Avon Valley Railway Gala, October 15th and 16th

After last year’s successful gala with the N2, we’ve decided to push the boat out. This will be for the first time in several years, that we have ran a two day event and to make it extra special, we have decided to hire ex-resident Black 5 45379 from the Mid Hants Railway. This will be the first time this loco has left its home base since returning to traffic last year.

Running alongside the Black 5 will be RSH 7151 and TKH 4015 (providing the repairs to it’s main steam pipe are completed in time). If 4015 is unavailable then Llangollen’s Hunslet saddle tank 1837 ‘ Jessie’, will substitute.

Along with this, subject to being able to pay all the Transport Costs etc prior to the event, then we have also got the option to hire Jinty 47406 from Loughborough to join the line up, just for the weekend.

The timetable for both days, currently still being finalised, looks to be an interesting one, with stopping and express passenger services and freight services. For the first time, we will also be running a two coach local train, around the other services.

Tickets are now available for the event, either from the station office or online. Another first is two day tickets, also available. Anybody interested can also purchase tickets from First Great Western (day tickets only) allowing travel from your home station to Keynsham, a vintage shuttle bus to Bitton and your rover ticket for the gala.

Along with its visit for the gala, the Black 5 will be used for a Pie’n’Pint train on the evening of the 11th, starting at 7pm and several Footplate Experience courses. These take the form of the ‘Pines Express’, allowing you to drive, fire and act as guard on an express passenger train.

On the 23rd of October we will also be running a Landslip appeal event, in support of the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, the Black 5’s last scheduled operating day with us, with proceeds from this going towards the appeal. There will also be driver for a Tenner operating with on of the resident diesel loco’s during the day.

Any additional information for the gala can be found on our website at www.avonvalleyrailway.org/gala or by calling the station office on 0117 932 5538.

 

As Jinty 47406 is no longer available we have secured another loco in its place.
It look like a pannier more details to follow

 

The pannier is 1369 from the SDR. Many thanks to them for releasing the loco at short notice.

 

Looking forward to this event. the LMS Patriot will be having our trade stand there.

 

Black '5' no.45379 has arrived safely at the Avon Valley Railway, c/o Moveright transport.
The loco was unloaded late this afternoon followed by the tender at approx 7pm. <BJ>

 

Any chance it can be posed with the GW wagons and brake van would be great PR also in previous years it seems the world and his dog travel round in the brake van wearing hi vis vests etc. I am frequent traveller and photographer of the AVR, moan over. Now lets hope the weather is kind to the Gala and thanks to everyone involved for making it happen. So whats for next year, Jinty and/or Ivatt tank, 4F.

 

We will see what we can arrange.

Thanks for the comment about Hi vis vests, as far as I am aware they need only be warn when trackside.I take mine off when not trackside.

 

As a kick off to the weekend, Black '5' 45379 is in steam at present and will head it's first public train out of Bitton tomorrow evening at 19:00 (I'm advised). <BJ>

 

Black '5' 45379 will kick off the Gala at 08:55 both days with a freight working. First passenger working at 09:05 with RSH 7151 both days.

Last train arrives at Bitton at 18:11 on Sat with 45379/Hunslet 1837 'Jessie' and Sunday 45379/Pannier 1369.

 

....and it was very good !! The sight and sound of a 'Black 5' running non-stop through Bitton station at night will stay with me for a very long time. <BJ>

 

Not the most productive evening with my camera.

 

Looking forward to visiting tomorrow, haven't been to the railway since 41708 visited. Can anyone confirm whether or not 'Karel' will be running? I ask because I've read on another forum that it will be, cheers.

 

Their website says Karel isn't working, but their Gala timetable implies that it is.
Please note that Gala info states no parking at Bitton station, free vintage bus shuttle from Cadbury's in Keynsham http://avonvalleyrailway.org/index.shtml, about 2 miles past Bitton for me. Not impressed. I really dislike using buses for railway events, as it adds hassle and uncertainty to my day.

 

But the Bitton site is rather cramped and could get badly congested if it's as busy as they hope it will be. A free P&R scheme sounds like a sensible way to mitigate the problem.

I may pop in tomorrow afternoon before seeing 5043 on the mainline.

 

I am well aware that the station site at Bitton is fairly small, and I'm not saying that P and R is not a good solution for the railway, merely that I dislike hanging about for old buses. It will add significantly to my journey time, especially as I will probably drive past the station to get to the P and R site. However, I have a cunning plan.....

 

Buses will run every ten minutes throughout the day. First bus departing from Fry's Car Park at 8.30 am.

 

Karel was working today on a footplate experience train.

 

Karel was in service today. As for the bus service, Cadbury's is just one mile away. There is a good reason why there is a shuttle bus / P+R.
The car park isn't large enough for the large number of visitors expected. Not impressed with the system ....tough. <BJ>

 

I will pick up a timetable in the morning but, as my timings will be tight from home, does anyone know which the freight goes at 0855?

Thanks in advance,

 

Black 5 to Oldland. Smokebox first. <BJ>