WSR Spring Steam Gala 17-18 and 22-25 March 2012

It looks like the WSR March 2012 Gala may be a big engine event, with three pacifics plus a possible fourth large engine on the provisional list of visitors. Nothing yet confirmed though!

David

 

WSR website nows states that 6201, 70013 and 4492 (60019) will be visiting for the Spring Steam Gala, plus a 'fourth large locomotive'. With 71000 finishing her duties for a Steam Dreams tour at Taunton on March 10th, what's the betting that she will be the fourth loco in question!

 

It's going to be a very quiet gala!

Regards

 

Lizzie and the Brit know how to make noise.

 

Great line-up so far. I hope the 4th large locomotive doesn't start the letters Tor. 6024 or 5029(GWR) would be good or a southern locomotive.

 

Why? It would be nice to see Torquay Manor operating on a railway other that the Paigntorbay & Dartvaleymouth Steam Boat, Bus & River Railway.

 

The Midhants Spring Gala is on the 23rd -25th March 2012.

 

You probably know that I wasn't reffereing to that locomootive.

This shall have a slight ring to it: A must no is Tornado

 

Wouldn't that be main line tictet, namely 7 years.

 

This is very true when they have a 400-500 ton train behind them; but on the WSR (and on preserved lines generally) 250 tons is about the norm and these big engines can go up the banks scarcely making a whisper. Anyway, we'll see if SEPT get it right this time, they have made premature announcements before.

Regards

 

Please be aware that the locomotive details have been taken off the unofficial WSR website with an apology. It looks as though the information about proposed visitors was perhaps more a "wish-list" that the organisers were pursuing, rather than confirmed visitors.

 

Ah well.

 

See the website has been updated;

V: 1450 + W178 / 6024 / 71000 / 80072

No mention of the home fleet but presume it will be as follows;

4160 / 5553 / 6960 / 7828 / 3850 / 9351 / 88

 

I attended a PTS course at Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 18th February. Paul Conibeare, WSR General Manager, gave a brief introductory speech in which he announced that negotiations were in hand regarding another, as yet unspecified, guest locomotive for the Spring Gala. However, what was really interesting was his statement that, providing the necessary legal arrangements can be completed in time (Admittedly a fairly big proviso!), the Norton triangle would play a part in the Spring gala, allowing locomotives to be turned at both ends of the line for the first time.
It is to be hoped that the gala planners are already busy working on a timetable that would be able to take full advantage of this extra facility, should all the i's be dotted and t's be crossed by the 17th of next month.

 

From 71000's web-site: Phoenix Heritage Rail Ltd has withdrawn 71000 Duke of Gloucester from Steam Dreams London-Plymouth-London charter with 60163 Tornado on March 10th. Until investigations have been conducted regarding damage sustained during an incident at the East Lancashire Railway on Sunday 26th February it not possible say how the rest of the locomotive’s 2012 programme will be affected. Updates will be posted as information becomes available.

Wonder whether the Duke will make it to the WSR gala?

 

Now officially withdrawn from the WSR Spring Gala. However Britannia is due to appear for the first weekend (with possibly more appearances).

Steve

 

I know that I'm not an expert of anything but looking at UK Steam 70000 is not booked down for any trips during the second weekend. It's next trip would be on April 12 covering for Braunton.

 

I find it very disappointing that two other organisations should chose to have major Spring Galas on the same weekend as the Wizzer. It has become a tradition that WSR start the season at the end of March. I's have thought HRA would have been the clearing house to prevent such clashes!
Now that the Duke isn't running at WSR they are really in a bad place unless a spectacular addition can be conjured up.