Blaenavon Steam Gala 2011 - Industrial Steam of South Wales Reunion Gala

And before I forget - full details and timetables are here - http://www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk/pages/IndustrialSteamGala.htm

 

Looking forward to coming down for this gala very much. The NCB driver of Mardy No.1 Brian Jenkins is coming over to the gala on saturday, he has been in touch with Harry Stenton owner of Mardy and I spoke to Brian last night. Brian is an ex BR Canton fireman and he is a very interesting chap to talk too, I hope he is made welcome. There must been some good publicity photos to be had of Brian with the loco, Tanfield got a colour picture of their visiting loco in the Daily Telegraph yesterday!

Mardy has had its valves reset ready for the gala.

 

Hi respite

thanks for the info, I'm sure we'll make him very welcome.

We are well supported by our local press who turn out for our events and always give us good coverage. Even managed to feature one of our photo charters with 813!

Regards
Alistair

 

Gala Update:

Whitehead arrived at Blaenavon yesterday and the Monster is expected this morning, the trio of Pecketts will then be put through there paces before Friday.

the photograph of Birkenhead also featured in the Metro!

Alex

 

Thanks to all concerned for a cracking day out! The Monster truly is one, and should not be missed up the bank! Whitehead and Sir Gomer also performed admirably. The buffet on the DMU was a pleasant surprise (and very reasonably priced). The station building at Furnace Sidings will be lovely when it's finished.

 

Has anyone got any photos of the Firday?

 

*Friday

 

Quite possibly the best gala I've been to so far this year.

 

I would agree that this was a super gala, at times you could see four engines on three trains all moving from Furnace sidings platform. There was action a plenty and locos working on full regulator. Flat railways look on in awe!

Sir Gomer is a super loco, looks great, sounds great and a good performer, Mech Navvies sounds spot on, what a lovely beat to it. The trackwork on the running lines is really good. There is loads still left to do on this railway but compared to what I saw on my last visit in 1995 things have really been happening recently. Well done on putting the gala together.

 

I had never been to this railway before, and was impressed by the gala today. Although the Maerdy Monster was sadly out of action, there was plenty else to keep the photographers busy with steam coming from all directions. The 'new' branch to Big Pit was proving its worth, enabling a visit by train to that major attraction, and every effort was made to ring the changes on which engine worked to which destination from Furnace Sidings.

Memories of everyday industrial steam in South Wales, such as Sir Gomer at Mountain Ash, were brought back. Well done to those who organised and operated the gala.

 

Yes, fantastic day yesterday (Sunday) despite the weather and the failure of the Monster on the first train. The noise from the bagnall which replaced the Monster was awesome! The nature of the line meant you could see and (definitely) hear the locos long after they had left the station and there was always plenty of action. The big pit branch proved very popular, there were even a few simultaneous departures with the branch and mainline. Well done to everyone involved.

 

What happened to the Mardy Peckett?

 

Thank you everyone for coming, we hope you all had a good time, we did. It was out most ambitious gala to date, so I hope we didn't dissapoint. Still lots to do to finish off the buildings but we got everything open on time.

Photo's from the weekend are here - http://aligrieve.smugmug.com/PontypoolandBlaenavonRailway/PBRSRGALA2011

As for the problems with Mardy No1, either of the Alex's should be to provide full details of the issues but I believe the eccentric rod came away and became bent! The boys removed it yesterday and are now looking to get it straightened.

regards
Alistair

 

Thank you all for your kind comments, the gala was a nightmare to organise and operate, especially with the limited flexibility with the branch at this time, we hope to have this in full operation by next season. It was great to see the three visitors running most of the weekend with Sir Gomer surprising us all!!

Unfortunately the Monster did indeed drop an eccentric rod on the first downhill run of the day, with yours truely driving. Thankfully the loco was not disabled and the rescue effort was implemented quickly with the Rolls Royce (Mech Navvies) coming to our rescue. On inspection and removal the rod was found to be bent and the fire dropped. It is hoped that with the help of local Engineering firm GOS, we should have her back in action this Saturday for the Photographic charters.

Thanks again for the kind words, we have come along way in 12 months - look out 2012! With the sun barely set on this years event we are already planning next year!

Regards,

Alex

 

All credit to the team if you can have it back in action in under a week! Sir Gomer certainly was an impressive surprise, suppose it'd be a little cheeky to request it instead of the Rolls Royce on Sunday? ;-)... Well if you don't ask you don't get! :lol:

 

Is the Monster likely to be out again on public trains before it leaves as I missed it on the Sunday?

Here's a couple of clips from Sunday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7bRZmnLI9c

 

Found these on Youtube:

[video=youtube;Txa56E8PWRc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txa56E8PWRc[/video]

[video=youtube;Hxj09I7rWew]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxj09I7rWew&NR=1[/video]

The "Monster" has an interesting squeak - more like a "Maerdy Mouse".

Richard

 

Not been to Blaenavon since April 2008 but followed progress from afar. I must say it looks like you are making good progress and the Railway should be proud of its achievements to date.

 

Hi all

A fantastic gala. Had a lovely day on the footplate of our engine on the Friday. Lovely railway, very friendly and with alot of potential...not to mention a gently rising gradient...until you hit the severely rising gradient! Great stuff.

Glad the PBR was pleased with Sir Gomer. She even surprised me and she's our engine!

[video=youtube;LyVYmSDeiV8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyVYmSDeiV8[/video]

Also a review on my railway blog http://sambrandist.blogspot.com/2011/09/sir-gomers-big-welsh-adventure.html

All in all, a fantastic gala. Hope you enjoyed having our engine, and that it performs just as well this weekend. Looking forward to having it back now, where it WILL be hauling passenger trains

Thank you everyone.

Sam Brandist
Sir Gomer Rep

 

Nice stuff, sir gomer. Saw you filming from the footplate up the bank whilst I was in the first droplight behind you. Glad you had a good time. Enjoyed your blog as well, thanks!