NYMR Spring 2010 Steam Gala - Giant Gala of Giants

Like Steve, I would agree that we need to improve communications both to passengers and internally, but I would also totally agree that the weekend gone saw miracles worked by Andrew Watkinson and those helping him in Control (it wasn't Mr Palmer this weekend). Saturday saw 1744 go down after 45428 had to be pulled on Friday, meaning that the loco and crew diagrams for Sunday had to be re-written Saturday afternoon - which meant a driver on his day off who had intended to head home by 9:00am still being there when i finished at about 18:30 having redone them with Andrew and then seeing each crew with a written diagram fro the next day.

I have passed on the concerns voiced here to the GM and he agrees that on the ground communications need improving but the constant need for re-working the plan "on the hoof", which makes communicationsboth difficult and a priority to get the message of what is needed to those actually delivering the service, did make this very difficult this weekend. In this area, I think we succeeded, as well as with the quick thinking from Control to keep as close to what we had promised as possible. Where we clearly were not as successful was in keeping the passengers, who I know are vital to the success of the Railway, as well informed as shown by the posts here. I can only apologise and promise it is on the agenda for improvement.

Sometimes when it has been a "go wrong" day, the last thing a volunteer can say is they enjoyed themselves but I have to say that I did enjoy myself this weekend gone, which must say something about the skill and professionalism shown across the railway in tackling the problems. From comments here, some passengers also enjoyed themselves and other thought we could have done better, which shows that we did reasonably well in the circumstances but still have room for improvement.

Steven

 

I thoroughly enjoyed last Sunday at the gala, my third visit so far and appreciate the efforts of Steven and the entire NYMR team.

NYMR website has the following for the final weekend;

14th May; 1744, 45428, 53809, 60007, 76079

15th May; 1744, 30926, 44871, 45428, 60007, 53809, 76079

16th May; 1744, 30926, 44871, 45428, 60007, 53809, 76079

Perhaps Steven can advise us nearer the time if 45428 and 30926 are off repair and taking part.

Best Regards

 

Second HD clips up here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMUDzFbfSRw
plus a few Pictures = http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldsteam/sets/72157624033448974/

 

45428 was in steam on Tuesday, but I don't know if it is fit for traffic yet. 60007 had an insurance exam today (or at least was booked to), and was expected to be test run on Wednesday and Thursday. 1744, 53809 and 44871 out on Tuesday, with D7628 working the lunchtime and afternoon Whitby turns. It was pretty confusing trying to work out what locos were working what, only for things to be swapped around at the last minute! I had heard D7628 would work the first Whitby run from Grosmont, but that turned out to be the Black 5. 1744 sounded nice on 5 coaches, though definitely seemed to be struggling for steam up the bank.

 

Nice film, but why did the NYMR couple these engines chimney to chimney? They did it last Friday too; really irritating.

Regards

 

A third set of clips now upload for those that missed 1744 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoWzKXfhYuA
(best viewed 720p HD)

 

I went to the gala last Saturday and again the failure curse struck. However, congratulations to all involved for rising above it all and still producing a fine array of motive power and entertainment. You have my sympathies for all the woes experienced with this gala.
As a result of the goods not running I spent more time looking around the casualties at Grosmont shed than I would otherwise have done so. My photos from my visit can now be seen on my fotopic site. http://paulgildersleve.fotopic.net/

Cheers,

Paul

 

Things are looking promising for this weekend

60007 out and about http://markt79.fotopic.net/p64807372.html

45428s first train to Pickering http://markt79.fotopic.net/p64807397.html

Eric's Crew http://markt79.fotopic.net/p64807404.html

35 pics added today, Bottom of this page - http://markt79.fotopic.net/c1843639_1.html

 

Just posted a few picture from last weekend.


More @ http://kenneth-f-baker.fotopic.net/c1848825.html

Video footage coming soon

 

Any word on how 63395 is coming along ? I see she is not available this weekend . Sorely missed !

James

 

I understand that 60007 had a broken spring yesterday afternoon but a spring is inn stock and at worst it will miss the first booked train today (or rather should have done about 10 minutes ago), but 30926 is readily and was expected to deputise.

45428 made its 1st solo trip to Pickering yesterday - 32 years to the day since Bishop Treacy died waiting to photograph a railtour on the S & C.

