Severn Valley Winter Gala 4th & 5th January 2025

Snow settling in Worcester now - thats 15 miles south of Kiddy.

 

Reported on internal channels. There will be no amendments to the timetable today as the snow is far less than predicted as is already melting.

 

Good day at the Valley yesterday.
Very busy for the first couple of trains, but thinned out a bit later.

There were still pinch points on Bridgnorth Platform 2 (when everyone wanted to swap from the arriving train to the departing train 10min later) and Highley platform with crowds to/from the Engine House, but not much could be done on either without major investment.

Steam heating (and lighting) was a bit hit & miss in some of the trains, and I heard there were some issues with on-train toilets being out of use because the water filling pipes at Kidderminster had frozen.
However, we had a nice warm compartment to ourselves for our last run from Bridgnorth back to Kidderminster as darkness was falling.... very difficult to stay awake!

Much to my shock for a gala weekend, trains were still running dead on time when we left about 5:15pm.
Suggests the timetable was well designed (no shunting locals at Highley probably helps).

Well done to the team for your hard work putting it together, looking forward to heading over again for the SSG in April!

 

A few clips featuring GWR 7714 and 1450 double heading on the 4th January 2025.

Video Available Here

 

Last night's snow didn't live up to the threats of major disruption, at the Bridgnorth end of the SVR at least, and by morning was already retreating. There was enough snow around however for a few shots around lunchtime around Eardington.

 

Love the 7812 shot My firing turn that today. Any chance of a Hi-Res copy being emailed over please?

 

PM sent.

 

Hi,

Any chance of a Hi-Res copy of the 1450 shot being emailed over please?

Reg. (1450 Owner's Rep.)

 

Just back from a lovely weekend, we always enjoy our visits the Severn Valley, many thanks to all involved. My video from across the weekend edited in time of day sequence with action from Bridgnorth, Highley, lineside north of Bewdley and finally Bewdley station in the gloom and rain late yesterday afternoon. Photos to follow...

 

A great weekend with some interesting and challenging conditions. 1450 & 7714 were lively across the two day's, though not as lively as the Manor, that was a superb run between Borle Viaduct and Arley on the Sunday !

 

I didn't take many photos, but having had an enjoyable day on board trains Saturday I took a short trip out Sunday morning to capture the Western tanks double heading in the snow (with 1450 delightfully 'up front' on this day). The pair climb away from Bewdley with the first of their two round trips.

 

Couple of shots from the Wintery Scenes that greeted the Valley On Sunday




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

First outing of the year for the gala, bitterly cold on Sunday but lovely to see 1450 leading both runs to Bridgnorth

 

Some photos from across the weekend…
https://www.flickr.com/gp/alts1985/70n61LML23

 

A few from last weekend....