GWSR Gala request

I would go for a big name GWR engine which would draw the crowds in, and go for something medium to small size engines.

So my preference would be 6023 / 46521 / 3205 and a Pannier Tank.

 

If possible, some 'staged' nightshoots around Toddington station & shed once the timetable has finished for the day for say £10 would get my money, apart from the SVR ASG and the occasional December Mainline run, I have very little opportunity for night time phots of steam.

Hopefully your Linesiding policy is unchanged, if so you can be certain of my cash for that too.

Im not too fussed about the Loco line up to be honest, just be good to be back on the Glos Warks after what seems like years away.

 

For steam either 70000 or 70013 would go down a treat and for diesel a Western, all types that used the line and would look right at home (plus the King and Steam Railmotor already mentioned )

 

Are you paying for the new carbon shafts for the Western after its road trip?

 

Or in other words:

Sir Handel, unfortunately the design of Class 52s precludes them from being transported by road. The specific issue is their Carden Shafts. I won't pretend to know what these are but basically they wouldn't survive the inevitable bumps and vibrations of getting on and off a trailer. Until the GWSR reaches Honeybourne, sadly a Western won't feature amongst the visitors - because you're right, it'd be lovely to see one there!

 

Ah ok, fair enough.

 

I wonder, given presumably the Carden Shaft is something in the transmission between loco and bogies, coulden't the loco be lifted off it's bogies, transported, then lifted back on at destination ?.

 

I suppose it's feasible, but the work involved and the resulting expense - two trailers, one of which adapted to safely transport a bogieless body - would put me off the concept.

 

Also, would any of the Western owners want to strip their loco down just to visit a preserved line for a gala.

 

Well quite! Although if a Western owner were looking at having their loco permanently based on a railway without NR connection I suppose it could be considered then.

 

I had this in mind when I suggested a Western. As you say the road transport issue may have been why it didn't happen.

Are Hymeks/Warships transportable by road?

 

Yes both eg 7076/832 to GCR.
Probably before your time but 821 has already visited GWR.

 

It's a fair point, I was just curious really if it was technically possible to transport it like that, I can see all that hassle for a gala as being unattractive to loco owners, perhaps something like say a loan for 2 years would make it more worthwhile, but then again I doubt the GWR are in a position to offer such a deal currently.

 

Thanks for the information. I lost interest in railways during the 1990s - a quick Google search shows 821 visited in 1994 when I was busy trying to drink the pubs of Sheffield dry as a student

 

For me it would have to be a Bristol Theme. If you could get Leander (might be back next year??) and a castle. It all depends on how BIG you want to go? Are you talking a Thurs to Sun ie GCR/WSR autumn style. Or a Double weekender like the NYMR/WSR spring? or just the 3 day fri/sat/sun.

From the Broadway blog interest (16000 per month now) a lot of people will want to catch a vintage bus to see their great progress.

What ever happens i will be there. But Please have a later train, i enjoy the late night runs.

 

If we're doing buses, any chance of asking Keith for a repeat visit of 4527 or 4738? Absolute monsters! :lol:

 

I might suggest a Cheltenham theme - how about:
No:925 'Cheltenaham'
large prairie No:5164 (I believe this was a one time Cheltenham based loco)
No:6960 'Raveningham Hall' (Hauled first train to Cheltenham)
No:1450 with autotrain/GWS railmotor No:93
And home based locomotives, preferably with No:2807 hooked up to the GWR goods train.

I think the suggestion of a classic bus link to Broadway is an excellent one, as is the suggestion of trains running later in the evenings, though of course this would place additional strain on a volunteer workforce who already do so much for the railway. Looking forward to the repair of Chicken Curve and looking forward to this gala already.

 

Two ways of doing it: go for a GWR-gala, but you did that in 2010, or someting a bit different. An unusual guest or two is always good, just look at last year's SVR Autumn Gala and the appearance of 828. A Cheltenham theme gala would be interseting especially if 925 could be there, it also ticks the 'a bit different' box.gala
How late have GWSR galas normally run to?

 

I like this idea, but does the GWSR have "shuntable" sidings at any stations? My memory is that, like most preserved lines, all available siding space is occupied by rolling stock of some description. Also, does the signalling allow it, particularly during a busy gala timetable?