IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grove

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has announced that LSWR Beattie Well Tank 30857 and LBSCR E4 473 Birch Grove will feature at the railway’s 40th Anniversary Gala, taking place over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend – Saturday 28th May to Monday 30th May.

The gala will feature all of the railway's available locomotives, including O2 class W24 Calbourne and Terrier W8 Freshwater, in steam together with the visiting locos, possibly making the Gala the largest gathering of locomotives in steam on the Island since 1966.

Details have been published on the IWSR website:

http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/new...ocos-confirmed-for-40th-anniversary-gala.html

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

Looks good. A few pints of Burt's VPA will help make this an excellent weekend.

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

There is no doubt that a few pints of VPA would help, unfortunately Burts closed down in the 1980s! There will be a Real Ale bar at the gala with a selection of beers from the current crop of Island breweries; Goddards, Yates and the Isle of Wight brewery - so all is not lost!

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

30587 will really 'look the part' working on the IoWSR and, together with Birch Grove, Calbourne and Freshwater, will make a very impressive Southern quartet in action at the 40th Anniversary Gala. The Beattie well tank appears courtesy of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway and the National Railway Museum.

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

Is the well tank dual brake? I thought all the passenger stock on the island was air only, and unless I'm mistaken it's not possible to translate vac to air, only visa versa?

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

to the best of my knowledge you can not convert vac to air. yes all the rolling stock is all air brake fitted, except for the freight stock which appart from the ballest train is all loose coupled, i would imagine that the well tank will probably be shunting arround and/or doing brakevan rides, however i do not not for sure so dont quote me on it. for further info look at the iowsr website www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

Regards

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

IIRC someone took over the name and brewed an ersatz VPA, has that gone too? On the other hand David Yates is the former Burts head brewer so all is not lost as you say.

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

The ballast train is air braked too, so not much to connect the vacuum pipes to!

Still very nice to see LSWR & LBSCR locos are coming to visit.

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

Double doublehead on a dummy or with 473

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

hmm may be possiable, i have herd roumers that it was done in the past but im not sure, still it will be nice to see some different engines work the line with the different stock

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

I have my train ticket over to the island for the Saturday all booked, as is my travel ticket on the line. I have one question that hopefully someone can answer, National Rail Enquiries surgests last train back from Smallbrook Junction to Ryde is 16:33, if the Gala trains run on beyond this will there be additional main line connecting trains at Smallbrook Junction? Many thanks

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

Getting home should not be a problem. There is good liaison between the steam railway and the electric railway at a local level. As a result Island Line generally stop additional trains on steam railway gala days including later ones when the steam railway is running a later finish timetable.

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

Thanks for the reply mate, that sounds good, I did think that would be the case but I wanted to be sure! I am looking forward to my visit, not been since 2006!

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

30857 will no longer be coming to the Island for the Gala and has been replaced by Quainton Road based sister locomotive 30585. The IWSR web page for the gala has been updated.

http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/spe.../details/57-40th-anniversary-spring-gala.html

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

Just to avoid a bit of confusion (probably not needed) but your posts and the thread title say 30857. Her number is infact 30587 unless a long lost Lord Nelson is going over to the Island...!

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

Thanks for pointing out my mistake, luckily there is no need for anyone to be confused as 30857 (whatever it may be) will not be there!

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

At the Bluebell yesterday, I saw the delightful E4 0-6-2T on the low loader, and I was told heading for IoW, so she will be there.

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

There is also an auction of Railwayana at 2pm on the Sunday

Details here:

http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/special-events/may/auction-of-railwayana.html

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

Birch Grove arrived at Havenstreet yesterday.

 

Re: IWSR 40th Anniversary Gala to feature LSWR Well Tank 30857 & LBSCR E4 Birch Grov

Can anyone tell me when the timetable for the gala will be available, please? I've booked a couple of tickets on-line and wondered if a TT will be included with them? Perhaps the high-season "red" timetable will be used? TIA.

Don't worry, I've found it here.