Blaenavon Railway Steam Gala 8-10 September

Announced on Facebook, first visitor is 1054
Facebook announcement https://www.facebook.com/Blaenavons...YxK8bYXTxZpKxrcNT6cFr6UMNdAHCgv9ipFr64fZaemql

 

Now that is certainly a visitor that deserves a welcome return.
Perhaps the old 1958 railtour headboard will be brought out again.
Shame 49395 is out of service.

 

Last time it visited my late friend (who was also publicity officer at the P&BR) messaged me to say he might not be in touch for a while as he’d taken 1500 photos that weekend and he needed to do some editing…
RIP Ally, you are still massively loved and missed.

 

FR20 has been announced as the second guest, makes sense having been at the railway for about 3 months now and not being used due to failure.

 

The 3rd and final visitor is Hawthorn Leslie 2859 'Keighley Gas Works No. 2' visiting from our friends at the Tanfield Railway.

This will give us 6 locomotives in use for the gala weekend.

• LNWR Coal Tank 1054 - visiting from Bahamas Locomotive Society
• Furness Railway No. 20 - Visiting from Furness Railway Trust
• Hawthorn Leslie 2859 Keighley Gas Works No. 2 - Visiting from Tanfield Railway
• Andrew Barclay Rosyth No. 1 - Final gala appearance before boiler overhaul
• Andrew Barclay 1219 Caledonia Works (Saturday & Sunday only)
• Hudswell Clarke 1857 (Saturday & Sunday only)

 

Fun time at gala today. Pity the timetable went just a tinsey winsy little bit wrong...

 

Oh dear! Off to visit tomorrow, hopefully not due to anything broken beyond a quick repair?

 

Started off 15 minutes late, but went totally awry when the brakes refused to release on the stock early afternoon. The GWR saloon was removed not long after, not sure if this was related? Was about 50 mins late when I left at 4pm, but still good fun and no shortage of trains! Lovely to finally catch up with Furness 20 (gorgeous loco) & the coal tank looked so at home in this setting.
Lineside fires also posed a few issues and running was a bit more measured than I remembered previously as a result.
My first visit to the railway for a few years, as good as ever, the scenery I think even better - has so much potential this one!

 

It was the intention to remove the saloon at 14.30 on Saturday & Sunday from the four coach set.

 

I am not complaining about the running late, I caught a bus up 30mins later than anticipated and 1054 was running around the 1227 BHL departure when I got onto the platform... got the train I wanted to catch but not by design!

Really enjoyable day! All the volunteers did well given the conditions.

 

Few images on what was a difficult day for photography in harsh light and extreme heat!

 

A very enjoyable day out today, my first visit for a gala. The timetable went awry again, but with such a lot of trains on a relatively small railway, it didn't really matter, there was plenty of action which was the main thing. Early mornings are obviously not the thing in Monmouthshire as arriving at 9:30 it was very quiet, even the booking office hadn't opened! It seemed very busy later in the day though so hopefully it was a financial success.

All the locos and coaches were very well turned out, a credit to all those who look after them. It was great to see and ride behind Furness No.20. I was a bit concerned by the loose droopy buffer on the tender though?

The bacon and cheese sandwich in the cafe was good, but they were clearly overloaded with customers. Not surprising given it was well above what I guess they usually get, but maybe something additional needs to be brought in for galas in the future? I think not long after we ordered they stopped taking hot food orders for a bit to catch up, which was sensible under the circumstances.

It was great to have the observation saloon and the engineer's saloon on the end of each passenger train. Always nice to have something different to a Mk1. I and everyone in the saloon at the same time as me though were completely baffled as to whether we were allowed to be in there or not though! A TTI came through and remarked we only had standard class tickets, and noted standard class accommodation was in the next carriage (no corridor connection!). Not sure what that was all about.

Anyway, very good, well done to all who put it together. Oh almost forgot, great to see a freight train out!

 

We were advised yesterday that there was no separate ticketing on a gala day and we were welcome to sit in the saloons, so yes, very strange! As you say, it was nice to travel in something different and can only reiterate how well the stock was turned out - carriage shed certainly paying dividends.

 

Looks a lovely little line. I had planned to attend but changed my mind when my wife said it was to far to drive in a day and I should spend the night in Wales. Thought that was all to expensive for a few photos and some rides.
Anyway a couple of weeks on the heatwave meant I did not fancy 6 or 7 hours in a car there and back, and what seems to be a Covid outbreak down here meant I felt it only right not to spread it around if I have it. 3 of my wife's friends, two of whom she spent all last Monday morning volunteering with, have tested positive in the last 3 days, so we are just waiting. Even had to quickly order some test kits as ours were out of date.
Maybe next year if the Chinese virus plays ball.

 

And from a few steps to the right of Martin (and a few minutes earlier...)

 

They always put on a good show at Blaenavon and this weekend was no different. Very friendly bunch of people and beautifully presented stock. For a loco nearing the end of its ticket, Rosyth looks and sounds like it’s straight out of the works!

 

Yes the cafe looked very busy for much of the day. I went in about 2:30 when it was a bit quieter, was impressed with the staff as the service was with a smile after they must have been going flat out for hours.
Was my first proper visit to the railway and I certainly hope to return in future. Highlight was seeing FR 20 running which would be another first for me. Also must say the coaching stock looks very good.

 

How are the extension plans coming on? Was the plan to head further south first?

 

North to Waunavon is the plan I think