SVR Spring Reunion Gala (5/6/7 March 2010)

Had a good day on Friday the weather behaved itself and the trains ran pretty well as advertised.Everything went well except that the Flying Pig was facing the opposit way to that expected and when we got used to that they turned it in the afternoon so that it ran tenderfirst again!!!!Anyway well done everyone involved for a good day in spite of that.
Pictures available at
http://www.steamgalore.co.uk/

 

What a day my friends and I had, well done to the SVR for putting on such a great gala, one of the best I think. Would be nice if the same sort of timetable was used at the autumn gala but maybe drop the one local set going beyond Highley and run the Hampton Loade local instead with the goods train covering the full line again.

 

Had an enjoyable day yesterday especially with hardly anybody been about... Worth the 700 Mile round trip.

I've uploaded 2 clips of the Marquess yesterday, the rest will be available on the 'Part 2: March & April' DVD...

Clips available here

 

4 of us from Llangollen had a most excellent day travelling on the SVR on the Friday. Weather was brilliant, engines looked good (as always). Many thanks to all SVR staff & volunteers for all their hard work that they put on Friday and over the remainder of the weekend.

 

Very enjoyable two days spent at the Gala, many thanks to all involved at the SVR. My first video, from Friday now uploaded to YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf6QOliI8gw

 

Had a decent and enjoyable day yesterday on the SVR and I have to agree it was indeed quiet, in fact the quietest i've ever experienced at an SVR gala. I wonder if this has anything to do with the somewhat sharp price increases the SVR has implemented this year? Whilst many have requested a small engine gala it does show that big name locos attract the crowds. Granted the fare does now include the excellent Engine House but it did come as a bit of shock at the booking office as the difference to last year was quite substantial. I am aware though that there were discounts if booking inadvance, were these available to members? This was not clear before the event. Unfortunately I was more interested in travelling behind all the locos rather than visiting the Engine House this time and therefore didn't claim my free admittance, any other enthusiasts feel the same and not visit? (This is out of interest rather than a criticism). The timetable was certainly different and varied, even some of the SVR staff seemed a little confused at times! This was good though as some interesting and new things were tried. I do like the added emphasis on Highley rather than Arley with the locals, makes sense with the added attraction there and perhaps is something that could be expanded on in the normal timetable? This has been trialled in a sense with the line closure. Granted Hampton Loade trackwork repairs have only just been finished which probably explains it's absence, but it would be good to see the 'Bridgnorth Local' reinstated for the autumn gala. Bridgnorth had some quite big gaps in the timetable at times compared to the Southern end of the line. It was great to see 'Marquess' back home, I enjoyed an excellent and noisey return trip behind her, an impressive beast. The SVR evokes a special timewarp atmosphere at any time and this event had it in abundance but I look forward to the autumn gala for the the added 'Wow' factor which this event always holds. And while it was nice to have some empty platforms for us enthusiasts i'm sure the SVR would appreciate some more visitors then too.

 

What a gala!!! Everything from 61994 on the Teaks to 5764/5786 double headed made it such a special two days for me. Many thanks to everyone at the SVR for such a superb weekend. Roll on the autumn!! Should be twice as brilliant!

 

My second video, filmed around the Bewdley area on Saturday now available. Once again, my thanks to those who make it all happen. Video at;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SsMaxzmUPw

 

I wouuldn't describe it as "quiet" but it was certainly less well patronised than the Autumn Gala and compared to last year's Spring Gala when there were 4 big main-line locos. Personally I prefer the kind of gala they put on this year - I would rather see the big locos on the main line doing what they were built for. But the big locos do draw in the crowds and maybe this, plus the cold weather and the attraction of Tornado at the Mid-Hants Gala had something to do with the numbers being down. I take the point about the price increase but I still think these events provide superb value for money - where else can you get a full day's entertainment for about £20 these days? The free admission to the Engine House for rover ticket holders was a good move too. I only popped in for half an hour but it was worth it.

 

This Gala, at least from the video I have seen on Nat Pres, portrayed the SVR at its best, mixed traffic types on not over-long rakes. That to me, as an enthusiast is what I want to see and experience. Maybe the cold weather and the economic climate limited numbers overall?
I consider the SVR got it right last Autumn when Tornado visited, by ensuring it hauled the longest possible rake, nine coaches I think, simply to carry all those members of the public who turned up.
Note carefully the distinction beteen attractions for the "enthusiast" and those that bring in fare-paying members of the public. Like it or not heritage railways need to attract the public and their families to subsidise we enthusiasts.

Last year on the SVR I travelled behind 71000, but it was rarely extended, just pottering along. The return trip behind a "Manor" was much louder! Last autumn I elected to travel behind the GNR tank 1744, again a smaller engine that needed to be worked hard, and the train was not packed to the gunnels as was the case with the Tornado hauled turns.

I think heritage lines need the big "celebrity" engines ( P-Way dept would disagree...!) to attract the public in large numbers, and we as enthusiasts need to be comfortable with that as a means of bringing in the cash-flow from the public so that we can enjoy our hobby at quieter times.

Like Martin above, I have noted the problems experienced over the weekend on the Mid-Hants, and one is tempted to wonder how many members of the public have been "turned-off" visiting the Mid Hants by the requirement to buy a Rover ticket just to get on the platform to see Tornado. I recall last Autumn seeing Bridgnorth platform one packed from end to end with the public who had come to see Tornado. I assume they had free access to the platform, and I bet the goodwill so created generated a considerable number of family fares on the SVR over the week of half-term.

 

Only a smaller selection of pics from me due to the previous days exertions: http://david1984.fotopic.net/c1822774.html

 

Nice handful of shots there David! I have just finished my collection taken on the Sunday. Mainly taken south of Bewdley.

http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/

Hope you enjoy them....RICK

 

I have uploaded a video of Saturday's action at this brilliant gala. Locations are Bewdley and then scenes on a walk to Trimpley reservoir.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z99rBVcgQyc

Regards

 

Smashing video, acw71000. I'm glad someone got a clip of us on the double-header on Friday and Oops! about the slight slip.

 

Excellent collection of pics & vids already posted. With many thanks to the SVR for a great gala, here's my footage from Friday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yAxOGMgTIY

 

What a fantastic gala! I was filming all 3 days of the event (in between working) and my footage is avaliable in the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FABZ3Tht3Ao

Thanks to everybody involved.

 

Footage from Saturday now uploaded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_93aSRHX_M

 

Some pictures from Friday and Sunday now added

 

I have now uploaded my footage for Sunday too. It starts at Bridgnorth, I then moved to Erdington bank to catch the morning double-header, then to Highley were I filmed 'Bradley Manor' shunting and finally to the Victoria Bridge. I hope everyone enjoys it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m5kgbVDook

Regards