GWSR Gala request

I seem to recall that on this gala and events section there was a thread called 'what do you expect/like to see at a gala' - but i cant find it now, anyone know where it is?
We had our first gala committee meeting at the weekend to discuss the return of the steam gala to a bigger and better GWSR in 2013.

The committee had an informal meeting to broadly discuss dates, event length etc. and hope be in a position to release more news sometime in June.
In the meantime, any thoughts....

 

My only request is that I would love to see a Castle on the GWSR. Aside from that, I have every confidence that you will maintain the GWSR's reputation for excellent galas, cemented perhaps by GW175!

 

Seconded! Perhaps rope in a Pannier and a 41/51xx too. Alongside Foremarke hall, 2807, 5542 and a Castle that's a pretty good Cotswold steam gala!

 

Sorry...I said that was my only request...if you could throw in a Jubilee as well (not sure how you could with Leander out at the moment) that'd be great! Would represent both companies' Birmingham-Bristol expresses.

 

Hey, I would like to see some of the following engines, 46115 Scots Guardsman, 7822 Foxcote Manor, 73050 City Of Peterborough, 43924, 35028 Clan Line
And 6201 Princess Elizabeth, And possibly a big name engine such as Sir Nigel Gresley or Duchess Of Sutherland or even 4965 Rood Aston Hall and 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe

With The possibilty of some engines on static display such as 4270, 6984 & 44027

Thanks Young Railway Man

 

I like that you suggest Clan Line, Lizzie and Scots Guardsman and THEN suggest a "big name" like Rood Ashton :') The mind boggles.

 

With no real gradients at GWSR (not your fault, you were doubletrack cross country route) be nice to see some small engines that are required to actually work, and being of Western orientation my ideas would be 1450 / 1369 / 3205 / 1638 + other Panniers etc. Something non-Western, when did an Ivatt 2 last visit? Maybe have 1 or 2 namers in to help bring the crowds though, 6023 and a Manor?

As for the event itself make sure a Public Timetable is available in advance of your event, not half way through, and includes what locos are in operation on each day. If you want to charge people for the diagrams I personally don't have any problem purchasing them so long as its not overly expensive, but at least let visitors have some idea of when to turn up. Few years back I remember one rly charging £3 for a small Black/White A5 booklet with not much to it and I did feel ripped off, especially when the next event I went to I got a colour A4 brochure with info on the locos, history of the line, reason for the event etc all for £3.50!

Personally I like to see TT run later than normal on galas, into the early evening at least, though if it's felt this couldn't be justified in terms of covering costs then fair enough though maybe worth trying evening tickets and advertise them to locals? (Though still ensure all potential visitors are aware of their availability.)

 

It would be nice to see a home based gala once Chicken Curve reopens using 2807, 8274, 7903, 5542 and the diesels! Maybe bring back 3717! Just to celebrate and show off the line's regular traction.

 

Rather than requesting loco X or Y, I'd like to go for quite an open one - something *different* from the norm. Be it side shows, an unusual loco, longer trains, or whatever else the imagination can come up with - just something to show that it's a gala, rather than a normal running day with a frequent timetable!

 

It's interesting that you note sideshows - I have to say, bizarre though it sounds, I find these to be gimmicky and to detract from the experience for me. Ambience is a very important aspect to me, and beer tents, marquees, narrow gauge/miniature locos in fields and so on I find off-putting. I appreciate I'm probably in a minority over this. The only thing I do like down this road are a few - just a few - railwayana traders.

I'd agree with lil Bear's suggestion for somewhat later running, as that is an especially enjoyable feature for me, as running into the twilight/dark really adds to the ambience - one of the reasons I'll always be found at the SVR's Autumn Gala and the GCR's January Gala.

Freight trains are also a must, especially reasonably authentic looking one's, not festooned with brake vans.

I appreciate that quite a bit of what I've just said may be taken as knocking the SSS's. It's not meant to, they're just not my type of gala.

 

A big named engine would be good in my books, but as someone has already suggested though, something "different" from the norm of what has usually been seen on the line before, would be an added bonus.

As for which big named engines in particular, for me seeing City of Truro return after all this time would be great, though the idea of a blue king running over Chicken curve is very tempting... Certainly it would demonstrate that the embankment is in tip top shape, so much so that it can handle the weight of one of the heaviest locos around!

Having said all that though, from what limited knowledge I know, it is entirely possible that the GWSR will have a couple of new engines of it's own running soon, that could easily be dubbed the star attractions.

I am of course talking about the two restoration projects that, while being pretty quiet during their long but steady restoration process, have suddenly jumped onto the scene, close to completion: Merchant Navy class No. 35006 'Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co' and 42xx class No. 4270

Whether or not either of them will be running by the time of the gala... I can't say anything for No. 35006, though it would be fair to assume that the gala would most likely be their aim to have it ready by, but I can't say for certain.

As for No. 4270, there's little doubt in my mind that that big beaut will be running by then, as from what I know, she pretty much complete. All thats needed now is the boiler and that apparently will arrive later in the year, so there'll be plenty of time to get her ready.

In truth though, none of this matters much to me, as I'm just pleased as punch that the line will soon be complete again and that they'll be finally holding a gala after a long hiatus...

 

The Gotherington shuttles seemed to go down well last time as something novel although that was probably aided by the fact it was the end of the line?

 

The GWS Steam Railmotor would be fantastic and absolutely prototypical. Steam railmotors were common on the Honeybourne Line when it first opened in 1906 and the famous photo of a steam railmotor with the headboard destination "Broadway" taken before 1910, could be recreated. For 2015, the Railmotor should even be able to get to said destination!

 

Even better when No 92 is finished and available to run with it.

 

In no particular order

Small cameos set up at stations, including freight pickups and shunting. The set up at Gotherington a couple of years ago was also great to sit and watch.

Use of vintage buses to give an extra dimension, especially to Broadway with a drop off at the emerging station or link with the National Trust Abbey or Stanley House or Winchcombe Railway Museum

Access to the yard at Toddington with veiwing galley

Brakevan rides between Winchcombe / Toddington / Gotherington. Wind & steam in your hair!

A breakfast special for the early birds & a Fish & Chip special for the evening run.

Real ale & cider tent.

Offer caravan / camping pitches for those who want to make a weekend of it.

What about a large vintage fete at say Gotherington or Winchcombe, in keeping with the era to keep the family entertained and raise money. After all I would suggest that families will spend the most per head at any event.

Clean & well maintained toilets and good quality food, not just 'greasy joes' burgers & chips.

Just a few ideas, intering to hear peoples views

 

For visiting Engines, why not invite those from the home fleets of railways that put events on to raise the GWSR money. The GCR and SVR as examples just off the top of my head.

 

I think thats a very good idea. It would be a nice tip of the hat, if you will, and I think would be much appreciated by the railways mentioned.

 

Like Andy2857, I think that that is an excellent idea. Erlestoke and 46521 for my preference!

 

Liking all the idea's. Whatever runs, remember we should be able to put on a much improved timetable as we will be able to use Gotherington loop for the first time at a gala. Also the runround loop at Laverton will be operational allowing the full 12 miles to be used whilst the hope is to resignal Winchcombe to allow south bound trains to run into either platform.