Hence, as things stand at the moment, the 3 extra "stars" look set to make it.

Steven

 

Sadly the gremlins struck again today with 60007 failed at Goathland on the 1st train of the day. The driver, Roger Barker?, said it sounded like "a ruptured duck".
Fortunately 76079 was marshalling the freight at Goathland, and as the stricken A4 limped back to Grosmont, the standard took the train forward to Pickering - after some delay in getting the brakes off.
Don't know the problem with Sir Nigel -- hope it's not serious given the other recent issues.
Needless to say the tt went somewhat adrift.
Perhaps Beancounter can provide more info -- have to feel sorry for the NYMR team and their run of recent bad luck.

 

http://www.nymr.co.uk/2010/05/locomotive-updates-for-this-weekend/

Gives this update;

Recently restored Black 5 ‘Eric Treacy’ will be running on our Gala services over the weekend, and will also haul the Pullman Dining Train on Friday and Saturday evening. Gala ticket holders will be able to travel on the Pullman in the standard carriages at the rear of the train.

Unfortunately, Sir Nigel Gresley has a mechanical fault and will be unable to run at the weekend.

Schools class ‘Repton’ has been repaired and will also be available for the Gala weekend.

 

So provided all goes to plan, what's in service tomorrow and Sunday? 1744, 30926, 44871, 45428, 53809 and 76079? With Repton doing the Battersby journeys on Sunday?

 

From the new Education Building, we have so far seen 45428, 30926, 53809 and 44871 - something sel due any minute!

Steven

 

I expect your still waiting Steven?! Unfortunately several lineside fires (including one large blaze in Newtondale) led to the fire brigade insisting on the closure of the line between Goathland and Levisham this afternoon. Shuttles were operated at the north end with 30926 and 1744 plus 76079 on the Whitby branch. 45428, 44871 and 53809(the alleged fire-starter!) were at the south end.

Passengers were bused from Goathland to Pickering at about 4.30ish and i assume the same was done for passengers stranded at the Pickering end wanting to return to Goathland, Grosmont or Whitby.
Another very testing and difficult day on the moors but it seems most folk appreciated that the best was being done in the circumstances which the railway was met with.

One more day to go, fingers crossed for a 'normal' day!

 

Yes, as far as I am aware, no loco failures today (but the diner is still out there somewhere) but also no through services this afternoon.

As I left at about 17:30, news came through that the diner would be allowed to run to Pickering, so it looks fine for tomorrow - there was even talk of some overnight rain. There will be one loco not in use tomorrow, as you may guess!

Well done to all who had to deal with today and many thanks to the passengers for theri understanding. It looked set to be a busy day, and the circumstances have meanty that Pickering Tea Room has had its best day of the event so far!

Steven

 

Assuming you mean tonight's diner and not tomorrow lunchtime's, it did two runs to Goathland and back rather than going through to Pickering. Perhaps I'm being dense but how can they know which locomotive started the fire? 53809 was running double headed with 44871 wasn't it? I was waiting at Moorgates for the 13.30 when I noticed the fires there which were producing a great deal of smog. I assumed that was what had caused the closer of the line past Goathland, surprised to hear there were fires around Levisham too!

So no 53809 tomorrow but all else as planned? Shame but I'm looking forward to it regardless, hoping to get a few decent photos on the Battersby runs particularly.

 

Several fires between Levisham and Pickering, some of which the crew on 45428 stopped to put out on the last through train ex Grosmont(1230)
Would suggest these were caused by 44871(front) or 53809(rear) on the 1300 ex Pickering.

Good to see the NYMR hierarchy hiding in the Education Building,leaving the troops to try to explain to passengers what was(or wasn't )happening.

 

A typical cheap shot at those stupid enough to try to offer their services to help manage heritage railways (I wonder why there are never enough who are willing to do this type of responsible work?)

For your information, the General Manager left the meeting as soon as Control rang through, returning only briefly about 3 and a half hours later when there wasn't much else he could do at that point outside and everyone was aware of what was going on. I told him he knew where I was if there was anything he needed me for, and I know the same would apply to the others. Yes, perhaps the "troops" might have appreciated us coming out to boost numbers, but they could just have easily have thought the Board felt it had to join in as they weren't capable. Not easy when you actually try it, this managing business, is it?

Steven