SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

Yeah, I take both points, just not sure how well it sits with the message of frugality the railway is putting out to visitors and volunteers.

How much of an extra incentive to attend is it having 813 double head with 7714 when 813 will be out again a couple of weeks later at the Spring gala?

Of course we're limited in terms of double heading by our infrastructure anyway. 7714 is quite capable of taking 7/8 coach sets independently... I think the main reason for 813's addition is "the show".

None of this by the way is intended to knock 813, which is always a delight to see working!

 

CN1 is L(N)ER 7 coaches, 237 tons. 7714 can take 250 tons - 7 coaches (8 LMS) and so, yes, it could take it solo.

Yes too, to both

 

Nothing in the WTT or TN https://www.svrlive.com/operations (steam isn't operating the brakevan rides and no goods is operating, as I understand it in both cases to save coal).

 

Regarding the purple coloured "Taw Valley" I notice that Hornby are going to release a limitid edition of it in gauge 00

Knut

 

I wouldn't know details, but final maintenance and testing of the locomotives and carriages ahead of the commencement of operations was reported recently as having been already carried out. The roster shows 'available for traffic'

 

How big of a mortgage will I need to buy this one? Or shall I just speak to Mr Swallow and see if I can buy a share in the real thing?

 

Short notice, but 2999 Lady of Legend is rostered to work tomorrow (Saturday 7 May)

https://www.svr.co.uk/whats-on/locomotive-roster/

 

The set for AS1 this coming midweek is L(5) so light enough for the austerity.

 

Lets not forget Shropshire used to take 6 coaches regularly. Welsh Guardsman is a good one according to the Embsay crews who have plenty of experience with austerity locos.

 

Not disagreeing with you, but the SVR limits Welsh Guardsman to 150 tons (4 coaches, 5 LMS)

 

Good to see the Austerity in use .

It is interesting to see the differing approaches being made by SVR and NYMR to the coal price situation. SVR seems to be scaling back operations to control costs wherever possible whereas the hillier NYMR seems to be carrying on as normal eg 9F, Q6 and Black 5 all in action on a midweek day in the last week,

Jon

 

Likewise a marked comparison with the GWSR just down the road, while the SVR is running 2 diesels and an austerity on 5 next week, we'll be running a Hall & a Merchant Navy on 7 apiece. Strange times we live in.

 

Different management on the SVR now. Those at the top know nothing about running what was once the country’s premier steam railway

 

I think it's probably hard-won experience over the years - numbers drop off quickly if word gets round that there are too many diesels out, and the suggestion seems to be that numbers are holding up well in the face of pre-booking, so heavier trains and the bigger locos are needed (and they don't hve many smaller locos, the P3 and No. 29 are the smallest, and the P£ is out today, I believe, with the teak train.

 

You think they should be running a Merchant Navy and a Hall both on 7 midweek during termtime?

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It might be just as much a case of availability as management decisions - GWSR may simply not have the crews available to run all / mainly diesel midweek, and their smaller locos (4270 and 7820) may simply be unavailable for washout or repairs. They'll also have contractual agreements with the owners of 7903 and 35006 about how many steaming turns theyll get which they may well have to uphold regardless of coal prices. Plus, given the Spa Valley's experience that a Bulleid pacific, when driven and fired well, costs no more to run than a converted tender austerity, the cost difference between running 35006 and 4270 at the head of a train may not be that big

 

They don’t have a Merchant Navy or a Hall