Blaenavon Mixed Traction Gala 1st and 2nd May 2011

I am pleased to announce the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway will be running our first Mixed Traction Gala on the 1st and 2nd May 2011.

The event will feature our two resident Steam locomotives - Austerity 71515 'Mech Navvies Ltd' and Bagnall Number 19 'HM Dockyard Devonport and two Diesels from our fleet likely to be 37216 and 73128.

The event will feature two train operation from Furnace Sidings platforms 1 and 2 - one train running the full 2 miles while the other will shuttle from Furnace to Whistle Halt with a possibility of running onto part of the newly laid Branch. An intensive timetable will be in operation with the four locomotives taking turn on each train. A chance to see the progress on the Big Pit Brach line. This may be the first opportunity to pass trains on the double track section - Great Central eat your heart out, lol ;-)

As this is our first attempt at a mixed event please support us and make it a success.

'If you have never been you don’t know what you are missing!'

See you there,

Alex
Events Manager
PBR

 

Sounds good! Didn't realise 19 was still there. Any news on your Class 31? What are you planning to do on your ordinary services this year? Mech Navvies on the front, 73 on the back, assuming the 08 has gone?

 

Yes 19 is still with us, she passed her annual boiler exam and steam test yesterday, she will be joining us until at least October. The 31 has been worked on over the last few days, I am yet to receive a progress report, we are however hoping that the loco will be joining the operational fleet this year, it may replace 73128 at the mixed traction weekend if it is available.

With the sudden departure of the 08 to aid the efforts at Toddington we have been left with a few options for the tail locomotive, either 73128 or one of the industrial locomotives, either of our Hudswell Clarke locomotives may be pressed into service, with 6 weeks until our first steam service there is still some discussion about this at management level.

For April the diesel days will consist of 37216 and 73128 at present, 421 is currently undergoing bodywork repairs and 31203 is still out of traffic pending repairs and testing.

 

2 industrials, a 31 and a 37 would be just too good to miss! :lol:.

 

I look forward to seeing you there!

Alex

 

Thanks for your prompt and informative reply. The 31 should make a lot of noise, when it's fixed, as the 37s did at their birthday bash last October. Mech Navvies isn't at all quiet, and 19 barked nicely when banking it last May, so would enjoy seeing that on the front for some of the time, if possible!

 

Hello Tim,

No19 can punch well over its weight, believe me.....

Regards,
Ian

 

19 will certainly make an appearance on the front! The idea is to make the timetable as varied as possible. See you there!
Alex

 

I'll look forward to seeing 19 without a Mk1 on its nose!

 

No 19 has really proved itself to be both a popular and reliable loco on the P&BR, and it is good to see it being used and so well looked after. Well done and thanks to all concerned.

 

It is our pleasure, the loco is popular with crews and the public alike, we are honoured to have this loco in our care for another season.

Alex

 

I hope to attened, should be good. Will public trains be running to big pit?

 

Unfortunatly not - well all the way anyway, we may very well run trains on part of the branch, we have a few issues with alignment that need to be rectified.

Alex

 

I've put the WTT together - just waiting final approval but yes 19 will be on the front during the day as will 71515 at some stage. it's quite a varied mix, and it will keep our shunters busy! 37216 and 73128 are also out.

Services will run down the Big Pit Branch as far as the straight on the left here

http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/Pontyp...ek2-2011/16552496_HNk6j#1246520777_EPean-A-LB

I've timetabled it so that trains standing here will provide a grandstand view as the mainline trains burst out from under the bridge and storm past up the hill. Should make for some good pictures. The branch train will then follow the main train into the station.

regards
Alistair

 

A few changes to the line up for this weekend, due to unforeseen circumstances 37216 will not be appearing at this event, we are hoping to substitute in another locomotive, possibly one of our Hudswell Clarke industrials although this is awaiting confirmation. At this moment it looks as though the line-up will be 71515 Mech Navvies Ltd, 19 Devonport Dockyard and ED 73128.

We hope to operate driver for a fiver from platform 2 onto the Big Pit branch with the spare locomotive as they alternate there will be an opportunity to drive all three.

More information will appear here in the next two weeks.

Alex

 

That will deter a lot of people from travelling, unfortunately.

 

Tim, it is a shame I will agree but there is nothing we can do about it at the moment, we have tried every which way. 216 will however be out weekends in May.

Alex

 

So will it be

71515 + No19 - MK1

73 + Industrial Shunter - EMU

An another loco for driver for a fiver, what locomotive will that be?

 

At present it will be three locomotives, 71515, 19 and 73128. Industrial if it is finished in time and we have the crews available. At the moment the plan is to operate the Mk1's and alternate the locos, top, bottom and double head. The spare will be on driver for a fiver. At least that is the plan.

I hope we can make this event as interesting and varied as possible. This is our first attempt at a mixed event so please support us. If nothing else it is worth visiting to see the progress.

Alex

 

Cool, I will be attending this event for sure! I hope this Industrial is ready, Do you think it will be running?