SVR Autumn Steam Gala 19th-22nd September 2024

Thanks for the updates Harry, really appreciated. The L&Y tank is a big draw for me, so really hoping it makes it's Kidder to Bridgnorth turn tomorrow evening.

 

Well done also to the guys in Bridgnorth shed today!

 

I’m travelling on the 1945 tonight so I will let you know if the tank is on the front!

2999 for my firing turn tomorrow, 45596 Sunday. Very much looking forward to those as much as you are the L&Y

 

L&Y tank is creeping up and down the yard now. Currently on its 3rd run

Andrew

 

SVR Official Post just now.

 

Good news, but Fellas, could you please drop the 'Full steam ahead' line - it's a nautical term and nothing to do with railways. It doesn't add to your credibility.

 

It's a play on words intended to imply that there will be a lot of steam on offer. It's not on there because it's a railway term.

 

I know, but it's still not railway and not, to me, professional. I can't imagine the guard calling 'Contact' instead of 'Right Away, to start the train!

 

I don’t see the problem. “Full steam ahead” is a perfectly good term when you are trying to attract trainspotters to come and see the choo choos chuffing into the SVR train stations. Whoo! Whoo!

 

Given that both Network Rail https://www.networkrailmediacentre....f-train-travel-to-be-marked-with-celebrations and the UK Parliament site https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/transportcomms/roads-rail/overview/fullsteamahead/ to give two extremely authoritative to the railways examples both use the phrase in relation to railways that I found within 10s on Google, I’d say the SVR is being perfectly professional in using the phrase and is hardly likely to affect their credibility.

Much like their fitters who have done a smashing job, especially if short notice manufacturing has been involved.

 

I doubt that NR is an actual authority on steam operation, and do you really pay attention to what the UK Government has to say?

However, I've made my point and will stop there.

But I appreciate your kind comments about my mates, the BH fitters, being a volunteer one myself, although not involved with the repair of the Lanky saddle tank.

 

Kwvr use same expression to announce full line reopening after 3 week bridge renewal delivered on time so thats plenty of credit to them i think

 

That had me laughing out loud.

 

Some night photos taken at Kidderminster this evening
https://railway-photography.smugmug...024/SVR-Autumn-Steam-Gala-Friday-/i-6QVw9HP/A

 

Seems 75069/4930 have swapped at Bridgnorth so 75069 back on it’s booked diagram tomorrow.

 

So yes to confirm….

Everything on Saturday is as booked on the timetable again!

 

Very enjoyable day at the Severn Valley today. Only down side was the non-appearance of the L & Y saddle tank, which would have been disappointing for some. Glad to hear it's been fixed! All the other locos seemed to be in good form, particularly 45596 which gave some very spirited runs. Trains seemed well loaded but no problem finding seats. Timekeeping was very good and never slipped by more than 5 or 10 minutes all day. It seemed to be a well thought out timetable with adequate recovery time built in. Thanks to everyone at the railway for their efforts - hope the rest of the gala is a success.

 

I don't know if I have the patience or crayons for this one but you best write to the BBC about their tv show about trains called Full Steam Ahead. Ultimately whether under maritime conditions or rail, it does carry the same connotations so I'm going to not get too hung up on it.

 

Managed to squeeze in a couple of hours after work this evening. Big thanks to the volunteers who have given time and effort yet again to pull together another fantastic event.

Full length trains after 18:00 all seemed to be sparsely loaded and couldn't help but wonder whether there was any possibility of taking one or two sets, splitting them and just running with two/three/four coach trains after a certain time rather than full eight coach set which would then be reformed either at the end of the day or first thing.

I certainly agree that it looks very impressive to see a Jubilee with a full rake of authentic crimson and cream/maroon coaches but it's a waste if less than 10% of the seats onboard are taken. Also it looks more authentic for the line - was a pleasure to see 7714 trundling round with two coaches which had a much better level of loading vs capacity than the longer rakes.

 

Reformed at the end of the day? So after midnight? Or first thing in the morning, before the first train at 7:45?! I’m not sure it’s really worth the effort or hassle, besides some of us enjoy hearing the locos work hard on a long train, it’s part of the attraction.