[Apr 18, 2024] Severn Valley Railway 2024 Spring Steam Gala (Severn Valley Railway)

Maybe the real Betton Grange was the friends we made along the way?

 

Well firstly I would say the maximum delay at Autumn was recorded as 2hrs 12 mins (Not acceptable but not four hours).

Secondly yes….This timetblae is roughly based off the 2023 Spring Event. During the main days the heaviest delay was 24 minutes. We have included extra packing time, less tight turn arounds and some added station dwells to account for this which should see lost time made up.

We have also tried to keep double crossed to Bewdley where there is more for public to see and do. We recognised double crossed at Hampton weren’t very helpful.

 

Hope nobody on here volunteers at the Paddock

 

I do myself And even I’ll concede that double crosses at Bewdley are much better!

 

And with that yes we can confirm that today we received that update from the 6880 Group that they have made the decision the loco will not be available to attend. Literally within hours of knowing this a press release has gone out, so it’s certainly not been hidden, or cloak and dagger.

I’m sure nobody needs to be told but we were all dissapointed this morning, but Plan B has been acted on and I believe the railway will release details of that soon.

 

With just over a week to go until its Spring Steam Gala, the Severn Valley Railway has made a last-minute guest announcement, with the news that GWR No 1369 will appear at the event, alongside two other guests and members of the home fleet.

This comes hot on the heels of the announcement that new-build locomotive 6880 ‘Betton Grange’ will not be able to take part in the event on 18-21 April, because its testing and running in cannot now be completed in time.

The SVR’s managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster said: “We’re extremely grateful to the South Devon Railway for agreeing to the appearance of 1369 at our Spring Steam Gala. It will be a great attraction, as the sole survivor of its very small original class of just six engines.

“No 1369 will act as a welcome replacement for our home fleet member, 813. This locomotive has been undergoing extensive repairs, and has now developed a problem with a leaking saddle tank.”

“There have been a number of late changes to this year’s Spring Steam Gala, but we’re determined to put on a top notch show. Our timetabling team has been working hard to adjust the diagram and has achieved this without the need to lose any services.

“Stanier Mogul 13268 will take over 6880’s diagram, which gives it the opportunity for very high mileage across the event. Additionally, 21C127 ‘Taw Valley’ will re-enter service, taking up the space vacated by 13268. And, we’ve drafted in guest loco 1369 to replace 813.

“The Stanier Mogul’s re-entry into service is set to be a major highlight of the event. We’ve kept it under wraps since it has received its superb new livery, and it will debut at the Gala in the LMS lined black livery it originally carried when it first entered service in the 1930s.”

The Spring Steam Gala will have intensive timetable on each of the four days, and will feature goods trains and double-headers. Local services between Bridgnorth and Highley will also stop at the SVR’s smallest, recently-reopened Eardington station, there’ll be a mini beer festival and BBQ at The Engine House, Highley and a Travelling Tavern on selected service from Friday to Sunday.

 

It is disappointing but not exactly a surprise, at least it is confirmed now. Seemingly will not be going to the WSR either.

 

I can promise you that the disappointment is shared by us too!

 

I thought Taw Valley's ticket had expired - or was it just being kept back in case it was needed for the gala? I assume it's still in the rather controversial black livery!

 

Ticket was expiring later this month but had no planned use following from the Winter Gala. It was bought back as spare loco as back up

 

So the official line is - The 10 year boiler ticket has not expired, it had been withdrawn early for intermediate overhaul. However, the annual insurance exam was valid till Mid-May, meaning that technically until then we can use it without inspection. As such it has been re-activated.

 

No mention of Fenchurch!

Don;t know what all this talk about the Grange is about, it's pretty clear what the star loco is considered to be given the SVR's own website



Tom

 

From the official joint statement:

Although the locomotive has now turned its first wheel in steam following overhaul, and testing has commenced at Tyseley Locomotive Works, this has come too late to organise transport and allow sufficient loaded testing at the Severn Valley Railway for it to take part in the Spring Steam Gala on 18-21 April, as had been planned.

“We are pleased that No 6880 will come to us for running in after the event, and subject to successful testing, we’re delighted that it will stay with us to work trains on the Severn Valley Railway during May.”

https://svr.co.uk/news/6880/

 

I sympathise with you here Harry. Its felt like one long skid into a ditch the past month as a lot of people saw that 6880 wasn't going to be ready while you did a Baghdad Bob.

 

It would be nice if 13268 could stay with the 9-coach LMS set all gala. That would give it more of a "star of the show" feel.

 

Unfortunately that doesn’t help operationally. The longer set would cause issues with crossing points and so on on an intense timetable so we can’t do that.

Also on the main days we slip the engines at Bridgnorth so it would never stay with a set

 

It’s somewhat ironic that it is “ready” (To an extent)….But it’s not ready enough. But like it say we were literally told today that it wasn’t available we haven’t been able to act till today

 

In truth 813 is a greater disappointment than 6880 for me. I like 813 a lot and (for understandable reasons) it's rarely been used on public trains on the SVR outside of gala periods. I hope all goes as well as possible with the repairs and that we'll finally get a chance to travel behind it on Valley metals after that. I'm aware and understand that tank replacement is not going to be a quick job.

As far as 6880 goes, I am considerably less knowledgeable than many here, but the straws in the wind were mostly blowing one way recently and the strong impression was that the Grange was unlikely to make it. No criticism intended or implied of the SVR here, since they can't go pre-empting what loco owners say. But while it's disappointing, I cannot honestly claim to be surprised.

Will be nice to see Taw Valley one last time, and of course well done to all involved in getting 1369 signed up with so little time to go. It still looks a good gala and I'll still be buying a ticket.

 

I can sympathise with the organisers, many have been there before, but I feel a small amount of responsibility must go to the loco owners. It was clear to so many people that this would be the outcome, yet it’s taken until now to say so. I am genuinely disappointed that it’s missing!

 

The owners absolutely should have been realistic earlier. I'm sure the SVR staff would have mucked in to help if it arrived a couple of weeks ago though.