Swanage Steam Gala 11/9 to 13/9

As this thread seems to have gone missing I thought I better remind everyone that it is happening. Visiting Loco is 88 from WSR.

 

Don't forget the chance to ride the section 'Beyond Norden'; the first public Swanage Railway trains to do so. You never know what wonders you'll see in the undergrowth...!

 

Hello Ann,

I am hoping to travel from Plymouth on the Saturday of this Gala, as the last time I was at Swanage Railway was in the early eighties when my brother had some Holiday Flats in the resort.
Perhaps you can answer a query for me, I was wondering if it will be possible for the visiting public to view any of the ongoing restoration and overhaul work in progress during the course of the Gala.
Look forward to your reply.
Best regards SteamHawk216.

 

Herston Works will be open from 10am to 3pm over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the gala.

More details of the gala are here:-

http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/gala09.htm

 

why do the Swanage and the MHR have their steam galas over the same weekends?

Regards

 

Because they're in September, and therefore guaranteed to clash with half the other events in the calendar!

 

Thats a good diplomatic answer.....

 

It can work in a positive way where you can visit two galas in one weekend.If you are travelling a long way you could make a weekend of it.

 

It is self evidently true that they are both in September as it is that September has a mere four weekends ...

However that isn't a good enough reason for two of the premier railways in southern England have their steam galas on the same weekend in September. One of them could have their event on the second weekend and not clash with anything much.

So, to repeat the question ...

Regards

 

If I recall correctly Swanage has had their gala that weekend for many years.
Not too sure how long MHR has had theirs that weekend.

 

Didn't MHR used to have their gala on the same weekend as the SVR one?

Second weekend? Both of the galas are over the second weekend of September. As is the Llangollen Steam Gala.

If one changed to the first weekend of September, then it would clash with the NNR gala, and the fourth would clash with the SVR. There are also many events over the third weekend, and the majority of September, can't really win, something has to clash somewhere, isn't it better to clash with something closer than something miles apart, otherwise people can only do one or the other rather than visiting one each day.

 

Youve also got great dorset steam fair on the first weekend of september which is a massive crowd puller so could take away passengers for a gala!

 

Traditionally Swanage has always had its gala at the "end" of the extensive summer season, once the schools have gone back. It's a kind of thank you for all the hard work put in by the volunteers who have run a pretty extensive service every day for the best part of two months between 09:50 and midnight.

It also pleases the local economy by extending the season by another week. So the timing is nothing new - indeed this is the 30th year we've been doing it!

 

http://railways.national-preservation.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2009-9-12&c=1

Nat Pres Calendar has several events listed for this weekend !

 

This is what I have decided to do.

Swanage Gala on the Friday and MHR Gala on Saturday. Never been to either Gala before so kill 2 birds with one stone.
Cuts down on petrol and only one B&B. This will leave money to visit the Severn Valley Gala 25th & 26th.September and WSR early October.

Looking forward to it ALL...

 

If I remember correctly, the MHR changed to the same weekend as Swanage 2/3 years ago.

 

Looking forward to it already, I'm working Saturday and Sunday. It will be nice to see a Dorset engine back in her home county after all these years

 

I think they did with a view not to competing with Swanage but to complement it - i.e. so that people could do both galas in the same weekend. 6959 Class, if this is the obective, you will therefore not be the only one doing this.

With the S&DJR 2-8-0 at Swanage plus "Beyond Norden" and the Super D, Braunton, the return of 92212 and a five Bulleid line up at the Mid-Hants, it certainly seems like anyone who covers both galas will have a pretty full and enjoyable weekend.

 

Free bus shuttle between Wareham - Norden.....

But donations gratefuly received towards costs

 

Thank you Lewisb06 for info, But would that be from Wareham Station, as I am planning to travel from Plymouth Station and arriving at Wareham Station at approx. 11.20hrs on the Saturday of the Gala weekend. I will gladly make a donation to be shuttled to Norden. This will be my first visit to Swanage Railway for a Steam Gala Event. Looking forward to a visit to the Herston Works during the afternoon.
Regards SteamHawk216.