Blaenavon GWR175 gala 18/19th September

I am pleased to announce the line up for the Blaenavon GWR175 event, our biggest and most high profile gala to date following the opening of our Blaenavon extension!

The line up stars 3717 City of Truro, Auto Train consisting of 1450 and coach 178 running alongside our home fleet of Austerity 71515 and Bagnall 19.

GWR freight train and 1910 built inspection saloon will also be on display.

There will be two train operation at the gala, allowing the Auto to run between Furnace Sidings to Whistle Inn, while Truro handles the trains to Blaenavon with one of the Industrials. We are arranging the timetable to give at least one full trip per day with the Auto and one double header with 3717 and 1450. We will also have a Steam Roller and a selection of 1930's vehicles on show.

This will be the first time Truro or 1450 has been back in the Valleys in preservation and promices to be a spectical on our 1 in 28 incline.

There will be a two real ale bars, and lots more to boot. Watch this space for more information as time goes on.

Monday 20th there will be a photographic charter with Truro and the Inspection Saloon and Turesday the 21st with 1450 and 178. If you would like futher information please PM me.

Check out the webpage at www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk

Alex
Events Manager

 

Sounds like a good event Alex, hope to visit on the Sunday.
Matt

 

Sounds like a great day out, I am going to try my hardest to get to this one!

 

Don't forget our Gala on the 18/19th September

Places still available on the Photo charters

PM me if you require details

regards
Alistair

 

Sounds like a good event Alex - will do my best to pop up as well. Besta luck to you guys with it!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Update

We will now also be runing trains on Friday 17 September which will see the formal opening of the extension and Baenavon High Level platform. 1450 and Autocoach 178 will be in action. In the afternoon the Auto train will run public services the full lenth of the line every hour from 12.40 to 4.40 pm. Standard fares will apply

Saurday 18 & Sunday 19 September will see Four locomotives in steam on the railway for the first time and also the first tender engine. These will be 3717 'City of Truro', 1450, Bagnall No.19 and RSH Austerity 71515. An intensive timetable will be operating, starting with the first train at 9.40am and last train terminating just after 6 pm on both days. Main trains will run from Blaenavon High Level to The Whistle Inn, with auto trains runing shuttles from Furnace Sidings to The whistle Inn between the main trains. The first and last trains of the day will be the auto train working the full lenth of the line. There will also be a demonstration freight train operating one trip each afternoon from Furnace Sidings to The Whistle Inn, while 1450 runs a double headed trip with City of Truro.

Fares on the day are £9.00 Adults, £4.50 Child & £22.50 Familly. There are savings on advance ticket sales, which can be made by phoneing 01495 792263 between 11.00 - 16.30 Monday - Saturday.

Working timetable will be avalable soon.

So pleas come along and support us, you will not be disappointed!

Alex.

 

View attachment Gala timetable.doc

All Please see the attached timetable for our September GWR 175 Gala.

Enjoy.

Alex

 

6880 Betton Grange Group will be supporting out Gala with there trade stand, if anyone would like a trade stand at this event please PM me and we can discuss the arrangements.

Regards

Alex
Events Manager

 

With one week to go I have today heard that 3717, 1450 and 178 are all due to arrive next Wednesday. Wednesday and Thursday the team will be busy fitness to running and cleaning the locomotives. This is the biggest and most challenging gala to date, the timetable is tight but attainable.

On Friday the 17th Pete Waterman will be present to formally open the extension and platform at Blaenavon in the company of local councillers, funders and supporters. Public are welcome at Blaenavon but the first public train is not until 12.40.

Paddy Goss and the 813 Fund stand will be present throughout the weekend offering the usual selection of Books, dvd's, badges etc.

See you next weekend.

Alex

 

1450 arrived today
Auto coach arriving tomorrow
City of Truro is en route but not sure if they will arrive tonight or tomorrow.
Hope to see you all there
regards
Alistair

 

All loco's cleaned prepped and ready to go.

Glad i'm not on the steam crew with a 6:00 am start!

 

I am.....

Regards,
Ian.

Its sunny here......

 

Popped in briefly on Saturday..... seemed like a good attendance -- didn't realise the footbridge had been finished -- did anybody get any photos -- seemms to have been no mention all weekend on here...

 

Hi,

I went on Saturday too. First visit and having viewed Furness Sidings from near Big Pit some years in the past I was pretty impressed with recent progress and the gala as a whole. Being involved in the Welsh Highland I can see the future potential for an equivalent standard gauge thrash up the valley here with the gradients involved..
Hear are a few of my amateur efforts! Hope the uploads work ok!

Karl

 

I'm sure that some of my colleagues will post on here later, but, we would just like to thank those people who made the journey to witness one of our best-ever events. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Regards,
Ian

No 19's driver for the weekend

 

Biggest and best event we have ever put on.

4 locos in steam, 2 train operation and everything went to plan

Thank you to everyone who came along and enjoyed the fun

Piccies are here

http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/c1899495.html

regards
Alistair

 

Ali -

I love the 'Titfield-esque' shots from the charter!

Cheers,

Phil.