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

Biased but I do like 43106, and that’s a lovely photo of it

 

Thanks very much these photos where took from my mobile phone

 

Severn Valley Railway - Spring Steam Up 2021. - YouTube

My latest footage, enjoy

 

My video and a couple of photos from yesterday's outing. Excellent weather for it, and hoping it has paid off for the railway!

 

...But clearly doesn't apply to anyone posting comments on social media who isn't associated with the railway as either employee, volunteer, member of the society, contractor etc. etc.

 

I don't know who "Macko" is as to whether they're associated with the railway or not, the original comment about policies suggested they shouldn't have commented - but if they aren't associated with the railway then they wouldn't be bound by the policy.

I'm not an employee or member, but I was aware the front end of the loco was up with the bogie out to improve access to do various jobs, but that wasn't the result of seeing anything posted online elsewhere, just good ol'fashion techniques of having a general passing interest in what's happening.

I also didn't view it as anything remarkable or newsworthy (and wouldn't have been posting online even if I had). I understand it's not unusual for visiting locos to arrive with known jobs needing attending to before going into service, or for issues to be identified during inspection after arrival. With over a week before the event there would have been time to lift the boiler and return it again if necessary. When you have the facilities to lift and move heavy objects it's not a particularly significant thing to strip big lumps down and move them out of the way. The fact the loco was out on test a few days later shows how insignificant and fairly routine it all was.

 

A few of my pics from fridays spring steam up featuring 2999 Lady of legend.
A excellent gala I enjoyed it and I hope other rail enthusiasts and families enjoyed their well deserved post 3rd lockdown day out at this S.V.R. event.
Davo 56F

 

Fair enough, although seeing as you've posted it, the railway's policy specifically lists what it means by 'Social Media', which is fairly encompassing for online avenues, but clearly the social media policy doesn't apply to anything that isn't online and/or not covered by the definitions. I know it can be hard to believe at times, but there is a world away from the internet! I wasn't aware that some reasonably routine tasks were being done before being steamed was a huge secret, I understand it was despatched to the railway with a list of what was needed attached.

 

Some of mine from yesterday

 

A steam fix was required despite the distance, so this was going to be my longest distance day out by car I had been on. I gave myself sufficient time and with light traffic on the M40 on Saturday morning arrived 1.5 hours before my departure time of 9.15am. I was advised when collecting my wrist band that I was not the first for this train and have been beaten by someone from York. After a bacon bap and a coffee in a Lady of Legend travel cup, which I purchased on the day, I headed to the platform and was directed to my carriage. Stickers on the windows indicated which table was which and their hand sanitiser, and a bag for my rubbish on the table. We departed a few minutes late hauled by 2857, after a brief stop in platform 3 at Bewdley passing 34027 Taw Valley in platform 2 we headed for Arley where we passed 2999 Lady of Legend. After the speed restriction at County Park, and crawling pass Sterns (where fellow passengers later in the day while we were travelling so slow, and I pointed out the telegraph nearly halfway down the bank), so we started to hear the loco more clearly as we approached Hay Bridge and headed up Eardington Bank. Our time a ~Bridgnorth was reduced to 10 minutes due to the train hauled by the “Flying Pig running 10 minutes late. No time for refreshments just some fresh air. We headed south behind a very vocal Ratbag on the assault of Eardington and between Bewdley and Kiddy. On arrival I headed to the bar under the canopy to purchase a pint of Hobson’s Shropshire Star, followed by an Ice cream. We headed back up the valley behind a subdued Flying Pig, where at Bridgnorth 2999 Lady of Legend was awaiting us. After quickly heading to the tearoom for some refreshments returned to the train for a lively run up Eardington Bank.2999 pulled into Highley just before 3.00pm and whistled at the start and end of the minutes silence, which was observed by all passengers in the coach I was travelling. From my seat I could see a sign for Fry’s Chocolate by Royal Appointment. A brisk run between Bewdley and Falling Sands, with a fully open fanlight meant I ended the day with smuts in my hair. A visit to the shop to purchase a four pack of Hobsons ale before heading home. Despite stopping twice on route arrived home in just over 3 hours.
A very enjoyable day, thanks to all those involved.

 

What a superb weekend it has been, many thanks to everyone at the SVR for making it happen.

The Severn Valley Railway during their 'Spring Steam Up' featuring 2999 'Lady Of Legend', 7714, 813, 6960 'Raveningham Hall', 2857, 34027 'Taw Valley' and 43106. Video footage below featured from the 16th & 17th April 2021.

Video Available Here

 

Excellent footage there Simon. It was good to see you on Saturday at Eardington? Andrew

 

I’ve mentioned seeing 43106 but seeing 6960 back at home is rather nice.

 

Great day out yesterday, thanks to the SVR for taking the gamble - the trains looked well occupied with only a few vacant seats / compartments so I hope they have done well. Others have covered the protocols in place, so I shan't repeat - but suffice to say I felt safe throughout the day. Everyone seemed to behave, although there seemed to be some musical chairs as the train emptied on the last run..which kinda misses the point and does put those people at an increased risk. 'I hadn't seen the other side' was the excuse offered!
Yesterday was of course 'home fleet only', this still provided a good opportunity to catch up with some old friends. I hadn't had much mileage behind 6960, I love 813 and I can't remember the last time I had a run behind 43106 - so it was still a good day despite missing 2999. 43106 put up a great climb of Eardington, as did 6960, but the best performance was 2857 on the last run back. Leaving Northwood crossing the power was kept on all the way past Tenbury, not shutting off until half a mile from Bewdley, wonderful and a long time since I last experienced that! The exhaust echoed all the way down the valley, with the vapour trail reflecting against the setting sun - that is the experience we have been missing. Plus, proof that one of the SVR's oldest locos is in fine fettle and that the GWR heavy freights were more than versatile! I left with a smile on my face.
As am aside, there seemed to be a lot of concern with Sterns yesterday, with a 'stop and inspect' regime in place. I hope this isn't too serious and doesn't disrupt the SVR's season.

 

Just back from a fantastic weekend, a lovely day Saturday watching trains at Bewdley, Arley and then settling down at Hampton Loade for the afternoon - great to see the station back open and my son was delighted the Paddock Railway was running that occupied him for three hours! Sunday we traveled on train 3 and had two great round trips. Huge thank you to everyone involved for organising the event and taking the chance back in January, I hope it has paid off we certainly had a great time, very safe throughout and so nice to be almost normal again. Video, photos to follow...

 

Some photos from the weekend... https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72157719023054435