[Apr 18, 2024] Severn Valley Railway 2024 Spring Steam Gala (Severn Valley Railway)

Looks lovely

 

It is purely and engine and stock positioning move. Really it should run ECS but we’ve put it in as an express passenger working.

 

Will it be a full-length train?

 

What a fab day.

It's been a few years since I've visited the SVR, the downgraded timetable dampened the appeal somewhat of the casual visits I used to make a decade ago, but I digress.

I was up at 5am to let me get to Kidderminster for the 09:15, but very much worth it. By far the best SVR gala timetable I've experienced, only slipping 15 minutes or so and was back on time when people started heading home. The gaps between services were perfectly balanced, allowing enough time to explore but never feel like you were waiting, and dwell times diffident to make up for lost time without feeling like you'd spent more time stationary than moving. The visitors were all great but the star for me was the Mogul, stunning in LMS black and what a noise! It also became a bit of a food tour, the SVR has so many catering options on the go now. Favourites were the huge hot dog from the Engine House BBQ, the cake from Eardington (a first visit for me that one), and the hog roast bap from the Weighbridge Hut at Arley which people need to head down to if they get the chance. I'd forgotten how wonderful the diversity of carriages is on the SVR, it really does enhance the experience on busy days, the GWR set being a particular joy. Somehow even with the amount of rain we've had and a fairly damp morning to boot Eardington Bank was set alight (by either Erlestoke Manor or Fenchurch by my reckoning) so we were delayed a few minutes whilst that was dealt with. The trains were well filled without being ramed (you had to share tables etc but not crammed in the corridors) bar the Bridgnorth - Hampton Loade shuttle which got very pack at points.

A very special event indeed, if only I could go back tomorrow.

 

Yes

 

Yes indeed - very enjoyable day at the Valley today. Stars for me were 4930 - looked great with the GWR coaches, 13268 - fabulous paint job, and 72 - Little old Fenchurch from the Bluebell which did very well on the Hampton Loade shuttles as far as I could see and seemed very popular.

Didn't really miss Betton Grange - hopefully there will be another chance to see that soon. Taw Valley did a good stand-in job. Nice to hear some Bulleid noises but I'm glad that's the last time I have to see it in black!

Well done to everyone at the Valley for putting on a superb show as usual.

 

Fantastic! It'll be Taw Valley's last run for years! I'll definitely be on that!

 

I second this!

 

Indeed, should be a fairly quick turnaround - has had a fair bit of work already done.

 

Some lovely photos there sir, 1369 does seem to look rather at home at Highley

 

Three cracking days so far, and thanks to everyone involved for putting on a great show.

Friday, arrived at Bewdley behind 13268 and just had time to sprint round to the yard:


Saturday, the same routine with the Lambton tank:



As @Matt37401 says, 1369 does look rather at home at Highley:

 

13268, declared failure at BY last night.

75069 to come from BH with 7714 this morning on 0B04.

7812 to work 0K00 to KR then 1N01. At BY 7812 to Tenbury. 75069 from Single line to P1 to continue 1N01 to BH. 7812 to then pick up the rest of its own diagram from 5K12.

13268 to remain on BY shed.

 

Thanks for the update Harry.

 

Roughly about 20 Late due to the above moves taking extra time. Hoping to pull it back.

For those interested in comparing to Autumn 23 we ended Thursday 15 Late, Friday 21 Late and Yesterday 1 Early (Yes Early!)

 

Already ticked off Fenchurch (cracking little loco), now sat behind Taw Valley enjoying a breakfast roll and hot drink - great day already! Don't think we are that far behind time, so already clawed some back.

 

You’ll probably find it runs the same as the rest of the weekend 8-12 mins late north of Highley, 4-8 mins late to Bewdley and then roughly right time Bewdley to Kidderminster

 

Second visit to the SVR Spring Steam Gala yesterday, Saturday 20th April 2024

https://tinyurl.com/4ht8fzhe

Neil

 

Video from a very enjoyable visit on Friday, an excellent event as ever. 1369, 72, 29, 13268, 7812 and 4930 featured.