So what makes a good/sucessful gala?? Questions Questions!!

Totally agree....
Try something new at Steam Gala...if it works do it for the Diesel Gala..if not dont......or visa versa.

As Nick has said....steam and diesel galas can and should learn from each other

 

And learning to pray...

 

Good guest Loco's. Bring something in from the other end of the country that you have not seen before

 

For me it is later running. Head out in the dark for me is a great experience, as is standing on a pretty much deserted country platform, watching a headlight bouncing in the distance, growing from a pin prick, until the loco pulls in with a glowing orange cab and a rush of wind and steam.

I also like a busy timetable, particularly to the place on the line with the public transport links. A visiting loco or two is great, but it can be all own rolling stock if the line has enough to run a complex service. Interesting carriages are also a draw for me. I do like freight trains, but if they are taking up passenger slots at busy times... maybe they should do short, one stop pick up goods, to create plenty of gaps for revenue earning services.

Driver for a fiver is also a big plus for me too. Shame you don't see it as much these days.

 

I agree with Charles - later/earlier running is fun to ride and also tophotograph. I work on the Mid Hants' Wine and Dine train and if we layover at Medstead and Four Marks you can stand on the bridge there at 10pm on a cold night and watch/listen as the Real Ale Train pulls up the gradient from Ropley and then pulls into the station....lovely
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arleimages/7908911248/in/set-72157630845077560
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arleimages/9685087657/in/set-72157630845077560
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arleimages/10106228124/in/set-72157630845077560
As for galas - I am not a great fan of huge amounts of double heading,but do like to see one or two visiting locos. Tours around facilities or extra bits open are very good too - although I volunteer on the mid Hants I still enjoy visiting the bolier shop for instance, as that is not something I would normally get involved in

 

For me the following are all important;

Give passengers time to swap trains at stations where trains cross. It frustrates me when this doesn't happen
A comprehensive and busy published timetable that doesn't go into the detail of things like the shunts
Good parking. If I have driven 3 hours, having trouble parking starts the day with a nasty taste in the mouth
Night trains in the winter which are so very atmospheric
A proper discount for tickets purchased in advance and for multiday tickets. One railway (which I won't name) offers a discount for advance purchase, but their credit card fee and delivery makes the overall purchase more expensive than buying the ticket on the day.
Shed visits
Scheduled freights
Lots of locos
Good food and drink at every station where possible
Try to keep to the timetable. Locos that take 3-4 minutes to depart for no obvious reason when the signal goes green do no favours for anyone.
I know railways are trying to raise money but stop trying to sell me raffle tickets on the train as saying 'I bought some earlier' for the 10th time that day gets tedious.
At winter galas, please ensure that the heating is working in the carriages.

 

Just to resurrect this thread... Has anything changed? What makes a good gala? What would make you the enthusiast want to attend or not attend a railways gala?