SVR Autumn Steam Gala

Mention of 9220 takes me back to 1973 and repainting it from its original weather beaten BR maroon into Carmine and cream. I carried out the work initially in the platform at Bridgnorth but finished it in the bay at Hampton Loade. Happy days

 

Dont worry Gary. Hugh reminds us almost weekly of the early days at Bridgnorth.

 

I don’t think that I had the luxury of painting indoors at Bridgnorth until Andy Williams and I built the paint shop in about 1980ish.

 

The travelling tavern is LNER buffet 643?

 

Yeah

 

Could you tell me the current status of MK1 4545 as haven’t seen this in use for a while?

 

4545 has been sold to the film company behind the new Harry Potter tv series and left the railway in August. Upon completion of filming the railway will have first refusal on buying it back should we have or feel the need to.

 

Thanks very much for the info, I did wonder whether it was the coach which had a quick repaint and left Kidderminster by low loader

 

SVR Gala wise….All was well with 813 today, and another say of testing tomorrow just to ensure it’s absolutely fine will take place.

Tickets sales are over 300 ahead of this point last year and looking really well. It’s very positive financially.

7714 will turn on Saturday, 13268 will trip back to Bridgnorth on Sunday, and that’s nearly all home fleet engines in place. Just 1450 to arrive back, plus the visitors.

 

73082 has/is arriving this afternoon, the tender has turned up.

 

Interesting they wanted a TSO and not a SK?

 

Maybe easier for the film company to rip out the interior for filming and build their own with a TSO.

 

As of this morning just shy of 2000 pre-booked tickets sold which is about 430 ahead of the same day last year. If things continue as per the usual pattern for the next few days we should find ourselves with a healthy number of visitors. Sunday is the quieter day if anyone out there is looking to come on one of those more relaxed days.

73082 is all coupled together and at Kidderminster awaiting FTR and Steam Test on Wednesday prior to a move to Bewdley.
1450 was lit up today, with FTR and Steam test tomorrow. It will then take a set of stock to Bewdley.
35006/47298 are expected at Kidderminster over the next couple of days. Again FTR/Steam Test Wednesday.
NCB 49 will arrive at Bridgnorth in the week, and will have FTR/Steam test although not in use till Friday.

Somewhat of a hectic few days now at Kidderminster to shunt all the sets, etc. I'll try post some updates as things progress over the next few days but hopefully all will go to plan.

 

Best of luck Harry - looking forward to seeing the show!

 

Trying not to go too far off topic. They arent ripping out the interior at all, the seats were sent away for retrimming within 72 hours of the contract being signed. The film company will be using the open interior for larger, open shots.

It has released a 6 month space in our workshop plan and with 9581 being launched into traffic on Thursday and 4786 and 26921 sometime next year, we arent short of coaches (unless we rearrange another set of buffer stops)

 

Merchant has been turned. Another piece of the puzzle done.

 

Which way is Gordon facing?

 

who cares? I want 46443 turned as I have lots of photos of it in the engine house facing Kidder.

 

First time that one has been on a turntable in a very long time?

 

Will it be possible to swap trains a Bewdley?

I know some times one train is in the single platform and the other on the island platform and they will dispatch train immediately leaving you stuck on the bridge battling the people stood in the way on it.

Andrew