Battlefield Line Gala March 19th/20th 2011

Not sure if any Battlefield Line regulars contribute here so I will mention their Spring Gala, that will include 5542 which is over-wintering at the Battlefield Line until late March following our very successful visit last summer. Presumably Mayflower will perform and perhaps some others (locals might wish to confirm or deny others when appropriate) but hopefully this will be a good weekend on a friendly line well worth a visit. See www.battlefield-line-railway.co.uk for more details

John

 

5542 now joined by SDR's 3803. A GWR Gala in the Leicestershire countryside possibly a first. Looks good to me , then I would say that.

John

 

Cool, hope to go to this

 

Pity the railway is so inaccessible by public transport. In the past they have run bus shuttles from Nuneaton for diesel gala, but it never seems to happen for steam galas.

 

Is 3803 just visiting for the gala? And thought 5542 was WSR based not SDR?

 

has the pannier tank they borrowed gone back now?

 

The Pannier has returned to the SDR, I believe 3803 is staying for a while, and I think 5542 is best described as 'nomadic' these days. Not returning to G/WR as previously planned this year due to their problems and therefore lack of requirement for an additional loco.

John

 

Plan is to run GWR 2-8-0 No3803 alongside Prairie No5542. The pair will operate an intensive service between Shackerstone and Shenton throughout the weekend. The Peckett "Sir Gomer" is fast approaching test steaming and it is hoped to possibly have it in action as pilot for the gala (tbc).

 

In around 2002 or so I went to a steam gala at the Battlefield to see 'Sir Gomer' which had just been returned to steam. The gala was OK, with the people there generally being very friendly and helpful. To my irritation though, one person insisted on bringing a diesel from the yard and then left it, in the station, with the engine running. His colleagues remonstrated with him but he completely ignored them and seemed to think it was hugely funny. It was some time before the diesel was removed by the lout in question.

Hopefully the same thing won't happen this time.

Regards

 

Did it actually work any services or get in the way of the steam operation at all?

 

It didn't work any services and it was reluctantly removed when the platform was required. It's just the sort of thing that puts people off visiting.

Regards

 

Really? A loco in a platform puts people off visiting? I would've thought to Mr. and Mrs. Family, it would've gone down either as "oh look, a train, albeit not as interesting to us as the steamers, but it's still something to watch whilst we wait for the next service" or simply an irrelevance. Can't imagine any of them would have been put off returning!

 

Mr and Mrs Normal don't tend to visit on gala days....

 

What an odd occurence, Sir. Never heard of that before. Hopefully you will have a chance to see SIR GOMER again this year, not to mention the two GWR beasts...

 

Really?! I can't think of many galas which have attracted almost entirely enthusiasts and survived to be repeated in future years!

 

The battlefield line attracts many families to its gala's, in fact we find that our gala events attract the railway enthusiasts on the saturday and the familys on sundays. Perhaps only 10% of our income is from this source.
This steam gala event is a toe in the water for us as they have not been the best attended events in the past. So please support us as we would like to make this a regular event.

Loco's confirmed are;
5542 courtesy of 5542 LTD
3803 courtesy of the South Devon Railway Trust
sir Gomer to be confirmed

Our usual Gala catering will be available including hot Breakfast from our Griddle car and local real ales from the cask will also be on tap.

Trains start operating from 10 am both days

Hope to see you all there.

 

Just experienced the Battlefield Line's 'Griddle Car' for the first time, and it's without question the most 'interesting' MK 1 vehicle that I have ever ridden in. I understand it is one of only 2 examples in existance and even if nothing else interests you then its worth a visit to ride in that alone. Hauled by a certain Prairie, and eating the 'All day Breakfast' and you have an almost perfect trip.

John

 

Will both GWR loco's face out of Shackerstone?

 

5542 faces Shackerstone.

 

Both GWR loco`s will face North for operational reasons at Shackerstone.
Footplate rides will also be available on certain trains over the weekend.