Foxfield Railway Autumn Steam Gala 23rd & 24th October

Some great stuff out there, as ever we dont get to see the show.

Turns out that Dubs does not do gala sat's or rain !. We did run round Caverswall in the afternoon however - the Tanfield lads got some good stuff I would think. Sun was great - still lots to do but we are getting there.

We did make a modest return so we can do it all again next year - a visitor ?, well we will see. This year would not have covered the cost.

Great effort from the Foxfield team, thank you all for your support.

 

I can only echo some of the comments made above. A superb day at the Gala on Sunday. It was my first-ever visit and it won't be my last. Brilliant weather, fantastic spectacle and great to meet some old and new friends. Thanks to all the Foxfield staff for all their obvious hard work and making it happen. Shame it didn't make enough to justify a visiting loco. I just hope there were no freeloaders in that field on the bank or in the colliery yard. In my opinion ticket checking could have been more rigorous. I for one wouldn't have minded showing my ticket, even if I didn't travel.

Anyway, my pictures are here, I hope you enjoy. Thanks again to the Foxfield staff for putting in all that hard graft.

http://teamhotosbyeilarvey.fotopic.net/c1910434.html

Regards
Copy Pit

 

A fantastic set of photos - its great that this event has brought in new visitors. This was a experiment and set out to establish a new event, you will love the summer gala - planning in hand for 2011 !. We always bring in a first class visitor each year.

We hope to build up the October event to the same status in time - if it checks out we can bring in something new - how about vintage coach's for a change.......

 

Nice shots mate. Good to have met you for a chat. Last time was the Embsay gala with the D49 and that was a sunny day too. Freeloaders were there I'm sure as a number of people accessed the field via the gate on the road and not via the colliery yard. One well known blagger was wandering around getting in people's shots. Would have been a miracle if he paid. OK, they may have paid at t'other end and then driven down but none of these people had a timetable booklet.

 

Comments regarding field gate noted - we are on good terms with the farmer, I may have a plan for next time.... Most folk understand that unless these events pay ( and this did ok in Foxfiled terms ) they will stop. We have a list as long of your arm of projects - we need the cash.

Nice to say hello Ian - Shelton was more years ago than you think. My next target - well it can only be one thing, Hawarden & Dubs double headed - two years away perhaps, time will tell.

What price a future Autumn gala with the two Knotty coach's + replica brake running passengers on the bank headed by Bellerophon - the Bayer or No6. The knotty trust needs the world to help create something very special.

 

Good to chat too Dave. The Shelton events were great fun. My one regret is not having sound gear at the time. My old portable deck had died and I'd made the move to minidisc. Got some good sounds on Sunday though, the shunting sequences were particularly enjoyable with buffers clanging and the sound of Dubsy jibbing round.
Furness no.20 and the Knotty coaches would look very tasty but nice though no.20 is, I can't see it fitting in with the industrial part of a gala. Bellerophon would look good though.
I cannot say with certainty that those who accessed the field via the gate hadn't paid but none that I saw had your printed timetable and were either touting on internet print out or asking others for info regarding what was happening next. Whilst your prices/fares were displayed clearly by the buffet, it was all too easy for people to just wander in and not pay. I know a lot did but I think you need to make it a lot more difficult to get in for nothing.

 

Maybe a car park/bus charge at the colliery may be one solution?

Lewis

 

I was on the colliery gate Saturday up to mid afternoon and I hope we managed to check most people entering the colliery. It is difficult to challenge everybody on site particularly if they have a camera tripod in one hand and an umbrella in the other and their main aim is to keep dry. A suggestion would be to have a coloured sticker presented with the ticket that could be stuck on the coat.

Was not down the colliery until late on Sunday so not sure what the arrangements were.

Really enjoyed the weekend and the friendly chat that with everyone and looking forward to next year.

 

Sadly that wouldn't stop those gaining access to the farmer's field by unofficial routes. Once in the field you can then walk back to the colliery area without coming in via the main gate.

 

We had envisaged that we would have coloured stickers for the event like our summer gala, but unfortunately a slot at one printers could be not be found and the others let us down...
But this will not happen again, I can assure you. The other factor over the weekend was staffing, we were slightly under staffed for the extras that go with the gala.

We do need more volunteers as our crews and staff are not getting any younger, if anybody would like to come and join us you would be more than welcome at the friendly Foxfield railway....

Rich

 

The 2011 summer gala is now off the stop and planning is in hand. I will get stickers printed for both events to save money - peer preasure from our our friends ( and we have many ) may encourage any free loaders to contribute. I dont thnk we charge the earth for the show that we put on.

Thanks for you help on the gate at Dilhorne Roy & Bill & Ian at Caverswall road. Unsung hero's - Ian P cant have seen a single thing all weekend !.

 

Think you are right about the stickers being the answer Rich. Delicate balance between pestering legitimate visitors and catching the gate crashers. Possibly a penance of coaling up an engine if caught may help. Bit of shelter for the poor old ticket examiner may help too so that the field gate, level crosing and colliery gate can be covered from one location.

Rich is right about the friendly welcome when volunteering if anyone wants to come forward.

I try to do a small exhibition down the colliery each gala on a different topic each event. Have done so far the History of The colliery, The colliery Railway and the Early years at Foxfield. Any suggestions for 2011 provided I can find the material?

 

How about ''Foxfield engines in Industry'' for next years display? Enjoyed this wend pics sheltering from the rain!

 

I attended on Saturday so didn't enjoy full sun but still managed a few 'atmospheric' shots. After the charter and the first two runs up the bank I decided to take advantage of the full line freights and reccy some new locations on the 'mainline'. There is plenty of potential on this section and now have a list of shots 'to do'. Just need a train of minerals and some clag in the right places!

Love the headlamp on the Bagnall. I know many CEGB engines had similar but is this original? It looks like one of those fitted by Bagnall.

As for an autumn guest why not a Sentinel? Something different and they were used in North Staffs coalfield as per Foxfield's own S9535. Oh and some full line coal trains...please!

Thanks all for a great do, especially the crews that got up early on Saturday and dealt with the problems with Whiston.

Best regards,

David

 

popped down on the sunday had a good time, was only going to stay for a couple hours, but ended up there all day. meet friends who had never been before they really enjoyed it. next time iam going to ride in the passenger train !!

paul

 

The headlamp on Bagnall is a bit of story! It is not original but can anyone guess where it is from? no prizes mind...

Rich

 

Poland??

 

Give that man a cigar! Yes, it was purchased by one of the brothers and trekked halfway across the country to end up fitted to a Bagnall! A fitting end to lamp that could have otherwise been scrapped!

Rich

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d9006/5107351541/in/pool-railway/

Some good stuff here.

 

If that headlight on the Bagnall had been switched on it would have pierced that gloom first thing on Saturday morning. In my limited experience of the line's locos the Bagnall does also seem to be the claggiest loco on the line.

Paul