SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

WTF?

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I was hoping this would have been quietly shelved and maybe a small statement put out about how no name really fitted the vision but no they're steering straight into it.

 

It’s gone national…https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-60325576
Which I’m guessing is the idea.

 

In 1977 a Pannier Tank was painted silver for the Silver Jubilee at Bulmers

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5786, which funnily enough was briefly based at the SVR.

 

Bit early for April 1st though.
Ray.

 

Has it been sold to Porterbrook?
They operated some Purple stock didn't they?

 

A few locos and the Deltic. Purple is not a great colour on a locomotive and I can't work out why. I'm all for variety but theres probably a reason why purple was never seen on locomotives or rolling stock in the past (at least I cant think of a pre-grouping example in that shade).

 

IF you have a fb account. Some of the comments on the SVRs main page make for fun reading.

I dont see an issue with it. It brings in publicity, news cameras, now on the bbc website so it will be seen by more people.

People need to remove the rose tinted spectacles and realise without these money making exercises. Railways wont survive.

Nobody complained when we painted locos in Thomas blue?

 

Just so long as the repaint is temporary (B&H Buses had a brace of 'gold' double deckers for the 2002 jubilee and the sky didn't fall in), but it's the highlighted bit which may be open to misinterpretation. Please just tell me no-one is suggesting a TTTE style Brenda face to cap the look off!

There have been similar comments regarding the departure from conventional timetabled operations, in favour of 100% pre-booked 'excursion' trips during the pandemic. I "get" the concerns, I really do, but ...... when it comes to non-traditional liveries, these hare a long tradition themselves. That's scarcely limited to the heritage sector (GN&SR "Railway Children" garb, anyone?), nor to 'the big railway' to the modern era.

The LNWR (AFAIK, to mark Queen Victoria's 1897 Jubilee) had specially red and white liveried 'Greater Britain" class locos, complementing the Caley's blue, to present a 'patriotic' line-up for the West Coast's London-Glasgow express.

The LNER had their silver locos, for the 1935 Jubilee.

Stratford broke the all-encompassing BR corporate image with the "Stratford Special", first applied to a Class 47, back in 1977. I recall that one going down rather well.

..... and let's not even mention Polar Bear's "interesting" fairground livery, applied .... and lest anyone think the current management are in any way culpable in this crime against good taste, I wish to stress this point ..... this was done by the original GGR in 1962. If you've never seen it, don't ask because it can't then be unseen!

 

I wish I could find reference to the livery one of the Project 62 tanks was to be restored in.

 

Well the purple paint job idea has already generated lots of publicity and this will increase the footfall/income of the SVR. When the locomotive actually appears there will be even more......so a success. It is only for a few months and I would like to see it as well!

 

Where do we vote for the name? I will submit famous purple characters: either Tinky Winky or The Joker.....

With the way the general public vote for names for things like this (boaty mcboatface FFS!) I would love to see some of the suggestions entered for this event.

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Nothing is "preserved" or "saved"
This is just a theme park cashing in on people .

 

Isn’t this what most of our heritage railways do?
What else do you propose to do get the cash to enjoy things like gala’s or more importantly secure the long term future of our hobby?

 

On the SVR Facebook groups a figure of £20k is mentioned for the repaints

An interesting note from one of the owners (and SVRH director) in the latest newsletter, that they know it will upset some people. The SVR acknowledges it is divisive and it's a price they're willing to pay.
https://www.svrlive.com/blfeb22

My position's unchanged. The owner can repaint their engine. The SVR's decision isn't one I would have made.

Patrick

 

Yes, that is just what all private steam railways do - they are all theme parks.
Why do you think there is any long term future in this business ?

 

“Half my advertising spend is wasted; the trouble is, I don't know which half.”

There's no footfall to increase atm as passenger services don't restart until April.

It's not a guarantee that such publicity will increase the footfall/income (actually, net profit) or that it's measurable. You're into the territory of ROMI and “Half my advertising spend is wasted; the trouble is, I don't know which half.”

Patrick

 

I brought this up last time but how much extra is going to bring in? Thats £20k in extra tangibly measurable revenue to be found on top of whatever ends up lost from people being turned away by it. As I've said before, filling your pants with excrement for attention is still just filling your pants with excrement.