Steel Steam and Stars 4 - March 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 2015

The news is finally out, SSS4 has been given the go ahead, and will be held on the weekends of 6th, 7th and 8th then 13th, 14th and 15th of March 2015.



Only just appeared on the 6880 Facebook page, so further details to follow

 

YES

 

Thanks for the heads up on this - been waiting for an announcement for some time now. Have just booked the station house at Glyndyfrdwy for the second weekend and hoping that the weather will be drier than it was for SSSIII!
Cheers,

 

Am planning to be in the camp site at Carrog - found it really good the past 2 years.

 

I also stayed in Glyndyfrdwy station house during SSSIII, and found it very comfortable and especially convenient for the evening beer trains. I'm definitely one for my home comforts, and SWMBO is even more so!

 

You should be even closer to a bar there next year. The station master is installing a small real ale bar in the station.

 

Gibber.... Gibber..... Drool.....

Will there be a late night RAT service? We took one back to the campsite behind the mogul this year, it was most excellent.

 

I can imagine there will be, all details will be announced in the coming months.
That one with the mogul was rather good, although I was in work the next day so couldn't really enjoy it too much.

 

Glad to hear that SSS4 will happen and can't wait to get more details.

SSS3 was hampered a bit by the weather, but still well worth going to. Hopefully the early March 2015 weather will be kinder. Then again maybe a bit of hoarfrost and / or light snow would be photogenic?

Whatever, I'll be down for a couple of days at least.

 

Oh dear why choose March?
We really run the risk of Gala overkill on ex GW lines in March 2015 with so far:
SSS IV - 6,7,8/13/14/15 March
SVR SSG - 20th - 22nd March
WSR SSG - 26th - 29th March

Can the market really stand all this in one month without each event suffering below budget numbers?

The SVR & WSR slots are well established, why dilute things in this way?

 

There's no overlap, might save a bit on transport fees if some of the loco's go from A to B to C..

 

The market is finite as is the cash of those visiting these events. This tries to spread it too thinly.

 

Is there any difference having it 2 weeks after the WSR gala as with previous years then??

I can see why it's being done earlier, and done so that it doesn't clash with other events. No fitting around Easter, quieter time of year so chance of getting locos that aren't required on railtours / running season at home railways. And as ADB says above about sharing transport fees, it makes expensive moves more viable.

 

There are usually 6 locos drafted in for an SSS gala so here are my suggestia:- 5029/43, 6023, 73129, 63395, 30065 and 5820.

 

And before I get the inevitable, "and how do you hope to pay for that, then? These events have to make a profit, you know... such and such is doing a railtour that day so good luck... snigger, snigger", this is solely a wish-list.

 

Would a King be able to go over the line? I think they were double red route availability and I wonder if the bridges on the Dee valley could bear that? (That said I'd love to see a King in the Valley).

I agree about 73129, the Caprotti Crescendo resounding through the Dee Valley.... mmmmmmmm I'm a big fan of 63395 too (well it is a freight engine).

With an eye on the Gala paying its way and raising funds for the Grange - is there much of a difference in the hiring fee between (say) a King and a 0-6-2 tank engine?

 

It was a blue route in Western and BR days, but track and bridges have been fettled to take different things. Don't forget we've had castles, Jubs, A1, A3, West Countries and what not over the years. Just special speed restrictions over Dee Bridge.

Apart from the obvious double haulage fee for tender locos, the steaming fees will be different. A tank loco on average will be between 300 and 400 quid. Mainline certified tender loco you could be looking at anywhere between 700 and 1500 quid. Every loco is different based on their owners hire contracts.

 

Will Naylor wanted to get a King for SSS1 and 2 but obviously he's got nothing to do with it now.

 

Personally, I'll be happy if we can have ALL the possible home fleet working:- 80072, 3802, 7822, 5199, Jennifer, Darfield 1, Jessie and 45337. There was also talk that the Jinty and TVR 28 might... just might be ready by then.

 

Don't think TVR 28 will be ready by then......