Severn Valley Spring Gala 23-25 March 2012

It says that the roster will be added nearer the date which is great. On SVR live the Traffic notices and WTTs often get posted, will this be the case for the gala weekend? (so that we can get the full WTT, with light loco workings, sets, shunts/reforms etc)

 

The Loco allocations will be added to the gala leaflet timetable. Trying something new for this spring...

 

Excellent news!

 

That's what I've wanted for some time. I've always bought a Working Timetable in the past but have found them full of information I don't want (crew rosters, loco/carriage set diagrams). Seems a bit of a waste of £5 to buy a document where you're only going to use the first 4 pages!

 

Thanks Tom

 

I'm hoping to attend, probably on the Friday, for my first spring gala. Early thoughts: a nice variety of guest locos (whether or not 828 is replaced by the Jinty) and variety is something I like about the SVR. The A4 is (literally) the big one for me, though. The timetable looks interesting even before allocations, facings etc are available. It does seem a good idea to run the Kidderminster locals to Highley. I'm not the greatest fan of non-stopping trains, other than special cases like the Sunday TRPS run, but I can work round that. The ticket price is effectively cheaper than in the autumn, given there's no need to pay £5 for a WTT. Shame the Cliff Railway fare isn't included this time, though. Mind you, when you can walk to and from a gala, it does amazing things for your bank balance! I'm starting to get rather impatient, which is probably a good sign.

 

Good to know you're along with us David! Don't forget to come and say hello to the lads in the MPD at Bridgnorth if you get a chance! I probably won't be around on the friday, but i'm there saturday and sunday. Very jealous of your walking distance location! 6am cleaning turn means leaving the house at 5am for me that weekend! Enjoy yourself!

 

News on the SVR forum pointing to the return of 828's wheels from Rileys today (freshly painted by Heritage Painting), so it's a case of holding our breath and seeing if the lads can get her back together - and weighed I would expect - in time. From what I can gather the Jinty will be visiting regardless of whether 828 is back together.

 

All the best to those working on 828, of course! Not that I mind seeing the Jinty anyway, but we shall see what we shall see, I imagine.

A question about Evening Rovers: are those only available in advance? The SVR website's front page mentions them in the little square in the bottom right, but if you click on that, the "Fares at a Glance" page doesn't mention evening fares. However, if you go to "Click here to book" from there, the evening fare is included in the drop-down list. I'm guessing that as the advance evening fare is £9.50, you can get them on the day for a tenner... but I can't find confirmation of that anywhere.

 

You could buy evening tickets on the day at the autumn gala, as you said for a little more than in advance. As for the SSG, i couldn't say for certain, but i see no reason for the system to change.

Personally, I hope 828 makes it. It's a lovely machine and really gutsy too.

 

With all the best of luck given to the 828 boys to get her done in time, 47406 will be the loco used in 828's planned diagram, a draft of the case of events for 828 if she's completed has also been produced, My hope, and belief is that she'll be done in time, but, as with most things railway related, a backup plan is always best to have.
Jinty/828 doubleheader on 8 coaches anyone? eace:

 

I'll take some of that action Mr C! I'm sure it'll be a great show, no matter what role 828/47406 play.

 

Noticed that 'J72' No:69023 'Joem' has been dropped from the list of visiting engines, which is a shame as I was looking forward to seeing it for the first time. Still, 'Jinty' No:47046 makes a very welcome replacement. I'm sure it will be a great gala, really looking forward to this one.
Just wondering about the timetable, is there any particular reason why the majority of the local trains Kidderminster - Highley run non stop either through Bewdley or Arley, or in some cases both?

 

Probably a glitch in the SVR website, 69023 is still attending...

 

Just what I wanted to hear! So, if 828 does make it, there'll be five visitors -- very nice!

 

Oh,That's great! Makes what might have been 'just' a great gala sound like its going to be superb......

 

Presumably to relieve the overcrowding at Highley

 

I would also hazard a guess that it buys enough time at Highley to detrain and get clear into the sidings.

 

Thanks for the response. I guess that makes sense and should relieve some of the overcrowding experienced at Highley during the Autumn Steam Gala last year.
On a separate note, the latest loco allocations on the public working timetable have just been published. View them for yourself here: http://www.svr.co.uk/pdf/specialevents/Public TT Loco.pdf
Looks like an interesting and varied timetable, the loco allocations should make it easier to plan out a day, although they are, of course, subject to change.

 

Correct and correct!