SDR Easter Gala

Just to let everyone know, the lms patriot project has their sales stand at Buckfastleigh. Today has been a great day. The weather started off superb with a covering of cloud in the afternoon. Their Is a great variety of things going on. Hope to see some of you their. Gavin

 

An excellent first day of the gala is almost at a close with just 80072 to return with the last train of the night. Something else to add for any prospective visitors, the fares at this gala are the same standard fare as for a normal day! I.e just £11.80 for an adult day rover, not bad with 5 locos including 2 visitors and also a railcar in use each day!

 

I am always impressed with SDR fares policy for gala days; charging the same for a 11 or 13 train service (plus demonstration freights providing great photo opportunities) as for the usual 4 train service. I think that most folk wouldn't mind paying a bit more! Perhaps donations to help repair 5526 would not be out of place.

 

some photos from yesterday now at spring steam gala 6-4-12 - keyhamtrain great day and weather was good video now at keyhamtrain - YouTube

 

Good weather again today, despite the forecast. Trains were comfortably busy yesterday, look a bit busier today from the lineside.

 

A cracking three days so far with another still to go. 78019 is proving to be both a cracking and popular performer and is well suited to the line. Likewise 80072 is also proving to be well liked (thanks to the owners of both for allowing them to visit Devon).

After the annual Thomas event (May Day Bank Holiday) our next event will be the 1960's gala on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May. This will be another action packed two day event with fares the same as this weekend. The provisional loco roster for this event is (Steam) 78019 (visiting from the GCR), 5542 (ex works after overhaul) and 3205. (Diesel) D2246 (04), D3721 (09), D8110 (20), D7612 (25), 6737 (37 - appearing in "weathered green"), plus Railcar W55000. Plenty of variety with auto trains, goods, ballast and normal service trains, some double-heading etc. More details in the next couple of weeks.....

In the meantime one more day of the Easter gala to go - see you there if you can make it!

Cheers

 

some more photos from sunday at easter steam gala 8-4-12 - keyhamtrain video at keyhamtrain - YouTube great weekend

 

In spite of wet weather, today (the only day I could go!) was a great day out.

The number of goods/ milk trains was excellent; started my day with 80072 on the milk at Totnes and soon after in came 78019 on freight. Some pleasant rides and visit to Staverton where very welcome hot drinks were available. Both engines look right on the line, plus the home team. I noted that all locos in use were facing the same way, towards Buckfastleigh.

I saw the plans for the site at Buckfastleigh, very ambitious ones, in the museum, which looked better presented than before, with a member of staff there to welcome visitors.

 

The timetable, for the main part, was spot on! Good for photters, plenty of action, and good for passengers as well. No excessive waiting around, even when the goods were running. My only slight criticism would be the first couple of trains didn't connect very well with mainline services, but that's not something that can really be helped.

 

Great event. Well done all and didn't the Standard Four sound good!

 

Cracking gala, my images from all 4 day's can be seen @ Easter Weekend 2012 - a set on Flickr

Thanks to SDR for letting us (The LMS Patriot Project) for having our sales stand! More fund's raised for the loco.

 

Apologies that this slightly overdue but many thanks to all at the SDR for an enjoyable first visit last Saturday. Was a good gala with some interesting workings. I now know where to go for photospots when I make future visits! One of my images from the gala can be seen here:

South Devon Railway | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Hello All,

Finally got around to updating My Rail Traction Photos website with photos from this event.

Its a collection of twenty-six photographs taken over two visits to the Heritage Gala.
Locomotives included are 78019, 80072, W55000, 1369, 3205 & D8110.

I hope you enjoy viewing them.