Severn Valley Railway Spring gala 14-16 April (plus Pendennis Castle trips 13 April)

Would there be enough space in the frame to do this? From the deep recesses of my mind I think I was told there isn’t?

 

Aside from the not inconsiderable cost I suspect there is quite a body of opinion that Highley really does not need any more "improvement".
Any flexibility gained would be only useful on a handful of days each year.

 

More conventional than Martin's sample but a small selection from yesterday's visit

 

Why is it the LMS set looks bang tidy behind anything?

 

I've thought this on a number occasions especially where Highley platforms are crowded and surfaces a tad slippery underfoot when wet. Where a train has needed to empty before moving to the loop, then back to reload, I've thought that this can't be the safest way to operate when very busy given the narrowness off the single platform. Having said this, I'm not sure what else could be done and I wouldn't want to opt for a second platform?

 

Here's my footage of 4079 Pendennis Castle at the Gala yesterday. I filmed her at Bridgnorth, Sandy Lane just outside Bewdley plus a high vantage point just before Bewdley Tunnel. The video also features 45596 Bahamas on The Great Britain XV over the Welsh Marches Line today. I hope you enjoy it.

 

Had an enjoyable day tidag. Trains were already 15 down at 10am, with delays getting up to 45 mins, and that is with a timetable that allowed a reasonable amount of catch up time. The castle is still a little leaky but made a fabulous noise trying to make up time up Erdington. Had a nice if muddy walk from Arley to Highley which helped escape the morning crowds. It was busy but certainly not the unhinged level these events used to be, where you couldn't get through the train.

I had hopped to catch 4555's aborted local run which meant I missed the mainline service I'd hoped to get. If we'd been warned on board or on the platform I would have stayed on the service I was on. Service alterations like that should really be communicated to punters, especially when delays are already making things difficult.

Wonderful to see the Manor back and a shame she'll be off to the WSR.

I don't think I'll get to time to visit the SVR again this year but hopefully the railway makes it through this rough patch.

 

The SVR definitely put on a great show yesterday and the weather definitely helped.
Wasn't as busy as I expected first thing, possibly because the star locos were at the other end of the line, but it definitely picked up later.
The 1610 from Bridgnorth with Pendennis Castle was full from Bridgnorth and standing room only from Highley. I had bagged a seat on the inbound working and even then almost lost it in the process of moving from a 4 bay to a 2 bay so a family could sit together!

Those who don't like children would have hated it even more yesterday, though these kids will be the ones keeping the SVR alive for future generations.
At the end of the day, galas are always going to be so busy that getting a clear shot for a photo at a station is always a matter of luck.

Agree that the shunting at Highley appears to be an issue. In the morning it ended up with 78018 on the local stuck at the Highley down home signal, apparently not allowed into the platform until 34027 coming the other way had come to a stand at the up home.
78018 had to bring its train into the platform, unload, propel out and back into the loop before 34027 was allowed to enter, meaning the latter had to sit at the home for about 15mins, leading to departing about 15 late, and delaying things elsewhere as a result.
I don't know what else you could do really without a second platform at Highley, or additional signalling that would safely allow shunting operations while a train is approaching from the north.

Still, more reliable than West Midlands Trains, who cancelled half the trains back to Birmingham in the evening, and terminated many others at Snow Hill (breaking my easy connection with Chiltern).

Thanks to everyone involved in putting the event together. I too hope that the railway survives its current crisis, as it's by far one of the easiest for me to get to.
Looking forward to my next visit!

 

Some footage from Friday and Saturday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2qOvdx2sh0

 

I was there yesterday and was very pleased. The best weather of the gala obviously helped, as did the lack of any really serious timetable slippage. I was happy to see plenty of families there, and apart from one kid later on who literally *screamed* again and again on board a certain service to the extent it was quite painful half a coach away, they were all absolutely fine as long as you accept a bit of reasonable boisterousness. And as was said earlier, if you want total peace and quiet for setting up your videos just so with no external noise, a gala day is really not the best time or place for that!

Special praise for the apple-and-various pies at Hampton Loade. Always wonderfully tasty and the same again this year, plus excellent value. Highly recommended for those who haven't yet had the pleasure! It's rare to see HL this busy, but it was a very nice atmosphere! Trains seemed nicely busy throughout, yes I had to stand a few times but there were no occasions when I felt miserably crushed and couldn't wait to alight. Not sure I can pick a single star of the show for me, though 4930 may shade it over 4079 as I missed out on the Hall when it was withdrawn in the autumn and so it was a real relief to finally see and travel!

Considering the worries and concerns about the future of the SVR, the atmosphere was relaxed and happy and welcoming. I'm sure it will help bring some gala visitors back to the railway on other days. Thanks as usual go to everyone who helped make it a very enjoyable Saturday.

 

Just a couple from me from the Gala.

Another vote here for the cafe at Hampton Loade, a pleasant way to watch the trains go by after dark.

 

My video from Friday. We had family commitments for the weekend so ages ago booked accomadation for Thursday & Friday when the gala was originally advertised as four day, and before the railway was closed on Thursday's. So in the end with us only having one day given the length of time to do a round trip, it always being so busy plus having a 6 year old with us we decided to take out family membership for the year and just watch/film the trains and hopefully get back later in the year for a travel day. The rain certainly made for an atmouspheric days filming, it was great to see the railway so busy, hopefully the event was a succses for everyone!

 

I spent 2 days on the trains, often in first class compartments. The trains were well filled apart from some early evening ones. I managed 4 very good rides behind the Castle but the high point was probably riding up Eardington Bank on a 2 coach local with 4555 - GWR coaches and loco on a GWR branch. The Manor, Hall and Castle, and all the locos looked wonderful. Staff were friendly and the whole event a credit to the SVR.

Thanks, SVR, and to all who helped run and organise the event. And a special mention to the kiosk at Hampton Loade.

 

I done mostly b/w film ,but three color from Saturday ,Arley and Eardington

 

After the washout on Friday there was some cracking performances and lovely branch line scenes on offer.

 

My footage from the gala; some cracking performances on show in spite of the horrendous weather conditions on Friday. The personal highlight was 4079 blasting away from Northwood Halt; an absolutely phenomenal sight & sound!

 

Just great footage. Loved that!

 

That's much appreciated, I'm glad you enjoyed it.