SVR Autumn Steam Gala 19th-22nd September 2024

That last run behind 2999 was one of those moments you don't forget for me.

 

Very enjoyable morning on 45596. A real credit to its owning group, and a wonderful guest loco to have.

 

Nailed it Martin!

 

Action from the the first three days. Solid performances all round.

 

Some terrific performances from Bahamas there. 5*

 

Some coverage from the Severn Valley Railway's Autumn Steam Gala

 

Fabulous couple of days at the gala as usual, even the weather had a bit of everything! Some photos now available at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/Severn-Valley-Railway/Autumn-Steam-Gala-September-2024

 

I was there yesterday and had a very good day, with the rain *mostly* holding off just enough. Some truly appalling conditions not all that many miles away with torrential rain and frequent lightning in parts of the Cotswolds, so the SVR was quite fortunate. As already stated, no serious delays all day which was excellent. Credit to the timetablers as well as those on the ground yesterday. I don't know of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if we saw similar timetables used often for SVR galas now. They just seem to work.

Numbers seemed just about right for the Saturday of a gala - full trains to the extent of having to stand a couple of times, but not to the extent of being unable to board or unbearably uncomfortable while standing. Lots of passengers still when I called it a day around 7pm. Bahamas the biggest draw for me and was well up to expectations. 2999 and 4930 (not for the first time in recent years...) put on memorable runs later in the day. A good and interesting range of visitors, so well done to those who made that happen.

Well done to everyone, really. A shame the weather is so poor for the finale today, but hopefully that won't have deterred too many people. Definitely a gala that I'm very glad to have attended and one that I think was an excellent advertisement for the railway. I hope that once the numbers are crunched, the results will be encouraging.

I hadn't registered the news that the spring gala will be over Easter. Will indeed be interesting to see how numbers hold up with the more awkward main line rail provision and very busy roads at that time. The GWSR seems to do all right holding its main gala over a Bank Holiday weekend, though, so hopefully things will still go well.

 

Last train has just rolled in to Bewdley 5 minutes early. ASG 2024 is over. A big thankyou to everyone for their support and so on. Really enjoyable for all concerned. See you at Spring!

 

Cheers, the Saturday morning run out of Bewdley was rather nice.

 

I had the pleasure of being on that run, it was a great run through the tunnel.

 

Shame about the Spring gala being over Easter. As we all know the rail network usually shuts down on bank holidays these days. Almost certainly I will not be in attendance, for the first time for many years. Still, never say never I guess. Great few days just gone, however. Excellent! Sorry the same could not be said about the sandwiches in The King and Castle!

 

Sorry about repeat picture!

 

Video from the event now up at

 

One of 11456 leaving Bewdley with an evening local on Friday.

 

5 of my favourite shots from the ASG featuring Bahamas, The Black 5 and the L&Y Tank.




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Reported on internal comms the gala had 5,558 visitors. A 6% increase on 2023 ASG.