudits online. The capacity of each set is a similar number to what you could encounter in your local Tesco. Pinch points such as toilets need to be managed, refreshments are likely to be external only - however, the SVR coped well last year.

Yes this is advertised as a special event, but on the day they are dealing with similar numbers of people as last year in 'normal' service.

Will it be profitable? I suspect they will be happy if it washes its face. However, if it kick starts the season and improves morale - that is priceless.

We have got to start somewhere...

 

Hi Alan, they've been careful to say it's an event and not a gala, as you say they are dealing with similar numbers of people as last year in 'normal' service. They associate gala with a lot of stuff they won't be doing and won't be allowing people to do.

https://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=953

Cheers

Patrick

 

Indeed the numbers per train will be same as last year's running (dependent on exact formation). Those numbers are a lot less than the SVR would normally see on a busy gala.

 

Financially speaking - I would’ve thought operating a gala in this format would’ve been very easy? When you weigh up the expected operating expenditure against a capped footfall, you can then produce a fee to charge to at least break even. Based on that figure there is then the ability to determine if maybe more can be charged to make a profit on the event. Of course there is still the risk of expected footfall not racking up to break even, but in the light of the recent steam drought it’s a low risk.

 

Thanks Patrick and I have altered above post to reflect 'event', indeed they have been very careful to advertise as such.

 

Hiring 2999 is a financial risk, unless the plan is for it to stay at the SVR for sometime.

 

Not really, as @Will RL says, with this event format, it's easier to predict income than normal, and so much easier to determine whether a particular action is a risk, and if so, to not do it.

 

When you hire in a locomotive for a gala, generally you will want to get the maximum use of of it, and that might mean, arranging a photo charter, after the gala, if the engine is not returning as soon as the event is over, whilst it may cost a lot to hire in a guest loco, that cost is offset by ticket sales and other activities, the exeption is where you have an engine that is also booked elsewhere and arrives just before the gala, and leaves on the very next working day after the week end,