BATTLEFIELD LINE - SHACKERSTONE - STEAM GALA 2013 - MARCH 16th/17th!

I'm sure Blue Circle will be accompanied by a brakevan at Shackerstone at some point during the weekend

Sir Gomer on the other hand will be out, down the line with the coaching stock during the weekend so I'm positive there will be a chance to get a ride behind her!!

 

"Hello Beasty!"...

Our beast of a Peckett "Sir Gomer" is waiting in the Shackerstone Engine Shed ready to meet 30120 and 30585 in only three weeks time!!

A Few Facts About This Gala
* This is the FIRST TIME that a T9 has visited the Battlefield Line
* This is the FIRST TIME that a Beattie Well Tank has visited the Battlefield Line
* This is the FIRST TIME that a National Collection Locomotive has visited the Battlefield Line
* This Gala Weekend Will Be The Public's ONLY Chance To Catch The Beattie In Action!!

Timetable
* There will be a varied timetable including:
1) Three train sets (Main passenger, Short Freight and Local Passenger)
2) Top & Tailed shuttles to Market Bosworth only, featuring Sir Gomer & 30585
3) One full-line short freight each day to Shenton & return
4) At least one double-header each day

The Age Factor
Both of our visiting engines were built in the 1800s, with the T9 herself being of 1899 vintage. The Beattie Well Tank is even older! Why not come along and ride behind two locomotives that are both well over 100 years old and still going strong! These are two of the oldest operating standard gauge loco's running at the current time!

Driver For A Tenner
Why not try your hand at driving the Peckett "Sir Gomer" for a tenner at Shackerstone Station. The ex-Mountain Ash engine will be available for this activity at selected points during the weekend whilst places last.

A Ride On The Battlefield Line
* This weekend will be a perfect opportunity to ride on the Battlefield Line, with services hauled by either Sir Gomer, 30120 and 30585
* The Buffet Car "Jessie" will be open on the main train rake this weekend serving her brilliant ALL DAY BREAKFASTS!
* Also on the train we will be serving Real Ale!

At Shackerstone This Weekend
* The artist Jonathan Clay who has created two paintings especially for this gala!
* Stands including:
1) The Unknown Warrior - LMS Patriot
2) Hengist Project - Clan
3) Jonathan Clay
and more to come!!
* Victorian Tea Rooms Open on Platform 1
* Brakevan Rides with Blue Circle
* Driver for a Tenner with "Sir Gomer"
* Shackerstone Railway Museum

MORE UPDATES AS THEY HAPPEN!!

 

Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls...may I please have your attention. Please be upstanding for the arrival of our first star guest...Beattie Well Tank No30585...

She's a little beauty. Please remember that the STEAM GALA WEEKEND is your only chance to catch the two Southern visitors in steam TOGETHER. It will also be your only chance to see the beautiful Beattie in steam at all. Please come and see the Southern lovely's, with "Sir Gomer" and "Blue Circle" out to compliment them!!

 

When will a timetable be ready?

Thanks,
Lewis

 

There we go guys - the timetable for the weekend. As well as the three line-going locomotives we hope to have "Blue Circle" in steam around Shackerstone Station with selected periods for brakevan rides.​

 

Will normal single/return fares be available in addition to the rover? Not going to be able to get anything like the whole day free, but if I can find an hour I'd like a quick trip!

 

Just wondering which way are they facing and are they all the same way?

 

All four locomotives face Shenton, pennysteam. The two Southern's in particular face the same way to aid their double-heading on the last departure from Shackerstone on Sunday.

 

I'm afraid that for this gala we are only offering Rover tickets and weekend tickets on the trains. We are however offering Platform tickets at £3 per adult for Shackerstone, and £1 per child (refundable against a train ticket).
Adult Rover - £16.00
Senior Rover - £14.00
Child Rover - £8.00
Family Rover (2a and up to 3c) - £45.00

 

Right guys...we are really getting near now...we are starting to prep all of the serious stuff at the railway for what promises to be a fantastic weekend, with 21 departures from Shackerstone overall!

So, a few highlights of this gala:
* Morning freight train departing Shackerstone at 8:45am each day for a full line run behind 30585
* Top & Tailed Market Bosworth (only) Local train, departing Shackerstone at 1pm & 2:30pm each day, behind 30585 and "Sir Gomer"
* Full line Local Train set out behind 30585 both days, leaving Shackerstone at 11am and 4pm
* Double-headed Sunday night finale run behind both 30585 & 30120...leaving Shackerstone at 5:15pm (Sunday only)
* For industrial fans, "Sir Gomer" will have a single, full-line trip on Saturday evening, leaving Shackerstone at 5:10pm (Saturday only)

* There will be typical Shunting Demonstrations at Shackerstone, involving Beattie Well Tank 30585
* Brakevan rides at Shackerstone with "Blue Circle" during the weekend
* Driver for a Tenner at Shackerstone with "Sir Gomer"
* All Day Breakfasts available on the Griddle Car
* Real Ale on the train

* Trade stands including Jonathan Clay, Hengist Group and LMS Patriot Project at Shackerstone
* Model Railway at Market Bosworth Station
* Victorian Tea Room at Shackerstone
* Shackerstone Railwayana Museum
* A chance to see Southern Engines a LONG, LONG Way From Home!!

OK guys well, I can really say no more and so lets hope for the weather and plan for a fantastic weekend. Please support the Battlefield Line and its hard working staff as we bring "Cornwall to Leicestershire", for ONE WEEKEND ONLY!

Thank You

 

sir gomer, are you able to confirm that it will be possible to change from the Griddle Car Set to the Local set and vice versa at Shackerstone even if the trains are running a bit late? (i.e. no instances of one train being dispatched as soon as the other arrives as per certain other railways)

 

Had a good time today glad such a brave choice by the battlefield line hope they get the reward for it the weather might have put a few off but well worth attending if you got not much to do tomorow.

 

Some pics from the Saturday of the event: Battlefield Line Steam Gala - a set on Flickr

Weather was pretty appalling in the morning, but got drier and brighter around lunchtime, sadly the forecast for tomorrow doesn't look any better .

 

What a fantastic gala! The Battlefield line certainly know how to put on a good show: excellent engines, lovely local set and a timetable to match!

My efforts from yesterday:


30120 by Teenage Steam Photography, on Flickr


30585 by Teenage Steam Photography, on Flickr


30120 by Teenage Steam Photography, on Flickr


30585 by Teenage Steam Photography, on Flickr

Well done to everyone involved, and thank you!

Thanks,
Lewis Maddox

 

Local line so popped over, very nice couple of locos, sun even came out whilst the T9 and Beattie well tank were alongside each other at Shackerstone

 

Thank you to all who attended. It was a fabulous weekend!

 

Turned out nice Sunday pm so popped over - the two LSWR loco's looked right at home on the rural branch line. Also met the Hengist team who parted me from my folding stuff. A few snaps up later.....

 

I heard yesterday that the Beattie is running next weekend and that the T9 will be running over Easter to a special timetable can anyone confirm this?

Thanks

Dave

 

Answering my own question after the event...

Yes, you were able to change trains despite the fact that the T9 always stopped on the barrow crossing, it was uncoupled as quickly as possible and the other train was held to allow passengers across. Excellent! If only some other railways provided the level of service for fare-paying passengers. My first visit to the line (now that it's accesible by public transport) and rather impressed. A fiver for a full breakfast, including tea or coffee, in the griddle car wasn't bad either.

 

Some photos from Saturday here

A very good day at a line I haven't visited for years.