Battlefield Line Railway - Shackerstone - STEAM GALA 2012

Hi everyone.

Today the date has been released for the Battlefield Line Railway's 2012 STEAM GALA. The dates are Sat 17th/Sun 18th March 2012. Those of you who attended this years gala (with GWR favourties No5542 and No3803) seemed to be impressed and we hope to improve on the event in 2012. So, why not come along and join us for our first gala of the new season and shake off those winter blues as spring sets in!

More details as they happen, but for now, there is the date. The only engine that can probably be confirmed at present is the Great Western 2-8-0 No3803 but do 'watch this space' and, as the event draws nearer, keep an eye on www.battlefield-line-railway.co.uk !

Kind Regards

 

Two words - SIR GOMER.

Al

 

Definitely - star of the show, especially if she can work a goods train.

 

Agreed, although I'm not so sure about the freight - just a nice heavy passenger train... :lol:

 

Seconded! I think it would be sacrilege if there was a steam gala at Shackerstone, and Sir Gomer didn't get a look in!

 

Hi guys. "Sir Gomer" unfortunately wasn't ready in time for the last gala so couldn't take part. I believe the plan is that it WILL be in steam at the 2012 gala BUT this is all up the air. It depends if she is away on loan or not. But, if she is at home, plan is to run her. (And, Alex, its out on the first Santa's this sunday...that will be the first passenger trains it has hauled at home for some time ...

Sam

 

Would you be able to give any update as to the Battlefield Line's other steam loco's - Waleswood, No 7, Richard III etc?

Thanks

 

Certainly can give an update my friend. The Hudswell Clarke "Waleswood" is leaving the railway (for Statfold I believe) after being loaded up with her tank, cab and chimney last Sunday. The loco's boiler has been away from Shackerstone for years. The railways own RSH 0-6-0T "Richard III" was moved into the shed's no2 road last Sunday after about 4 years outside. Now we have room for her, she is in. It is hoped that gradual restoration will begin on this engine asap, with the boiler already away for a new firebox...

The Bagnall "Lamport No3" stands behind 'Richard' in complete condition though out of ticket and awaiting new firebox. That is a long term storage job I believe. The Peckett "Dunlop No7" has recently been brought out of the North End sidings where it has lurked behind all the diesels for at least 20 years in stripped condition. The engine is in very bad condition BUT, I believe that gradual restoration is planned over the coming years. The Aveiling & Porter "Blue Circle" is currently out of service having a 14-month gear overhaul but I believe it will be back in action early in 2012. "Sir Gomer" is of course in operational condition.

Hope that helps.

 

"Sir Gomer" has now gone off on its winter holidays to the Cholsey Railway where it will be doing 6 days in december. It will however be back with us before Xmas Day (so is the plan!). We then plan to winterise the engine as of course we will be shut until early March for our 'P-Way Season'. As it stands at present, I believe the plan is to throw in "Sir Gomer" for the gala (crews and availability permitting).

The railway's new, 2012 leaflet describes the gala as "All Available Engines in Steam" and "At least one visiting engine". So, there you have it. The operational home-based fleet currently stands at "Blue Circle", "Sir Gomer" and GW 2-8-0 No3803, all three of which MAY appear depending on availability.

 

Sounds promising Date in my next year diary already

 

Hi guys,

Plans are well afoot for the steam gala. Visiting locomotive still TBC but please continue to watch this space!

CURRENT ROSTER -
*GWR 2884 Class 2-8-0 No3803 (courtesy of South Devon Railway)
*Peckett OX1 0-6-0ST "Sir Gomer"
*2-2-0 Aveiling & Porter "The Blue Circle"

The gala will mark the return to work of "Blue Circle" following sitting out of service for a gear overhaul throughout this year. I believe the plan at present is to have her on brakevan rides at Shackerstone: a favourite duty of hers!

Trusting "Sir Gomer" is at home (she has been on 2 trips in the last 3 months alone!) then she is also planned to be out strutting her stuff, flying the flag for the Battlefield Line's industrial roots which paved the way during its early preservation days.

The long-term loan of GWR No3803 is a fabulous addition to this gala and for those who have not yet sampled this Western beauty on our Midland line then this may be the perfect opportunity.

Plans are still in their infancy but rest assured that we will be trying our best to put on a fantastic show on our little railway, known as "Leicestershires Best Kept Secret". Hope to see you there!

 

Any chance of running a bus service from Nuneaton (as has happened for some diesel galas) to allow those of us without a car to visit?

 

I believe Market Bosworth station is open these days - so just get a 153 from Leicester

EDIT: 153 being the bus route, not half a 155, but you got that :lol:.

 

Just need a South Wales based austerity to complete the set lol

 

aliG...you bring it and we will steam it! But you can need a bigger boot in your car for Mech Navvies . Haha. Would be lovely to have it though.

malc...The diesel gala's used to have a bus service prior to the opening of market bosworth station. This is because I do not believe that shackerstone is served by bus at the weekends. Market Bosworth however does receive a service and there is a stop not to far from the station drive. Hope this helps. A few of our visitors this year seem to be using the service more.

Best regards,

Sam

 

Malc, you might find this link useful. Traveline East Midlands - Bus, Tram, Train and Coach Information - English
The 'bus operator is Arrivabus Midlands.

 

Thank you oddsocks. The bus service to M.Bosworth is a great addition for this gala, as it was to the last. Hopefully more people will visit us this year thanks to this service. As we say, at present, 3 loco's in steam (3803, Sir Gomer & Blue Circle). WATCH THIS SPACE!

 

Hi guys

The visiting locomotive headlining the gala can now be announced. She is none other than...

LMS Black 5 4-6-0 No45379 (courtesy of Mid Hants Railway)

 

Hi guys

The visiting locomotive headlining the gala can now be announced. She is none other than...

LMS Black 5 4-6-0 No45379 (courtesy of Mid Hants Railway)


We are very pleased indeed to be able to host a preservation FIRST for the Battlefield Line. This will be the first opportunity since BR Days to see an LMS Class 5 4-6-0 (one of Stanier's best!), and indeed ride behind one(!), on the old Ashby & Nuneaton Joint Railway metals. It is also worth noting that this engine once travelled along this line during her working career and so seeing her here again is very nostalgic for most!

The Black 5 will join our intensive timetable, alongside our other main line guest: loan term visiting GWR 2884 Heavy Freight 2-8-0 No3803 (courtesy of South Devon Railway).

It is also hoped that Peckett "Sir Gomer" and Aveiling "Blue Circle" will be in steam at Shackerstone.

Keep your eye out for more updates as they happen. Thanks guys.

 

can this one *please* face south?