Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Steam Gala September 12-14 2014

This year our gala will have a distinct industrial flavor, and themed around locos built by Andrew Barclay. This year we will be returning to our 3 day format, dates for your diary's are Friday September 12, Saturday September 13 and Sunday September 14.

Visiting Locos

• Andrew Barclay 2168 'Edmundsons' ex Little Barford Power Station No 4
• Andrew Barclay 1931 ex West Midlands Beet Sugar Co.
• Andrew Barclay 2088 'Sir Thomas Royden' ex Edmundsons Electricity Corporation power station
• Possible fourth guest loco

Newly Restored

• Andrew Barclay 1385 'Rosyth No. 1' ex royal navy Pembroke dock

Supported by

• RSH 7169 '71515 Mech Navvies Ltd' (Saturday & Sunday only)

Event Highlights

• Intensive timetable
• Demonstration goods trains
• Vintage train
• Double heading
• Steam working hard on our steep gradients

More details closer to the event.

Alex.

 

Ticket prices and full working timetable now available at http://www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk/pages/visitorinfo/event.aspx?id=15.

 

GALA UPDATE:

Both 1931 and 2088 are loaded and en rout to Blaenavon, the locos are due to arrve later this afternoon for off loading tomorrow.

2168 is currenly having a repaint at Rushden by Heritage painting into a Navy Blue livery.

We have completed the cosmetic restoration of 'Forestor' and the loco has been shunted to its display location at Big Pit.

This event will be the biggest gathering of working Barclays for many years and well worth a visit with the Barclay Bark resounding in the valley.

Check out our website for working timetable and ticket booking...

Look forward to seeing you there next week!

Alex

 

Some video from Saturday afternoon.

 

We went to Blaenavon today, it was £15 for a rover ticket....and that was the only option. Reasonable value for an enthusiast - I understand the costs involved in moving locos in - BUT if like me you have a young family who don't want to spend the day on trains, £15 p.p is far too much for one trip. We weren't the only ones who had to turn back at the ticket office and just watched the trains for a bit instead without spending our money at the railway.

I suggest that next time, non-rover fares (marked up of course to reflect the special event) are made available, otherwise you're alienating your core market, like you did today.

 

Thanks to Alex and every one involved in this weekends gala all of us from Rushden enjoyed ourselves, keep up the good work.

 

Brilliant video. That Barclay at the end was nice. Great thrash from some great little locos.

 

A set of photos of the gala from Saturday can be viewed at my Zenfolio website here:- http://mickrogers.zenfolio.com/p1064827330

Cheers,

 

"I suggest that next time, non-rover fares (marked up of course to reflect the special event) are made available, otherwise you're alienating your core market, like you did today."

Does this REALLY work elsewhere? And how you 'police' it? Surly for the sake of a few days a year it would be a lot of extra effort for volunteers and potentially cause confusion for visitors with additional fare options!!!???

I often believe there is a misconception that only 'enthusiasts' like to see lots of action at preserved railways and such events are purely aimed at this market...

Just curious BTW

Will

 

A family day rover was available for £30 which covers 2 adults and up to 3 children which was set at this price to help families (equivalent to £30 saving if tickets were bought separately).

With the very nature of our line it can get difficult to only issue return tickets, but i can see some peoples issues and will see if we can work something out for next year.

Alex G.

 

It was a great event, excellent thrash as always and great value. Always one of the most entertaining events of the year.

 

Fair enough, good to hear feedback is considered. We were two adults and an infant so there was no great saving. But we had a good day in Blaenavon's various heritage sites so not a wasted journey, just a shame we couldn't afford the railway. With properly briefed TTIs single return or rover tickets should be easy to manage on a gala day?

 

Alistair Grieve's excellent smugmug site has been updated with pics of the gala, they look great as always.
http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/Pontyp...4gala/44344629_WkPs9T#!i=3537474856&k=HjhtmdK

One 'scene' I particularly liked was the little cosmetically restored loco parked up at Big Pit. The way the 'lawn' is up to rail height just looks so good!
http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/Pontyp...4gala/44344629_WkPs9T#!i=3537475449&k=CL2HMpH

 

For all those who did not join us this year, this is what you missed! A great video of the Saturday of the gala is here by Robert Masterman


Some photos from Alistair Grieve of the photo charter are now also up.
http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/Pontyp...arter/44385978_Jc3rvr#!i=3542488763&k=bxfTpbM

Looking ahead to next years gala any suggestions on what you would like to see visit?

Alex G.

 

Well.... Portbury might be available for hire...

 

Twizel from Tanfield.

 

A No. 5 from North Tyneside.

 

We are most probably looking more towards ex BR engines next year after this years distinct industrial theme. Suggestions?

 

Ivatt 2MT 46447 from the ESR might be a goer? Not too far for transport either.

 

42xx?