SVR Autumn Steam Gala 16th-19th September

Failed apparently. Taw takes its place.

 

If you werent on the first overnighter ex-KD on Saturday night with 2857 in charge you missed THE run of the gala

 

Was on that trip as well as the one this morning. Was a cracking run

 

"Oh well, never mind" doesn't pay the bills which it seems they are desperate to cover, James.

I also fear for the Wagon Dept as surely the railway will say there is no need to restore wagons anymore.

 

4953 failed

34027 taking 4953s services

7714 working 34027s.

Goods cancelled

 

Thanks.

 

A phone shot of 4953 rolling over Victoria Bridge yesterday evening.

 

A few scenes from yesterday, the highlight being the two Hawksworths up Eardington.

 

This management have made their decision regarding charters. No amount of huffing and puffing on Nat Pres is going to change that.

For the record, I’d probably have done a day with the Hall on a charter had there been some. But there aren’t. Therefore, I suggest we forget about charters and get on with our day.

James

 

Here's my footage of the Gala, filmed on Thursday and Saturday. The highlights being a beautiful evening sunset run of Pitchford Hall on Thursday and a fast roaring climb up Eardington Bank by 9466 on Saturday. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

My footage from the Saturday of the event, the highlight in my opinion being 9466 & 1501 thrashing the 5:50pm service out of Bewdley.

 

My offering from the Friday and Saturday. Enjoy!

 

The predictable post gala question..

Do we know when either of the visitors are likely to leave & /or if they are likely to operate further services?

I know 9466 has an appointment with the Lickey incline in November, I am guessing it will need a mainline test run beforehand?

 

Mods - everything from #176 is probably better moved to the SVR General Discussion thread?

Thanks

Patrick

 

9466 is rostered for this weekend.

https://www.svr.co.uk/MeetTheLoco.aspx?id=102

 

A belated post, I visited on the Friday and enjoyed my day. The good weather helped. As others have said, numbers were noticeably down on ASG Fridays of yore - no cramming into the corridors - though in the afternoon sunshine especially the railway was hardly empty. Although I don't know how this affected numbers and the all important railway bank balance, I did appreciate being able to get a seat more easily than sometimes. From a purely selfish perspective it was a comfortable experience.

The simple timetable was completely understandable in the circumstances, especially with the late change to hop on, hop off. I was one of those who was happy with 6233 being switched for 4953, and though 9466 wasn't such a draw (3 Panniers is fine but not exciting to me) it was a perfectly decent choice. A real shame 813 failed so early, as I was looking forward to my first ride with that for 2 years. Oh well. On the positive side a special mention for 75069, which provided my best run of the day early on.

Only a couple of small complaints. Although again understandable in the circumstances, it was a slight shame that day tickets were not valid midnight to midnight as in past years. The timetable leaflet perhaps did not make it clear enough that the main Highley restaurant was closed - I overheard one or two people expressing slight disappointment when discovering on arrival that nothing heartier than soup and sandwiches was available.

A good experience overall, and I hope when/if the spring gala comes around the SVR can build on this experience. A few passenger locals would be welcome, for example. It's been very good to have something approaching a "proper gala" back though, and thanks go to all at the railway who helped make it happen.

 

A few shots from the Gala from all four days: