SVR Autumn Steam Gala on 23 -25 September 2011

Locomotives are currently planned to include:

King class locomotive No. 6023 King Edward II in 1950s blue livery
Courtesy of the Great Western Society & 6023 Project Team.

Castle class locomotive No. 5029 Nunney Castle
Courtesy of Nunney Castle Support Group.

Caledonian Railway, John McIntosh class 812, No. 828.
Courtesy of Strathspey Railway Company and Scottish Locomotive Preservation Trust Fund. Believed to be making its first working visit south of the border in preservation.

Negotiations are continuing regarding another visiting locomotive for what promises to be a stunning enthusiasts weekend.

ALL LOCOMOTIVES SUBJECT TO CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE PENDING

http://www.svr.co.uk/News.aspx

Patrick

 

Nice to see something a bit unusual planned

 

Pus the added bonus of the numerous locos hopefully re-emerging from the works at the SVR in 2011...

Lewis

 

Will look very nice on the LMS set. Not sure CR Blue goes with GW choc and cream...

 

It is looking very good already with 828 being the main draw for me. It also saves a trip up north of the border to get her in.

 

828 really is a stunning loco. While in Scotland in August we made the trip up to Aviemore specifically to see and ride behind the loco. Probably the finest paint job I've seen on any working preserved steam loco (that includes 4965!), and it goes as well as it looks too! Will be great to see in on the SVR.

 

Not on topic, but, accepting that the SVR needs to do its engineering works, does anybody know why there was a particular need to do them during March when this would entail cancelling the SSG? For example, does the SSG bring in less money than the other winter/spring/summer events?

Regards

 

I'm not involved with the SVR and only guessing, but I suppose the low season in general is the best time to do it - loadings are bound to be lower in Feb/March (gala excepted). Try telling hundreds of families a day why the line's shut in August and see if they ever come back!

 

The extent of the work being done means a fair block of time is required from 4th jan onwards (unless you want to pay huge extra costs to speed it working round the clock up NR fashion).

The only sufficient block of time is at that time of the year unless considerably more important income streams such as santa were to be lost instead.

Whilst it is a shame to loose the spring event the autumn one is looking good already!

and after all the normal SVR summer steam service is a lot more intensive than some of the so called galas you see hyped up on this forum!

 

Just to add that Easter is very late this year, giving a very long gap from the end of the Christmas services, so allowing for the major works

 

Might be just enough to get me on a plane across the Atlantic again for a brief visit. I could see me doing another weekend trip in and out quickly for the three days of this Gala and some shopping in London as i did in 2009, finally seeing 6023 running after seeing her on my first trip to England in 2002 in bits at Didcot and with 828 from Strathspey would be a fantastic combo, and with no spring steam gala, i'm sure the potential for more fantastic guests to come exists. With Nunney as another loco i've never had the pleasure of seeing, coupled with the always fantastic running and hospitality at the SVR, it looks like a good weekend to me!

 

If you do come over, we'll meet up for a beer if you want. Try ad persuade you to come to another gala as well again...

 

I've already started trying to convince my girlfriend that North Wales in April 2012 would be a lovely place to be for a week.

 

That's a cracking line up, getting 828 is a fantastic achievement. Any chance of the T9 or a Fairburn tank? Or is that too much to ask!!

 

I'm not sure it would have gone anywhere else, the SVR certainly has some fans up north.

 

Certainly lining up to be a good gala! rumour has it a few more locos are in the pipe line aswell

 

A bit of a blue do - but 828 + 6023 on a train should make an irresistable combo. Who's doing the timetable ?

 

GOOD NEWS
I have just read in the latest Steam Railway magazine that came through today that No:60163 'Tornado' and J72 0-6-0 'Joem' have been confirmed as joining the gala visitors alongside No:6023 'King Edward II', No:5029 'Nunney Castle' and No:828 of the Caledonian Railway. Shaping up to be an amazing gala already. Count me in!