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

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

Here's some I prepared earlier:

With the exception of the Class 08 and Class 73 diesels, which are never very loud, I'm sure there are some sounds to please most people:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtVAstk9hRI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z49BnBHQec

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9ByENQSOUo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM-dpRMXbks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TS2KmOWfLM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbdNzcb22cc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At605Nl9hdM

 

But you didn't say 'public' you just said passenger! I am also sure there is a steeper narrow gauge line...

I think it is fair to say very little compares to the long slog at Tanfield but they do work hard at Blaenavon.

 

i shall be making the long trip to South Wales, for the event looking forward to it.
love tour around would be great.
but back to the comment.
"Until you have experienced an industrial on load 4 up our bank you have not lived. Everywhere else seems boring in comparison"
i know its a coal train but its less than 120ton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppgq24BLY9Y
the 1st bank then skip to 5.50
that train is roughly 90ton

can you tell me really that is boring? =D
never seen Mech Navvies like that yet........
well i hope you've realised by saying that you've set a bench mark =D
which i look forward to.

 

The only time I've heard Mech Navvies properly working has been at foxfield. I've been to the PBR a few times this year and the loco is never extended. I look forward to being proved wrong though!

Incidentally the Welshpool and Llanfair has a short section of 1:24 and a mile long climb of 1:29.

 

With so much interest I hope to see you all in September.Incidently Mech Navvies has been full regulator more than once trust me. Its all very well having engines work on freight trains but passenger trains are a different kettle of fish. Watch this space for further announcements. As i have said until you experience it you have not lived - no comments until you have lol!

Alex

 

so what have you's got your eyes on visitor wise?
any cules or still in the planning process.

http://mathewyardley.fotopic.net/p4895200.html
i think its at the Llangollen getting overhaul.....but that in that livery with some coal board/coal waggons will look ruddy good.
and im pritty sure it would sound brilliant.

 

I hope the Tanfield massive have all just witnessed him recommending a GWR loco! :lol:

If youtube would actually upload the vid I'm trying to send it, I'd set you a challenge

 

Well, we have a draft line-up with all owners agreeing in principle, we are looking at 4 out of a possible 5 visiting locos. We will make an announcement during the spring, i can confirm they are of South Wales pedigree. as 7754 worked locally to us obviously it was a top choice, unfortunatly it is not looking too clever, being in a (very) dismantled state at Llangollen.

Alex

 

Finally... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNfvnMspsdI . If the Blaenavon lads can make these seem boring, it'll be an excellent gala! :lol:

 

Alex,

your railway is great and I have enjoyed all my visits there but claiming people haven't lived until they have experienced it might be a little of an over sell? Ji-Tong, Cuba, 2,500 tonne gravel trains at the Werratal Plandampf, the slog to the Brocken through snow drifts, 49 on the first coal train on a winter morning at Tanfield, an 01.5 on the mainline or perhaps a Duchess over Shap are more in keeping with a claim like that!

Perhaps a reserve engine for the guest list might be the Scunny Austerity which is really a South Wales one. As for 7754, the NCB drivers, use to far better engines, never rated it so it is probably best left at Llangollen and the low loader can bring the lovely Jessie! As for someone from Tanfield suggesting a pannier tank....

Thanks for the reminder about the Welshpool and Alan Keef's and perhaps Statfold can also compete with 1:24? What anout Telford?

Cheers,

 

can i second this!
if you's can out do this, i also cannot wait for the gala!

 

Pure class Mr Heath!

I was getting worried that there would be no no.49 on there but you came good! The run past with all the brakes pinned down was rather good.... Ring Haw also sounds as good as ever. But no Jessie? Now she (or he?) sounds very nice.

I love this video even though in Tanfield terms it recognised as being a bit tame!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppgq24BLY9Y&playnext=1&list=PL8C2A3BD97F4EBAA0&index=59

 

Lack of footage, not lack of will! :lol:

 

I had forgotten about that loco, the steel austerity currently shares the back page of the IRS newsletter with Mech Navvies, its a thought, although we are in danger of having an austerity invasion if we are not careful.

Guys we aim to please and hopefully we will live up to the expectations, the saying 'you haven't lived' isn't saved just for us there are other things you can associate with that saying, that could be the start of a new thread and i am sure it would get out of hand, i hear the new Couldon Lowe line is a must do experience.

The next competition is for the coldest Heritage Railway we recorded -11 on Sunday Morning, BRRRRR!

Cheers,
Al

 

The next competition is for the coldest Heritage Railway we recorded -11 on Sunday Morning, BRRRRR!

Cheers,
Al[/QUOTE]

Minus 20 degrees C, actually, at 04:15. No real snow, about 2 inches at most. Haven't seen Blaenavon that cold for a long time.

Regards,
Ian.

 

Forgot about that video Hunslets Finest... I was on the shovel.

If you're going to change the competition then yes you might be able to clame the coldest title... it was 'only' minus 10 when we were doing the Santas on Sunday.

 

Have been to the Blaenavon railway a couple of times and in my opinion for industrial atmosphere and the sound of engines working hard I would recommend it without hesitation. I'm not going to be drawn into the 'my railway is steeper than yours and therefore better' discussions - I just think it's cracking. Before you ask, yes I have visited Foxfield and Tanfield and they are both excellent.

Standing at Big Pit with the winding gear rattling above you and the sound of an Austerity storming up the misty valley is pretty special, and I hope to be at the 2011 gala to support what I feel is one of the most promising of the current fledgling lines (I know the P&BR has been around for years but I think that it is still finding its feet)

Gala 2012? Super D and the KWVR's coal tank please!

 

If you wanted my opinion the best industrial railway would have;
Engines from its local area only,
No mainline diesels,
No mainline EMUs,
No Mk1 coaches,

and would probably be situated in the North East

But then again i guess im biased...

 

Yeah I suppose you're right, Bowes it is

 

On the contrary, WST worked in Carlisle!