Foxfield Railway Autumn Steam Gala 23rd & 24th October

Rich, you might want to check your times for the bus, you have it at Uttoxeter and Stoke at the same time in the morning!

 

Two different buses Nige.... One from Stoke and one from Uttoxeter, both will hopefully be doing some tours over the day...

Rich

 

Still a few loose ends to tie up this week but things are looking good. We hope that the event will be fun for our guests and members alike.

We finished bolting up the extended frame section on Dubs yesterday and have the chain ready for fitting as the next big job. Time will tell but I hope to be able to arrange for the chain to be fitted this week - and if we can get the deflection tests done on the jib we will be able to lift. There will still be a few small ish jobs to finish after gala, we have come too far not to get her spot on.

Bellerophon must be due back soon.

 

Hi All,

Hope all your plans are going well!

I have picked up a few comments in the thread about your Brake Van Rides; Be warned you do need the use of an auto train brake. A handbrake may not suffice!

My one suggestion to go into the pot (Maybe I am too late for the free prize (Could of thought A few pints would of been better )) No Orange!!!!!! it will look dam awful against Dubs (Or anything else for that matter) I also have another thought but dont think its correct to post it here!

Chris

 

Brake Van rides will not play a part in our gala, although funny you should mention about the auto train brake. I have seen various footage from many railways that do run brake van rides unfitted. This is probably allowed under strict guidance of each railway's own safety management system...

Rich

 

Is the free bus service from Caverswall Road to the Colliery operating this weekend?

Cheers,
Lewis

 

All things being equal the bus service will be running over the weekend, running between Caverswall Road and the Colliery...

Rich

 

Dubs will be orange free

 

What about the rest of the site?

 

I'm pretty sure it will be... Everyone seems to e on holiday or something... LOL

Rich

 

Excellent;

Looking forward to it now...

 

Dont forget the charter !.

 

Here is a short entertaining video shot on Wednesday as things start to come together for the weekend. Many of the loco owners were around making sure their engines are in tip top condition....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmpd5S5U7hA

Rich

 

As I was driving along the A50 today I popped in. Must say Whiston looked superb, whilst the other 'big uns' were all nice and grubby in the shed. Fingers crossed for a great weekend!

 

Hi,
This Gala sounds unmissable which is why I'm about to make my first ever visit to Foxfield. To save me wading through the several pages of postings for this and the last gala, please could someone answer the following questions to ease the passage of a Foxfield "virgin":

1) On arrival at site, do you pay on the gate? If not, where does one pay?
2) Is it best to catch the bus to the colliery or take a train to Dilhorne?
3) How easy is it to get to the bank?
4) Do passenger trains run to the colliery or up the bank?
5) Is the land adjacent to the bank public access?
6) Where will the visiting vintage vehicles be located - ie. will there be some at the colliery?
7) Is it easy to get lineside shots everywhere on the railway, without crossing the fence?
8) Are "inside the fence" shots permitted if wearing a Hi-vis? (from a brief look at some previous postings I suspect not)
9) What time does the charter on Saturday morning commence and what's the cost?

None of this information seems easy to access in the topic (and the summer gala one for that matter). Instead it seems mainly to consist of forum members expressing opinions about the locos, and doesn't give potential first-time visitors like myself much of an insight into the logistics. It seems to be making an assumption that everyone knows the score.

Hope someone can assist.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
Copy Pit

 

Essentially, yes. Ticket hut between the car park and the station building at Caverswall Road - you can't miss it (however hard you try! ). Similar arrangement at the colliery minus the hut.

Best access to the colliery is by the bus. There is some parking at the colliery site, but it's fairly limited.

Very. Footpath leads away from the colliery car park / bus stop.

No trains on *THE* bank (to the colliery) yet, but the passenger trip does include a section of 1in33 above the crossing, so it's hardly flat!

Arrangements are made for the gala, so there'll be no problem walking through the fields.

Hundreds of different angles available around the colliery site (at the foot of the bank) around the car park and footpath. Various shots available of trains climbing the bank from the fields. As for the Caverswall Road to Dilhorne Park section, there are a number of footcrossings (If you do a google maps search ST11 9BG and follow the railway, these aren't too hard to find). In all honesty, however, you could easily spend a day photographing from the colliery site without running out of locations! Please do stay the right side of the fence, however, as clearances are very limited in places!

Due to the industrial nature of the line, there are a number of very tight curves and steep embankments etc. Therefore, we do ask that visitors stay on the far side of the fence. However, there are many many vantage points available from the public side. To give some examples, and I'm sure he won't mind me posting a link to his site, http://owen-edwards.fotopic.net/c1873817_1.html shows a variety of the locations available to the public, all (bar the shed shots) taken in the colliery area or from the fields further up the bank. Regarding high-vis, please, no! For your own safety as much as anything else, you might find a mob of angry geordies chasing you!

Off the top of my head, I can't remember. Please send a PM to hunslets finest for more info.

I hope this helps, enjoy your visit!

 

Hi Copy Pit,

Long day so short message. I will let others answer general details (but Foxfield is very easy!)

Charter is 0730-0930 at the colliery and features ex works Whiston plus grubby Florence. I have pm'd you with my email address for full details. Cost is £15 but charter participants get £5 off a full price day ticket. (All - Please note this event is not part of the day event and the charter fee needs to paid to photograph etc the train).

Hope this helps and I am sure you will love the Foxfield.

Regards,

David

 

How much are the entries fees to the 2 sites respectively?

Thanks,
Lewis

 

http://www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk/Latest/The Autumn Steam Gala.htm

Lewis,

Prices are here.

Regards,

David

 

The entrance fees; which a full day rover (excluding the charter) are £14 Adults, £12 Senior Citizens and £6 for Children...

The charter is £15 and a £5 reduction on the gala ticket can be gained on purchase..

Rich