BATTLEFIELD LINE - STEAM GALA 2012 - SEPTEMBER 15th/16th!

Hi Everyone

This is the NEW thread for the 2012 STEAM GALA at the BATTLEFIELD LINE - SHACKERSTONE

Firstly, we must apologise for any inconvenience caused by the date change (From March). However, rest assured that we are pulling out all the stops for the new gala date on Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th September.

Headlining the event will be the Mid Hants Railway's LMS Black 5 4-6-0 No45379!

45379 will be the very first Black 5 locomotive to visit the Battlefield Line since preservation began. This is quite fitting as 45379 herself once travelled the line in BR days.

The current roster for the intensive weekend is:
* Black 5 No45379, showing the best of Stanier steam
* Representing Great Western superpower will be 2884 Class 2-8-0 No3803 (courtesy of South Devon Railway)
* Evoking memories of industrial steam will be the resident ex-Mountain Ash Peckett "Sir Gomer" - No1859 of 1932
* Strutting her stuff at Shackerstone will be unique Aveiling & Porter 2-2-0 "The Blue Circle"
More details will become available as the event draws nearer. Keep your eyes peeled!

Thank you very much for reading folks and we will keep you posted on further updates as they happen. We welcome your support as we are pulling out all the stops for this event

 

As well as the above roster you can expect:

* Freight Train in operation
* Trade Stands
* Real Ale Bar on the Train
* All Day Breakfast on the Griddle Car
* Frequent Train Service

The same information can be found on our website at battlefield-line-railway.co.uk

Please join us for an exciting weekend in Leicestershire. In particular, our headlining visitor: Black 5 No45379 from the Mid Hants. 45379 travelled down our line on July 7th 1963

More details soon guys. The gala is now less than two months away!!

 

Is 1306 Mayflower unlikely to be returning to Shackerstone?

 

I'm afraid so. The locomotive, as you may have seen, is now mainline registered and I believe is therefore to live a life as such - hauling mainline tours and occasionally visiting preserved railways

We have however had regular tendered locomotive action in the form of 3803. She has been here for 18 months. We are very fortunate to have the Black 5 to compliment 3803 at the gala, as well as home loco's "Sir Gomer" and "Blue Circle".

 

Footplate Rides
A limited number of Footplate rides are available on each locomotive during the weekend at pre-booked rate of £60 per return journey or £35 per single journey. Alternatively footplate rides on the day cost £70 per return journey or £45 per single journey.

Lets hope the great British summer returns for the STEAM GALA

 

STOP PRESS

Today we can proudly announce that the Steam Gala will feature a 5th locomotive.

Bill Parker's GWR Small Prairie Tank No5521 (of the Flour Mill) will be joining us to complete the line-up (subject to agreement). This engine is well known as a reliable performer and was THE Prairie that operated main line steam services in Poland a few years ago. For more info on No5521 click here

We are very pleased to welcome 5521 (subject to agreement) and she will bring us a roster of:

* GWR 2-8-0 2884 Class No3803 (courtesy of South Devon Railway)
* GWR 2-6-2 4575 Class No5521 (courtesy of Bill Parker)
* LMS 4-6-0 Black 5 No45379 (courtesy of Mid Hants Railway)
* Peckett 0-6-0ST "Sir Gomer" of 1932
* Aveiling & Porter 2-2-0 Unique Single No9449 "Blue Circle"

The attraction list is ever growing:
* 5 engines in steam (s)
* Trade Stands
* Real Ale Bar on Train
* Freight Train
* Frequent Passenger Service
* Shackerstone Station Museum Open

(s) = Subject to Availability

We do hope you can join us for what is promising to be an enjoyable weekend in the Leicestershire countryside with a varied roster of steam locomotives on offer for your pleasure!

 

More attractions on the list:

* Brakevan rides
* Driver for a Tenner with anything free at the time (Sir Gomer through to a Black 5!)
* Gauge 1 Layout at Market Bosworth
* Saturday Night "Pie, Pea and Chip" special pre-bookable in advance...see website for details!

This event is promising to be a fantastic weekend so please join us for steam on the Battlefield Line!

 

Pretty sure a few Black 5's made it over the line since 1951 although pres technically started quite a few years before that!

In fact, 'preservation' isn't specifically railway pres - the British Museum opened in 1753 and the Black Five was a twinkle in the future then...

 

Blast!, Im away in the West Country that weekend, otherwise I would of definetly been there, especially as 45379 would be a "line in the book" for me :Cry:

 

Didn't the ancient Egpytians technically practise preservation?

