South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkeley

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Is it normal fares or what for this event?

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Yes, usual fares!

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

SDR are very generous with not charging extra for gala fares - when you consider that a return fare works as a day rover and the very frequent gala service, this is a real bargain. Heartily recommended for all aspects and with the Dukedog + 3205 + 5526 on autos; even D7612 for the diesel fans, there shoul;d be a bumper attendance. It looks quite a decent weather forecast as well.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

When 9017 had it nameplates refitted after it's stay at LR for SSS they were welded to the clips and then the clips welded onto the splasher, i was at the railway at the time...Why this was done is another question!!!

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Stock just about shunted now, just a few odd koves later tomorrow before everything is ready to go. The British Railways Toad brake van, which carries the markings for the van once stationed at Keyham, has seen a temporary change made and now carries "BALA" for the event. The thanks to the loan of a GWR smokebox route number board from the DSR&RB Co. some trains, including those booked to run with the Cambrian Coast Express headboard, will carry route reporting numbers on the smokebox. 3205, 9017, 5526 and D7612 are all in fine shape, and 1369 will be covering the station pilot turn at Buckfastleigh on all four days. In additon to the railway side of things, around 70 vintage road vehicles are also expected to appear during the gala. The weather is looking good, and the ale has arrived - our own branded bottles from Red Rock Brewery.

Hopefully a good turnout for what promises to be a good event.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

I noticed that when I called in last Sunday; its attention to detail like that which marks out the South Devon galas from many others.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Forgot to mention, although not Cambrian, but still with Welsh connections, after a few days work, 0-6-0st Glendower has been given a quick cosmetic make-over and will be on display during the gala. Just over a week ago the loco was little more than rolling chassis with bare boiler......

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Glad to hear that Glendower has at least had a cosmetic make-over. The Austerities did sterling work in the early 1990s on the SDR, and deserve a place in the sun.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Passenger and goods train formations for each day of the Easter Gala have been posted on the unofficial website www.sdronline.org.uk
It is believed 9017 will be running without nameplates during the Gala

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Indeed 9017 will be without plates.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Everyone seems to prefer 9017 without nameplates; why have them anyway then?

Not wishing to offend anyone, but can't help wondering.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

The public love engines with names. I took someone on the Cambrian last year behind 44871 and she was disappointed that it only had a number and not a name...

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

some photos from today at http://keyhamtrain.weebly.com

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

The dukedog certainly looked the part on the early evening goods train. Thankfully the sun also played ball.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

It has been an excellent gala; SDR really fit everything in. Even with the auto train stopping at Nappers Crossing to allow a visit to the pub! Shall see if I can come again on Monday.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Hello All,

A collection of photographs of my visit on Good Friday have been added to my weebly site, link below;

http://railtractionphotosbyrichardsmith.weebly.com/index.html

Please view and hopefully enjoy.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

some video from friday is now at http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=keyhamtrain#grid/uploads hope you enjoy

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Heroic train crew save sheep.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-13187728

Good publicity for SDR.

 

Re: South Devon Railway cambrian gala 22nd - 25th April featuring 9017 Earl of Berkel

Excellent event even if the photography was difficult due to the heat. Thanks to all for putting on one of the best shows in preservation.

Had a ride on the Dukedog and the 25 this afternoon. Have to say the 25 sounded particuarly good and brought back fond memories of trips to Great Yarmouth and on the Cambrian, even down to the boiling hot Mark 1s. Looking forward to the pair....