Battlefield Line Railway - Shackerstone - STEAM GALA 2012

I would not like to specify which way it will be facing but I believe it is facing north, like 1306 did and 3803 does.

 

That's a bit of a pity; it would be better facing south for photography. Four engines in steam is a lot of traction when you've only got signalling at Shackerstone and there's only capacity for a single train south of there. How about top and tailing the passenger train?

 

Hmm, I don't know. As a fireman on the line I feel that there are a few nice photo op's on the northbound route, but the south has the odd few too.

Everything timetable wise is still in the planning stage BUT rest assured that everything is being considered by those in high places. Four engines is correct, but one of them is only capable of being at Shackerstone (Blue Circle): I believe she is planned for Brake Van Rides in the station limits and to be the Pilot. So, that leaves 3 line-going loco's at the current time. We do have the possibility of locking a loco in at Shenton and thus having an intensive service with alot of loco variability but as I say it is all in the planning. However, there will be more in store than during last years gala...please do come along and enjoy

 

Hi

Thanks for the updates. Do you know how long the Black 5 will be staying for? I really want to have a ride along the line behind her, however it is Mothers day on the sunday and I am struggling for a "pass" out for the day:violin:.

 

No luck on the Saturday? lol

At present, she is steaming 2 days for the gala but we will keep you posted for more. It may well run another weekend but all TBC. Keep an eye on the Battlefield Line website nearer the time

 

Choosing the date was simple...a year on from last years gala(!), and due to the availability of 45379. Shame about the clash with Chasewater but we arguably are close enough for visitors to do both in the same day!

Keep your eyes peeled for more updates as they occur. At the moment, 45379 is the big news for us - it will be a pleasure to welcome a Black 5 back to the old ANJR metals for the first time since BR Days. It will also be a lovely but unusual contrast against our long-term Western visitor; Heavy Freight 2-8-0 No3803.

For those of you who haven't visited the Battlefield Line before, this gala may be the perfect opportunity. Also don't forget that as usual there will be the chance to sample the country delights of the Bosworth Battlefield Country Park and of course the fabulously querky Railwayana museum on Shackerstone's Platform 1

 

I wish the railway well. It is very close to where I was brought up and have had some great times as a visitor. Good to see that steam is strongly back on the agenda. on a few recent visits there has been no steam avalible so good luck to you all.

 

Thank you my friend. Do visit us again! Nice pic of the lovely B1 Mayflower by the way

Yes, unfortunately we did have a bit of a steam shortage a few years ago before we were 'saved' by the long-term visit of the B1 Mayflower. Things really took off again in 2010 when we had the two Western tanks in (5542 for the summer and 5786 for the winter). Naturally, 1306 was also still with us. 2011 was also fabulous with 1306, 5542 and long-term visitor 3803 putting in great performances, not to mention the return to service of the Peckett Sir Gomer. So yes, everything seems to be taking off well. For your info, 3803 will be with us throughout 2012 so if you're ever nearby, please do pay us a visit

 

Hi all,
Just a Quick update to let you all know the latest news.
We are planning to have three sets of stock available for the gala. This will be a passenger set a three coach local set and also a freight train hopefully about 13 wagons long.
we are also having trade stands and a Gauge 1 live steam layout in the goods shed at Market Bosworth.
we are still unsure which way to have the black Five in as we like our loco's facing north for operational reasons. For photagraphs I do not see why it would matter which way the loco faces as we have seen some exellent pictures taken of 3803 over the past year. Tree clearance has created some good veiws of trains comming out of shenton.
we will keep you updated as the event developes.
please support us as we a pulling the stops out for this event.
Regards
Adrian

 

Adrian, The reason it's better they face south is to do with lighting and exposure of photographs. If you're not a photographer, you might not know these things, be able to tell the difference. Generally, the best photographs are taken on sunny days, as that gives better colour saturation, better colour to the sky, and you can use lower ISO number (slower film speed, which gives more detail). However, the contrast range that a camera can deal with is a lot less than your eyes - your brain is able to compensate to a certain extent whereas a camera sensor can't. You may note that if you're driving south into the winter sun on a sunny day such as today, how everything becomes extremely constrasty and you can't see properly. The classic 3/4 shot has the train travelling towards the camera with sunlight lighting both the front and sides of the train. The lighting is from the sun behind the camera, and the photons fly in over the photographer's head, bounce off the subject and then back and into the camera. The first issue with changing this the other way round is that an engine facing north can't have the sun on its nose because the nose is facing away from the sun (although it can have sun on the side). But that's not the main issue. Taking a 3/4 facing south means that you are backlighting the scene, and tend to overexpose the sky; in other words you introduce clipping to the photograph (see Clipping (photography) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). By way of example, the photo above of 61306 has an overexposed sky which is at least partly due to shooting south. From the shadows, it looks like it's a sunny but slightly hazy day. In my experience, that's the sort of technical fault that people miss if they haven't done much semi-serious photography themselves. But having said all that I'm now going to contradict myself by saying that sometimes, backlit photographs can have more of an artistic feel to them. And such a challenge for a photographer isn't necessarily always a bad thing. There are some nice shots just north of Shenton that are more side-on rather than classic 3/4, and engines facing north would be better suited to that particular location. There would also be some nice side-on style shots around Barton Lane area, where the line is on an embankment, although the last time I looked it was unfortunately obscured by lineside vegetation. But that's basically why it's better for photography for them to face south. It may be a factor for those on photo charters as well, but you'd have to speak to Russ Hillier (or whoever's organising them) about that to see what they prefer. I realise you have a railway to run, and obviously the decision is one that needs to take into operational factors as well. It's good to see the Battlefield line having some ambition and putting this event on. Sorry about the lack of paragraphs in this post - I put them in but the software isn't accepting them.

 

Probably only the gala weekend & the following weekend at the mo.

 

The LMS Patriot project will be there in the Trade area, come and say hello and ask us questions in person if you like. Cheers

 

i have just been onto the Heritage Railway magazine website where there is an advert for the event. It says that there is another guest loco on top of those already announced. Anyone have any clues what this could be?

Thanks

 

It seems that the 5 is now not going? Any reason?

 

Taken from Welcome to the Battlefield Line Online

Sadly we have to announce that our Spring Gala is to be postponed until later in the year.

Unfortunately Stanier Black 5 No. 45379 will not be attending due to circumstances beyond our control.​

It is hoped that we can re-schedule the gala for mid September.​

Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.
​

 

Please look out for more updates on this situation as the weeks pass.

Spring Gala is to be postponed until later in the year

BUT keep an eye out for what will come in its wake... More updates as they occur. All eyes peeled on battlefield-line-railway.co.uk

 

Three months to go until the 2012 Steam Gala at the Battlefield Line.

As mentioned in Steam Railway magazine, a Black 5 (specifically No45379) will be gracing our metals for the first time in preservation.

The Black 5 will also be joined by long term Shackerstone visitor - GWR Heavy Freight 2-8-0 No3803 (from the SDR)

Firmer details will be available as the event draws nearer but rest assured it will be a fantastic weekend

 

NEW GALA THREAD AT http://railways.national-preservati...line-steam-gala-2012-september-15th-16th.html