Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - Industrial Steam of South Wales Reunion Gala

All,

This years gala with City of Truro and 1450 was a huge success, the next question is 'How do we top that?'

The Events team at Blaenavon have been wondering what to get in for next years event, and what theme it should follow.

We would like to ask what would you like to see thundering up the 1 in 24 at Blaenavon in September 2011?

Cheers,

Alex
Traffic and Events Manager
PBR

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Castle Donington? Maybe Ring haw?

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Hi Alex
Glad to hear the event went well, unfortunatley I had to settle for watching the action on YouTube due to family/Gwili commitments.

How about a more industrial theme next year, would be great to hear a 42xx tank or even a 28xx on the gradients, maybe with a couple of Austerities and/or coal wagons. This might tie in with the Big Pit openning?

Regards
Matt

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Hi Alex -

It certainly looked like everyone was enjoying themselves, when we called in on the Sunday afternoon of the Gala. Glad it went well for you all.

I agree with the suggestions for something 'industrial-themed'....having got the 'copper-cap' vibe out of your system now (..!..), a South-Wales themed industrial gala (with associated photo-charters) would probably go down well with the enthusiast community. With 'Sir Gomer' due into traffic at Shackerstone this year, could this be a road to go down? Anything ex-Maesteg or similar would be great to see back in South Wales.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

I like the industrial idea maybe get the Maerdy Monster down too? Failing that how about something LMS that used to run on the line? A Jinty, the Super D?

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Its got to be the Monster on a large coal train thundering up the valley.

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Super D, 42xx or 28/38xx and a couple of South Wales NCB machines...or just a gala based on the latter, as Geoff Silcock called them, "The Last Beasts of Man"

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Industrial gala for me. Haulwen, No.8, Sir Gomer or The Monster would be very nice but you would need some coal wagons (or internal user five planks!).

Super D would be a nice alternative though on an LNWR line.

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Yeah that gets my vote too actually :lol:.

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Got to go with the consensus. An industrial gala would be nice with or without a 42xx.
But I suggest this depends on whether the big pit extension is opening, as surely this would be the most appropriate time for an industrial gala.

Just one thought - what is your disposition in terms of waggons, particularly NCB hoppers. I know you have an impressive rake of GWR waggons which I very much enjoyed on the photo charter with Truro.

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Super D or Fowler 4F would be very nice indeed!

Cheers
Jon Bowcutt

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Do you have anywhere suitable to do driver for a fiver?

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Guys,

Thanks for the comments and keep them coming.

Our ex NCB wagon fleet now resides outside big pit on an isolated siding, internal user wagons is somthing we are short of, we have our BR van train and GW train which are coming on nicely. At the moment we have nowhere suitable for drover for a fiver althoughw e are working on it. The big pit branch has taken the loop which used to be the driver for a fiver spot.

Alex

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

I think the idea of a South Wales Industrial themed gala would be great. Certainly the Mardy Peckett would be an excellent engine to have complete with its very friendly owner Harry Stenton an ex NCB loco man himself. You could invite its ex Mardy driver to come. I bet the local press would be interested in him being reunited with the loco, he also worked on BR in the valleys. Haulwen and Sir Gomer if its ready would also be good. For the future 7754 and a Taff Vale tank are obvious choices.

The Super D is a good idea but it would need a minder with it as it needs driving techniques all of its own.

Could you also organise plenty of trade stands so that there is something to look at between the trains?

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Thank you all for your contribution.

The overall consensus is that we should have an industrial gala in 2011, if this is the case we should be able to have three visitors (depending on distance) to join 71515 and hopefully 19. Obviously we would like Welsh industrial engines, before we make a decision we will have to make enquiries as to whether there are any welsh industrials available for the weekend.

Thinking specifically Welsh with the exception of Jessie, Mardy Monster and Sir Gomer which we already know about are there any other locos in operation across the country with a welsh pedigree?

Thanks in anticipation.

Alex

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Industrial gala eh? One rover sold :lol:.

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Haulwen at Gwili for a start. Don't think that any of the old Maesteg group or Pontardulais engines are in steam at the mo...

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Henry Cort is ex Ebbw Vale.. static only though..

No welsh crane tanks then !

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Dave, I think there were a few crane tanks in S.Wales somewhere, whether we could justify a visit that is another question.

All, I have tracked down 3 ex S Wales locos that are in steam or will be that are available for the Gala, all being well we should have at least 5 in steam. We are planning a rake of internal user wagons and an NCB 'style' brake van. I hope this event brings some interest. As an aside the Pit branch is now pressing ahead with the track completion due within weeks.

Next years September gala will bring S Wales NCB engines within sight of the head gear of Big Pit.

Thanks to all who have helped including owners of our 'penciled in' visitors if you read this. WATCH THIS SPACE!

Alex

 

Re: Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - What do you want to see?

Just to keep everyone updated with the latest on the Big Pit branch as alluded to by Alex below these were all taken on Sunday -

the site of the Big Pit halt
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p67628844.html

the junction between the branch and the route back into the yard over the rail over rail bridge (the boys in the background are reconnecting the point removed to allow the bridge to be refurbished).
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p67628846.html

the view looking down the branch to the mainline
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p67628847.html

the view looking back up the branch
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p67628849.html

The pointwork on the bridge reconnected at last
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p67628851.html

The junction with the mainline
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p67628833.html

From here it will be treated as two single lines into Furnace Sidings even though the bottom end of the loop is to be reconnected to the mainline.

Plenty of opportunties for some parallel running then
http://www.aligrieve.fotopic.net/p66855141.html

See you there
regards
Alistair