Foxfield Railway 2012 Steam Galas

The weather is always a bit of a lottery in the good old UK - I've been to soaking wet July Galas - but I agree that a dedicated "coal railway" event is a must at the Foxfield no matter what time of year it is held.

 

Personally, I love the fact that they mix up the freights for the Autumn Gala...it adds a different and interesting aspect to the railway!

Thanks,
Lewis

 

For me Lewis the problem is mixed freights are not generally authenthic on industrial railways. There were exceptions (docks, industrial estates, military railways, sugar industry (minerals for beet and vans for pulp)) but the vast majority of rural industrial railways were designed to serve one industry and therefore did not operate mixed trains. I hope you would agree that long coal trains operating the full line in nice light, autumn colours and with authenthic power will look better than Whiston on two wagons and a brake? Anyhow it is great to see the Foxfield getting lots of positive coverage 8 months before the next gala.

Cheers,

 

Thinking completely out of the box, how about a gala that doesnt completely centre around photographers??

Who cares about paint and rakes. Anything that runs does just that! steam or diesel.

So sick of taking friends to galas (who arent what you would call an enthusiast) for a good day out only to be muscled off the end of platforms and the lineside by die hard photographers with no manners who just elbow you out of the way!!!!!!!!!

Equally i have a love of ANYTHING that runs on rails steam/diesel/electric/compressed air whatever and foxfield has some wonderful engines that arent usually seen, such as Rom River, Hercules etc. A gala used to be about running anything possible in any combination possible. Seeing the sort of stuff that you wouldnt normally see.

All the fun has gone out of them

 

Well said Matt. A gala like that outlined by Matt, with everything running and with various combinations of power and stock would definitely get my vote. Preferably it would be in the Summer so that trains can run a bit later into the evening and would include regular passener trains to the colliery.

To appease those that crave authenticity, perhaps a series of coal train days like tanfield hold, would suit? These could run a few times in the year and use the home fleet, maybe two or three locos each day so that throughout the year each loco would get to take part.

 

Around five years ago Foxfield tried diesel galas using the home fleet and interesting guest engines but obviously they weren't popular enough to continue. I must say I would like to see a mixed traction day but not in place of the steam galas. As passenger trains are not allowed into the colliery doesn't the current format suit everyone, those that want to watch and those that ride? Also remember the vast majority of people who enjoy steam on Foxfield bank (and yes take photographs ) have brought rover tickets.

 

What's also often overlooked is the noise that can be had from a loco on the passenger section, at least in the case of the smaller locos. No.19 this year, for example, was quite something, as seen at various points in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ3INixKkws Not quite a 1in19, no, but better than most!

 

Looks like the Summer and Autumn Gala's theme should swap places,
so the "Anything Goes" one is in July instead...
Or why not have 2 consecutive weekends in the summer as a gala, one for the photographers and one for everyone else, that way the visiting engine(s) would more than likely be available for both. Might not be economical though.

 

Thank you for your comments so far. It is a hard balancing act to try and make sure we do please everyone, rest assured we won't be changing our gala's much. We want to make sure the way we run them is as smoothly as possible, entertain EVERYONE and most of all the railway makes a good profit. The problem how I see it is that looking at our audiences for the past few years I have seen a steady increase in Senior Citizens and a reduction in Adults and Child tickets sales.

This is a bit worrying for the future years to come as the whole heritage rail movement looks at how to make their railway's sustainable. Exactly what Foxfield are doing, as I write this plans are currently being set to for our 50th Anniversary... Only in a few years time, 2017!

A railway's events cannot survive by being just a 'Photographic Gala' or a 'Freight Gala', that's why we have photo charters, to capture those authentic shots of Industrial engines lurking around colliery yards which lends itself to tatty, dirty, etc. I'm afraid that image does not portray itself very well to the modern visitor who want the word industrial to mean clean, reliable, safe & powerful. We are unfortunate in some respects to having the 'Industrial' image we have. In some ways its spectacular, hence the steep bank.

This reminds me!? When did you last see a passenger train at Foxfield in the railway press? I know this is small fry, but things like that do not help us. We are often TOLD your the railway which only runs freights? or How do survive with no income as you don't pull passengers? Obviously not the case but it is a very sensitive issue and one that might change, but only with your help!

All of your thoughts are being looked at and taken into consideration, we'd love to do some really wonderful things but it does boil down to the normal problems, time, money & volunteers.

So now I've had a little rant, I will ask for your help. How many of you have pictures of passenger trains at Foxfield? In fact have you any photos of anywhere on the railway that can be used for publicity? If so could I use them?

Having been so busy myself over the summer with the VOLUNTEER Marketing Manager role I have not been able to take pictures...

Thanks in advance, Best Wishes & Keep posting!

Richard Barnett
Marketing Manager FLRS.
Working towards 2017

 

How about RSH 'Ugly' from the Spa Valley? The only one of the class in the original Stewarts & Lloyds steel works livery? It's a beast with 4 MK1s on our gradients so it should be pretty impressive up Foxfield Bank...

Matt

 

I don't have photo's of any trains on Foxfield but it is my aim to visit in 2012. I have recently begun to get more interested in the Industrial Railway area. I would love to see our engine on a passenger train on the Foxfield...we are looking forward to it already.
Paul Johnson
Hon Treasurer
HL 3837 Preservation Society

 

1501 in it's Coventry colliery NCB maroon!

 

That would get my vote.

 

And mine...

 

Likewise actually, bit of a monster that one!

 

I'm sure the name plates could be removed... We're sticking with the name as it's part of the loco's history and the children love it.

If you're interested, write a letter to the railway. I'm sure the owner would be interested as he likes anything that makes it shout!

Matt

 

I must say for the summer gala 'it aint broken' 'don't fix it' Its a great do and always try to get there for it. In my own personal opinion just seeing the different industrial locos run through the set operation is enough. Maybe if your looking for something a little different from the summer/October gala you need another event? Just a thought!
Keep it up Foxfield!

Gary

 

I would love to think that someday we would be invited to take our engine to Foxfield. Bringing in BR engines would I think reduce your appeal for many but is something you should also keep in mind. Times change.

 

would like to see it there too!