NYMR Spring Steam Gala 17 – 19 & 24 – 26 April

Rosters revised for this weekend;

http://www.nymr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Spring-Steam-Gala-2015-Fri-24-Web-v3.pdf

http://www.nymr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Spring-Steam-Gala-2015-Sat-25-Web-v3.pdf

http://www.nymr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Spring-Steam-Gala-2015-Sun-26-Web-v3.pdf

Main changes seem to involve 60007 not appearing until 18:20 ex Grosmont on Saturday.

Other changes involve 62005, 44871, 75029, 76079.

 

Well, allocations went a bit to pot today and the timetable slipped in the morning, but then it wouldn't be half as interesting if it all went exactly to plan would it?

I hadn't seen the revised allocations and timetable before arriving so I was expecting to catch to 1000 ex-Pickering behind Gresley. As the revision shows, it was actually the K1, which I've not had the pleasure of experiencing for too long, so I was probably happier with this change. Presumably, the coach set had been split into sets of 4 and 2 overnight at Pickering (in the long siding?), so that made for some interesting shunting with the K1 to be watched, and the buckeyes miraculously locked together on the first attempt. The downside to this was that we ended up leaving 10-15min behind schedule, but the crew managed to make up for some lost time throughout the journey to Grosmont I think. I'd forgotten what a strong engine the K1 is, it made the work look effortless.

After being held at the signal by the MPD, we got into Grosmont station late, where the Battesby train was being held waiting for our train's arrival- nevertheless we legged it for the Battesby train and departed only a few moments later. The bonus with this one was that it wasn't top and tailing with a diesel as per the timetable, it was just 75029 at the front, with Stuart Whitter at the regulator. Despite having visited the line countless number of times over the years and being the occasional cleaner at Grosmont as and when, I'd never done a Battesby run before today, and I wish I had after today's exhilarating experience. Sure, I heard that it was an opportunity to get some faster running with some different scenery, but I wasn't expecting it to feel quite so fast, and the scenery was just stunning - dare I say a better journey than the Grosmont-Pickering section? At times it felt like we were doing about 40mph on the 45mph line speed sections, but I can't say for certain - would any of the drivers posting here be able to confirm what sort of speeds we get up to on this line?

After a blistering run with plenty of bark from the 4mt, we got off at Grosmont again to catch the 1357 booze train back to Pickering. I think this was going to be the K4, but instead we had Eric (can't complain about getting a black 5 tbh). It appears that instead, the K4 had been put out on the Pullman diner, as it passed us with it at Levisham. Back at Pickering, the K1 was sat waiting to take the train back to Grosmont, as per the timetable. I had a look around the stalls, particularly admiring Christopher Vine's 7 1/4" B1 Bongo on the Peter's Railway stand. All in all, a brilliant day out, despite not quite going according to plan!

Kind regards,
Chris

 

Have to say that I got a picture of 75029 coming into the station at Grosmont. It seemed to come round that bend at a fair lick!

I then ran (like a school boy) to the bridge further along the line (over the wooden bridge next to the ford) and caught a few pictures from there. she took off at a fair pace and you could hear her further up the line giving it some!

 

I had a great day on Friday on the trains, footpaths and in the shops, Many thanks to everyone who put the work in to make it happen.

(please click thumbnail)

 

Had a lovely day yesterday on the Moors with some spirited performances from the engines. My thanks to the crew and all those at the NYMR for an enjoyable day I know there were problems in the morning with 'Eric Treacy' that was declared a failure on shed.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/16660457243/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/17263461396/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/17289008662/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/16659057034/

also from the previous weekend

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/17009642518/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/17196677791/

Cheers,Simon

 

I really hope that SNG gets to those mainline tours. She sounds to be in top form based on what has been posted these last 2 weekends.

 

Hi there, a buddy and I attended the second weekend of the Gala. I've been to the Moors once before but not a Gala w/end. What a stunning time we had. Like cjbarnes we went on the Grosmont - Whitby - Battersby - Grosmont behind the Green Knight, what a trip. Having never done a mainline tour I had never travelled at those speeds behind steam traction since I was in short trousers. If we hadn't seen anything else all weekend we would have been happy with just that.
Wasn't too upset by Kinlet Hall not making an appearance being a west country boy and having seen it on the WSR.
Thank you NYMR for an excellent Gala.
Paul.K.

 

Cheers to the NYMR for a good gala. Went the Saturday purely for Battersby, which did not disapoint. Got the unexpected luxury of the K4 out of Pickering after she'd been swapped with 45428, and the 3-cylinder magic coming out of Levisham was perfect as we started to fully wake up from the 5am start. Sadly missed out on bacon butties as they ran out onboard, but oh well.

Onto Whitby with 75029, and a high level of anticipation as we all noticed the 25 was still in the yard as we came through behind the K4. Average run to the seaside and back but after Grosmont Stuart and Ian put on a hell of a show for us, so thank you for what's probably the best run I've had along the Battersby section. Our return to Grosmont though brought the biggest disappointment of the day, in that we tried to buy some lunch. After a 30-minute wait, and us having hardly moved any closer the order point, we gave up and went the pub next to the crossing. Don't know what the exact issue was, but there needs to be a review of this service as it was just too slow and we were not the only ones to get fed up of waiting and go elsewhere. Whilst it's to the local businesses gain, we'd rather put money into the railway seeing that is what we've come for.

Returned back to the trains and having missed the K4 to Goathland ended up with a Black Five to Levisham where we were hoping for some magic from the K1. Sadly wasn't to be as she primed heavily just as we left Levisham, and from then on it was a rather gentle climb all the way to Hallelujah Bridge. Finished with 45407 taking over 76079 last turn before heading home, overall an excellent day and Battersby more than lived up to the anticipation. Top job guys