Severn Valley Spring Steam Gala: 21st - 24th April 2022

Fair points although I would add that between booking tickets for rail tours and the timing schedule being published, times can be quite different meaning you take some chances with the time you're likely to have at your destination.

 

I really wouldn’t disagree with your point either, what I would say though was there any conversation between UKRT and the SVR about just doing some sort of trip to Bewdley rather than a rushed full line trip.
I’ll admit to being very biased as it’s somewhere I know rather well but it’s a rather attractive destination in its own right, and a few hours in Bewdley is never time wasted.
Just my thoughts anyway.

 

Shame 813 threw quite a serious strop and failed at Hampton Loade.

 

Not a chance to get it Bewdley during the timetable. We cant use the north end of P3 at the moment for passenger use due to an issue with the points.

 

I tend to agree, I was at the WSR once where railtour went through to Minehead using railtour stock, it just created mammoth gaps in the timetable for those attending.
I can understand both sides (tour company and HR line) wanting to maximise income, but it runs the risk of upsetting both sets of people, especially if you can not get at least one return trip. If it must be done it needs a tour passengers only train and advertised well in advance to gala attendees that there will be long gaps in the gala service at certain times. But it is hard enough to keep to time on an HR when a tour comes in on a normal day, as I have seen regularly at the Swanage and WSR.

I stopped attending the SVR Galas many years ago as they were just to busy and I was not prepared to stand. Couple of times I have gone up for either the first or last day and travelled on the regular service either side of the gala.

 

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Lovely afternoon in the Valley

 

I should have said for passenger use. We can shunt or run LE moves through but not a passenger train.

 

A great three days. Thanks to everyone who was involved.

 

I’ll have to message you.

 

Me too - I think the West Somerset decided not to have incoming railtours during galas some years ago due to the disruption they caused. However, the situation was different in that the passengers could stay on the railtour through to Minehead rather than pack into already busy service trains.

 

Some shots taken on Saturday.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72177720298353754

 

My offerings from a couple of days at the gala. Once again echoing what others have said, good to see the railway so busy, and a very enjoyable time was had, both riding the trains on Friday and out and about getting shots on Saturday. Well done to all involved.

 

RTC have through excursions to Minehead from London Paddington scheduled for 23rd July and 13th August which don't clash with gala events afaik

 

A difficult one for the SVR management to call I think. As it happened we've had great weather, no significant loco withdrawals and a consequent good turn out. It could all have been different and having paid for 2 visiting guest loco's (three originally I think) to be trailered in it would be a brave decision to turn away perhaps 500 guaranteed visitors and associated income from a railtour. I take the point about how unpleasant a crowded gala train can be but I buy a ticket for the event (pay to see the show as it were) and see travelling as a bonus - if the trains are rammed I hop along the line to watch on my motorbike. I accept that wouldnt be anything like as easy with a car and impossible using public transport .

 

Some of my favourites from the gala, featuring the 3 visitors and a shot of 75069 featured in this video. This in an enjoyable 4 day gala




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Really fantastic weekend, great to see the railway so busy, huge thanks as always to everyone involved in organising the event. Must of been a good weekend as my son spent most of the 2 and a half hour drive home on Sunday asking to go back! Bewdley and Highley Saturday morning before a round trip from Kidderminster, Bewdley, Arley, Hampton Loade and finally Bridgnorth on the Sunday. Combination video from accros the weekend, photos to follow...