 

Preservation refers to the preservation of the Battlefield Line. The railway has not operated a Black 5 before. We have had Jubilees, Taw Valley, BR 4MT, Ironclad, Coal Tank, B1, you name it...but not a Black 5. Please do come and see her

 

You may be pleased to know that the Black 5 is 'penned' (tbc) to run alone the following weekend as well so if you want to see her you may get a 2nd chance!

 

That's a good looking gala you've put together there - pity I'll be in Spain at the time

 

More information For you guys...from our Website...

Drive Them! Footplate Courses on the Battlefield Line
There are driving and footplate experiences available on both 3803 and the Black 5.
These are available in several different forms.
If you would like details on the footplate experiences please visit our footplate experience page here.

Saturday Night Evening Train
On Saturday night there will be a Pie, Pea and Chips Special on the 6.15pm special. This will cost £6.00 per person plus the relevant ticket to travel. Day Rover ticket holders travel for free.


Camping and Carvaning
Pre- bookable £10 per night per pitch at Market Bosworth - full details to follow shortly.

Please join us for what promises to be a brilliant weekend on the Battlefield Line. The Black 5 is a first for the preserved Battlefield Line, as is the visit of 5521. The gala also heralds a rare opportunity to see "Sir Gomer" in steam at home.

 

Didn't know Ironclad 957 had visited Shackerstone!

 

Do let us know if it's confirmed later, I might pop over on the Sunday after spending Friday & Saturday at the SVR then.

 

Good news

 

MORE INFO -

* The railway is now taking bookings on the FOOTPLATE PASSES. These are priced at £60 per return journey OR £35 per single journey IF booked in advance. The prices are £70 return and £45 single on the day. Passes are available on the line-going locomotives, but places are limited. BOOK NOW to avoid dissapointment!

* We are also taking bookings on Footplate Experience courses. These are available on 3803 the GWR 2-8-0 and there are also a very limited number on the Black 5. Call 01827 880754 to book. Again, book early to avoid dissapointment.

* Throughout the weekend all three stations will be open. You can join the train at any of them. Market Bosworth Station has been open since March 2011 and has ample parking and easy access to the platform.

* We will be running our special demonstration freight train during the weekend - a must for photographers!

For any enquiries about the gala please call us or reply to this thread. We look forward to seeing you in September!

(On a final note, 3803 is running the regular steam service up to the gala weekend)...

 

10 DAYS TO GO GUYS - THATS IT!

Get Ready For The 2012 BATTLEFIELD LINE STEAM GALA

OK, so, one more time...What Have We Got?:

LOCOMOTIVE ROSTER
* 4-6-0 LMS BLACK 5 No45379 (of the Mid Hants)
* 2-6-2 GWR 4575 Class No5521 (of the Flour Mill)
* 2-8-0 GWR 2884 Class No3803 (of the South Devon)
* 0-6-0 Peckett 1859 of 1932 "Sir Gomer"
* 2-2-0 Aveling & Porter Single "Blue Circle"

We thank all of the owners kindly for the use of their fabulous locomotives.

WHAT'S ON
* Varied and Intensive Timetable
* Frequent Passenger Service
* Freight Train (approx. 13 Wagons) Both Days
* Join The Train at Shackerstone, Market Bosworth or Shenton
* Driver for a Tenner at Shackerstone

* A Rare Chance to see "Sir Gomer" Out On The Line!
* Footplate Passes Available (Please Call!)
* Trade Stands at Market Bosworth Goods Shed
* Large Gauge 1 Live Steam Layout at Market Bosworth Goods Shed
* Stanley Steam Car at Market Bosworth (Sat Only)

* All Day Breakfast On The Griddle Car
* Real Ale Bar On The Train
* Out of Ticket Bagnall 0-6-0 "Lamport No3" On Display (Not Seen In Public for Many Years!)
* Brakevan Rides at Shackerstone During The Weekend
* Camping & Caravan Spaces at Market Bosworth

* Shackerstone Railway Museum Open
* Victorian Tea Rooms at Shackerstone Open
* Saturday Night Special - "Pie, Pea and Chips" (Please Call for Enquiries)
* Various Chances To Catch Each Locomotive
* The First Black 5 In The Life of the Preserved Battlefield Line!

Battlefield Line Railway Steam Gala September 2012

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE LINE-UP IS GOOD. THE ACTION STARTS ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 15TH!

DON'T MISS OUR FAB 5 IN ACTION!

 

UPDATE
* Sir Gomer is back from Chinnor
* 45379 arrived from the Mid Hants TODAY
* 5521 arrived from Swindon & Cricklade on Monday
* 3803 is all ready for action
* Blue Circle has been out and about getting ready for Brakevan Rides over the weekend

PLEASE JOIN US - YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!