Manor 50 a New SVR 50th Anniversary event

But the point is to attract visitors (i.e. non-locals) to sample the SVR and generate income during an off-season period.

 

maybe holding it in November is not the best idea then

 

Having been involved in model railway exhibition and had two very bad experiences in January as the result of snow maybe not the time to have an event that relies on people travelling.

 

I am amazed at the negative comments on this thread! 3 manors running at a time when many railways have shut up shop until Christmas sounds like an excellent reason to make the effort to travel to the valley. If it is wet so be it? Open the window, enjoy the steam heat and listen to some fine great western barking up Eardington. I find the fear of bad weather rather odd, who can predict what it is going to be like? Don't forget the Severn Valley was severely washed out not in the winter, but in JUNE back in 2007! The Great Central doesn't consult the Daily Express when it plans it's winter gala for January! (Probably just as well, hurricane & avalanche shelters don't come cheap). Come on folks, lets get behind the EMF and support what could be a cracking event.

 

I think the EMF need applauding November is usually quiet on heritage lines so really looking forward to this and wish EMF every success.

 

Yes - http://svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=86

Patrick

 

It does depend where you live. I've got this down in my diary and would like to come, as it sems a very good event. The bottom line, however, is 300+ miles of driving through wind and rain, much of it in the dark, isn't my idea of pleasure, so if it's a lousy forecast, sorry, but I'll be giving it a miss.

 

wish people would stop whinging about the weather prospects for this super event.would they be just photographers perchance and not passengers.the weather does not seem to stop very near sell outs of santa specials on most heritage lines .I will be there whatever.

 

Same. People are clearly missing the point. It's not about getting as many punters through the gates as possible, but marking an occasion as close to the anniversary date as possible, whilst at the same time enhancing the number of visitors to the line at a time when visitor numbers are not the greatest. Yes the weather will have some effect on this, but it is not the be-all and end-all and there is a group of us of about 4 going no matter what the weather and I'm pretty certain listening to others elsewhere we are not alone.

 

Good to see this event taking place and I am sure it will be well supported. On another note it is also good to see that Matt Fielding and Martin Creese have been appointed photo charter coordinators for the SVR a move in the right direction!

All the best,

Dave

 

Interesting that there doesn't seem to be too many complaints about a number of big gala events held in January and February when it really can be truly bitter...! There have been some most pleasant weekends in November and hopefully we shall be blessed with one of them for this event.

We are pleased to be able to support our friends at Erlestoke Manor Fund by making 7820 available to them at minimal transport cost, a typical return trip for a tender loco from GWSR to the SVR is the unpleasant side of £6000, quite a pill to swallow, we have taken on another brief hire to allow both events to 'transport share'.

Gala organisers everywhere have my sympathy when you read some of the negative comments on here, if you don't like the idea of a particular event that's fine, but it is a great shame that many enthusiasts?? seem to jump all to soon to pour cold water on such things and potentially put off other visitors. Given the sums involved the movement could do without it.

All of us at DMLL, EMF and the SVR will be having a great weekend, there are more things to come, why not join us and have a great weekend too?

Regards,

Mike Solloway

DMLL

 

I have booked on one of the charters with Dinmore, it is a 2 1/4 hr drive each way for me. Pleased to be able to provide a bit of revenue for an excellent railway. Regarding weather, I have had the pleasure of attending a couple of photocharters on the Mid-Hants over the years, have a look at the links for examples of the foul weather in November.....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arleimages/sets/72157647191942724 2014
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arleimages/sets/72157638009228063 2013
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arleimages/sets/72157631934311562 2012
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arleimages/sets/72157631984056673 2012 again

 

My apologies if my comments about the vicissitudes of the English weather in November have been taken to assume I was being negative about the event. I really like the sound of it and very much hope I'll be able to come and support it, even if it is probably a 4-5 hour drive each way from down here in darkest Sussex. To reiterate point I made earlier, holding it in November means that it doesn't clash with anything else, which is a bonus. (the only other special event I can think of in November is Calbourne's visit to the Bluebell) and from other peoples' comments, it looks like it's going to be a winner. I very much hope so.

 

John, if you can go, I'm sure it will be worth it. The SVR has some wonderful GWR architecture and a parliament of Manors running will be a sight for sore eyes. Some nice cold weather to make sure the GWR bark will really carry.

 

I will be there for two days, including one of the photo charter.Accommodation is booked.

 

The SVR is very accessible by mainline rail to Kidderminster. With that station having a frequent service from Birmingham driving to the event need not be necessary.

 

Very well put Mike.

Those being negative need to remember several things:
a. this event is 50 yrs on from the withdrawal of these locos from service. That happened in November 1965 - hence the November event date
b. there are not many free weekends each year to stage additional one off events such as this
c. the weather can always be unpredictable - think 2007 floods affecting (wrecking) the SVR in June; Steam Steel & Stars washed out in mid summer 2012(?); SVR & WSR galas frozen out in march a couple of years ago.
d. photographers tell us that the November light is particularly good for them

Clearly it is up to the individual whether or not to turn up on the day but this is not an event which will be repeated anytime soon.