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

I am pleased to announce our first confirmed visitor for the September gala, Peckett 2150 'Mardy Monster'. Its sound will resonate in the south Wales valleys for the first time since 1976.

The loco willtake part in the three day Gala weekend and the Charter the following week.

Regards,

Alex

 

Excellent Alex, could be just the incentive for me to make the journey!

Having had a turn on her at Foxfield a few years ago I know you'll have great fun, bags of power but very controllable, a gentle giant and a monster when needed!

 

Fantastic news. Look forward to hearing and seeing her in the Valley. Hopefully the owner, as at Foxfield, can again be presauded to remove the BR/GWR numberplates and the nameplate.

 

some photos i think you P&BR lads will like.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12a_kingmoor_klickr/sets/72157626806007818/

 

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm lovely

the first 2 are actually at the PBR in 2008 on the photo charter with 813

 

Really glad that Peckett 2150 is coming to the gala, its owner is an ex NCB locoman and a super bloke.

It would be great to invite its ex Mardy Colliery driver Brian Jenkins to the gala, Brian is an ex BR fireman.

 

Super set of photos. Only managed a single visit to Mountain Ash.

 

A quick update - the Mardy Monster will be used on the 25th September along with 71515 for our first ever driver experience day, keep your eye out for a new thread appearing shortly. The Big Pit Branch is also on track (excuse the well used pun) with our contractors completing the track work in the next 3-4 weeks, it will soon be time to construct the new platform and access ramps to the Mining Museum. The Station Buildings at Furnace sidings and Blaenavon are on the final furlong now and should be completed and in use by the gala weekend.

Lots going on in Blaenavon and its well worth coming for the infrastructure as well as the trains.

Alex

 

Just to add to this

Furnace Sidings station building as on Monday
http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/Pontyp.../PBR-Teddy/17323754_M5tckw#1315642373_LKjGbJf

http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/Pontyp.../PBR-Teddy/17323754_M5tckw#1315641491_wLHzwZh

work now also recommenced at Blaenavon High Level
http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/Pontyp.../PBR-Teddy/17323754_M5tckw#1315642514_gkbfPFX

http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/Pontyp.../PBR-Teddy/17323754_M5tckw#1315642763_WCJg4Lm

 

The latest gala update is not one of visiting locos but special ales. The railway is currently engaging with our new local brewer Rhynmey, we will be serving up bottles of the Welsh ale with a relevant name relating to the gala theme.

This will be available to enjoy on the train and take home as a keep sake (well for a few hours at least).

Regards,

Alex

 

I am pleased to announce that our second visiting locomotive is Pecket 1163 Whitehead of 1908, courtesy of Euge and Marnie Wheelwright the locomotive will be making its first visit back to the south Wales valleys in its preservation career from the Midland Railway Centre - Butterly.

The locomotive built for Cefnstylle Colliery Co in Gowerton Swansea, later moving to Whitehead Hill & Co. Wire and Steel Works at Cwmbran. This is the most locally significant operational industrial locomotive in the UK and so a fitting visitor to our gala. Whitehead will see use on both the Big Pit Branch and the main running line during the weekend, also taking part in the Charter the following week. So we have little and large, the Mardy Monster and Whitehead. We are awaiting the agreement for the third and final visiting engine as I write this.

Regards,

Alex

 

A lovely guest that will look good on the proposed steel train. Well done. Some interesting historic info here http://industrialgwent.co.uk/henllys.htm

I don't think Whitehead is currently running with its' cast numberplates and GWR buffer beam numbers but otherwise, with the Maerdy Peckett, it would be getting a very GWR esq liveried industrial gala....

 

When it's mot masquerading as taffy the tank engine for thomas it looks like this at present



can't wait
Ali

 

v.nice, should look good.

 

We are planning to remove the faux GWR identity from the Monster. Whitehead is as right as it will ever be.

It is shaping up to be an exiting weekend.

Alex

 

A quick update on our Gala:

Preparations are going well with Whitehead and the Mardy Monster both confirmed with Transport booked for their journey down to South Wales, the one remaining visitor is still to be confirmed but I am expecting an answer within weeks.

The Big Pit Branch Track work was completed on Friday with signoff and Platform build moving on apace.

I look forward to seeing you all in September; watch this space for announcements as they come.

Regards, Alex

 

Fantastic news. Just need a tin of blue paint now...

 

I am pleased to announce that on the 26th September the Sunday following the gala we are holding our first Driver Experience Day at the PBR, candidates will get the chance to drive and fire both Austerity 71515 and Peckett Mardy Monster in total 4 round trips on the footplate and two round trips on the cushions. Experience driving on our 1 in 40 - 1 in 24 gradients with three Mk1's in toe in top and tail formation. The Full day course starts at 7am and runs through until 5pm with the option to stay on for an hour and help dispose of these two locomotives. The course will cost £290 per head with up to two guests per person to enjoy the ride and the buffet lunch.

If you are interested please PM me with contact details and i will give you a call.

Regards,

Alex

 

And there are photo charters running on the Friday and Saturday if anyone is interested

PM me for details

regards
Alistair

 

For further information on the Driver Experience please follow the link below.

http://www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk/pages/driverexperience.htm

Regards,

Alex