Llangollen Railway Spring Steam Gala 8th, 9th and 10th April

News from the Llangollen Railway website:

STOP PRESS

It is with regret that we have to inform you that due to mechanical difficulties, 7812 Erlestoke Manor will not be attending our Railway for our Spring Gala.

Real shame, but these things happen.

 

That's a real shame, hopefully 7812 will be up and running soon.

Regarding replacements (if any are being sought), could the East Lancs or Great Central offer an engine after the hiring of Llangollen's 80072 recently? 30777 on her way back to Loughborough from Minehead perhaps...?

 

Absolutely gutted about that. It's nobody's fault, though. I had a nasty feeling this would happen when I went to the WSR on the second Saturday and she wasn't working.

 

STOP PRESS
The Llangollen railway plc is delighted to announce that they have secured PKP 5485 from the Nene Valley Railway to substitute for 7812 Earlstoke Manor, which suffered boiler tube problems during the West Somerset Railway's recent Spring gala. Photographers can expect something quite different from this powerful 0-8-0 as it trundles up Berwyn bank. This will be the engine's first visit to a preserved railway other than the NVR and we are looking forward to seeing what she's made of!

 

Hope so!

 

This seems to have been removed from the website! It also seems that there aren't going to be any guests this year, but 'Foxcote Manor' might be finished in time for the gala.

Time to book a B&B!

Regards

 

With only a week to go, is there any news on the timetables or the possibilities of a guest loco?

Cheers,
Lewis

 

Timetable is on the website on page two of the pdf link... http://llangollen-railway.co.uk/img/uploads/58_29e84453167e451453d7ca3ecc90a245.pdf

 

Looking at that loco line up, though unfortunate, the failure of 7812 hasn't spoilt too much what should be an excellent gala. The Llangollen has pretty darn good home fleet at the moment. Hope to be able to pop up for a bit Saturday.

 

Sorry about that. I couldn't resist! Perhaps I should suggest it to Quentin for SSS3

 

The timetable for the 3 day event is now on the website.
As for a guest loco, with only 5 days to go until the Gala kicks off. It looks highly unlikely that a guest engine will appear.

 

Its a pity 7812 failed at WSR, but looking at the time table and line there is still plenty see and one of our favorite locations, so we will on our way early Friday morning for 3 days of hopefully sunny steaming, first time as well we actually have a B&B on the doorstep and not tenting.

 

"No passengers on the freight train"... that's a pity, it's one of the highlights of a Llangollen steam gala. Is this a one-off restriction or a new policy?

 

This should hopefull be a one off. We only currently have 1 suitable vac fitted brakevan in traffic - the oswestry group toad. The BR 20T brakevans cannot carry passengers due to lack of doors and the Shark is a bit dangerous due to the short wheelbase.

Currently undergoing restoration is another vac fitted toad, and a Queen Mary brake. So hopefully by the September gala (Or the 60's weekend in July, if i decide to run a freight) we will have the freight trips again.

 

Due to the failure of 7812 so close to the gala, Llangollen Railway has not been able to find another visitor that will fit into the theme that had been set and publicised for the gala. It is a shame, but these things happen. Hopefully we'll be able to see (and hear) a pair of manors up Berwyn Bank sometime in the future.

3802 will be opperating the diagrams set for 7812 on the 3 days, and 5643 will replace the diagram set for 3802 on the Sunday.

 

Apart from Berwyn Station itself, is there a photo location for the bank? I've tried often enough, but cannot find one.

On a separate topic, the weather forecast for the weekend looks good. http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/3089?area=Llangollen

Regards

 

Berwyn Station area is ideal for non stoppers, with 3 or 4 different places within 50 yards of the station.

Or another good spot is near the tunnel. To get there you turn right off the A5 after the station over the railway (not the turning that goes under the viaduct and over the river). There is a country lane that follows the railway. It's about 3/4's of a mile to the tunnel PWay cabin. A decent shot can be achieved from here outside of the boundry.

 

Across the river on the Berwyn - Glyndyfrdwy back road.

Bob.