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Pontypool & Blaenavon Annual Steam Gala: 9th - 11th September 2022

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by WesternRegionHampshireman, Jul 31, 2022.

  1. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    Visitors:
    7714 From Severn Valley.
    Second TBA.

    Home Fleet:
    "Jessie".
    "Rosyth No.1".
    "Wimblebury".

    https://www.bhrailway.co.uk/events-and-experiences
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2022
    WesternRegionHampshireman, Jul 31, 2022
    #1
  2. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    WesternRegionHampshireman, Aug 5, 2022
    #2
  3. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    WesternRegionHampshireman, Aug 7, 2022
    #3
  4. City_Steam

    City_Steam New Member

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    Someone recently posted on the Spa Valley thread, that the beauty of short line galas was that something was always happening. With a branch line thrown into the mix, today at P&BR definitely proved the point.

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    City_Steam, Sep 11, 2022
    #4
    Crawley Ben, cg, Steve B and 4 others like this.
  5. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    My mate Ally would have loved those photos, (using the past tense is still rather upsetting) thanks for sharing @City_Steam :)
     
    Matt37401, Sep 11, 2022
    #5
  6. Respite

    Respite Member

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    The HC has had to be withdrawn with a blowing main steam pipe, however as it was mostly doubleheaded I dont think this will make a great deal of difference to the proceedings.
    Yesterday was excellent, well attended and with some great performances from the locos and very helpful friendly staff.
     
    Respite, Sep 11, 2022
    #6
  7. Kingscross

    Kingscross Member

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    08A492D8-A2DD-4252-942B-F479190760A4.jpeg AB25581E-201E-4D0B-8D58-04F45C0D70A1.jpeg 14027808-815A-4D50-823E-616A0820E05B.jpeg 847A97BC-8F63-4D9E-B4F8-9233E3EDA244.jpeg 32C2B5AA-7E52-4845-B8E2-F988A3EB2B24.jpeg CFE097EB-0EAD-4E39-B632-A7B390663DC8.jpeg Shame to miss the HC, but a fun day out today. It was quite quiet in terms of passengers until the afternoon, hope it was busier yesterday. But still, a lovely day with beers, Barclays, and track-bashing! Few mobile pics attached.
     
    Kingscross, Sep 11, 2022
    #7
    Johnme101 and Bluenosejohn like this.
  8. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    Just glad it was 1857 rather than Jessie as she is needed for a much more important event.
    Still, nice to see 7714 proving what panniers are really made of. :D
     
    WesternRegionHampshireman, Sep 11, 2022
    #8
  9. jamesd

    jamesd Member

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    What’s a much more important event?

    In terms of intensive working, noise, entertainment and friendliness, I’d take the Blaenavon gala above the SVR (which I assume is more important?!) any day. I had a superb day on Saturday, as I always do at this railway.
     
    jamesd, Sep 11, 2022
    #9
    mdewell and Robert Heath No.6 like this.
  10. Kingscross

    Kingscross Member

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    Yes, I agree. Always a great day out. I'd like to see the railway break out of Blaenavon though for a slightly longer run, does anyone know how extension plans are shaping up?
     
    Kingscross, Sep 12, 2022
    #10
  11. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    I do apologise, just a bit edgy that's all.
    I will say this, it's a bit of pain getting to P&BR especially if you don't drive. :Shifty:
     
    WesternRegionHampshireman, Sep 12, 2022
    #11
  12. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    A little footage from my youngest of 7714 on the mineral wagons taken on Sunday . Many thanks to all on the railway and the visiting engines for a fabulous day
     
    Sidmouth, Sep 12, 2022
    #12
  13. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    [​IMG]Blaenavon Heritage Railway gala 2022 by Martin Creese, on Flickr

    [​IMG]Blaenavon Heritage Railway gala 2022 by Martin Creese, on Flickr

    [​IMG]Blaenavon Heritage Railway gala 2022 by Martin Creese, on Flickr

    [​IMG]Blaenavon Heritage Railway gala 2022 by Martin Creese, on Flickr

    [​IMG]Blaenavon Heritage Railway gala 2022 by Martin Creese, on Flickr

    Fabulous afternoon on Sunday at Blaenavon's Heritage railway . Five in steam , almost constant movement and the sound of engines hard at work in the Valley . The climb up onto Coity tip was well worth it to watch the exhaust trail as 7714 made its way up the valley
     
    Sidmouth, Sep 12, 2022
    #13
    mdewell, Crawley Ben, Johnme101 and 5 others like this.
  14. City_Steam

    City_Steam New Member

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    As a first time visitor, what struck me was the state of the carriages....absolutely immaculate exteriors, lush spotless interiors, and classy inviting mocquette Surely some of the best looking MK1's running. A credit to the C&W team.

    The volunteer staff on Saturday were surprisingly young (someone is doing something right), and everyone was extremely friendly, lending to the great atmosphere.

    And it's not that hard to get to by public transport. After a 3 hour train journey to Cwmbran, I was straight on a bus, which is every 15 minutes to High Level.

    The post industrial landscape, and the wild moorland scenery give the railway an absolutely unique atmosphere.
     
    City_Steam, Sep 13, 2022
    #14
    mdewell, Mick45305, Johnme101 and 3 others like this.
  15. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    My eldests compilation of his footage
     
    Sidmouth, Sep 13, 2022
    #15
  16. Respite

    Respite Member

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    It was a really good, highly enjoyable gala, action everywhere and lots to see. I agree with the comments about the coaches, I was told one had been done at Williton and that the PBR has two members who can do upholstery. The PBR is a wonderful place to go for loco action and very encouraging to see so many young volunteers who were very helpful.

    7714 made short work of the climbs on Sunday.
    John Evans (driver) and Mike Morris (fireman) who were crewing Caledonia Works on Sunday made a superb trip, finishing with 130 lbs on the clock whereas the day before it was down to 80 lbs. Although it is only a 10" loco it really made a significant contribution to getting the train up the bank.

    I particularly enjoyed the presence of Wimblebury, it took me back to my visits to collieries and the sounds of NCB steam.

    Thanks to everyone at the railway you make superb galas.
     
    Respite, Sep 16, 2022
    #16
    City_Steam and 26D_M like this.

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