Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala 14th-17th September 2023

Here's my video coverage from the gala, filmed on Friday 15th. The highlight had to be 2253 'Omaha' storming Eardington Bank, what a spectacle!

 

You have to wonder why it sees so little use. Is it unreliable or expensive to run or what?
Is this the same S160 that was on the West Somerset a few years ago? I seem to remember that one was pretty unreliable.

 

A few images of Mayflower on Saturday.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/albums/72177720311252851

 

Still not seen a video of the s160 storming eardington like an s160 should storm up there?

 

Friday's evening run was decent and that's as good as it got. I had two runs behind it on Saturday and it was a bit muted. I guess the crews had become wary of its mechanical state.

 

Video of the event now up

 

Quite correct Pete, it was in fact 6046 that had worked on the Hungarian Railway during its exsistance. It was among the Guest locomotives to the WSR 2013 Spring Steam Gala held in late March of that year.

 

Can't help thinking you're personally responsible for a lot of the hype surrounding the class!

 

Spent a cracking weekend around Hampton Loade with a venture to Highley on Saturday night. Sadly, couldn't afford to ride this time, but cups of tea and snacks as well as nick-nacks were purchased where possible. A couple of my images from Saturday and Sunday.

 

We had a brilliant weekend, travelled Saturday spending time at Highley and Bewdley in between. Sunday watching first at Northwood Lane then Arley, Hampton Loade and finally Eardington. Video from across the weekend, photos to follow when I have worked through them! Huge thanks to all involved, will be back in January!

 

A little late, but here's my footage from the Friday and Saturday, which has not long gone up. Mostly filmed around Eardington, but does have a few other locations here and there. Hope you enjoy it, if you give it a watch

 

A bit late too, but some of my shots from Thursday trip from Kidderminster to Arley & return. I was particularly keen on the goods train shunts .

 

On Friday I travelled from Bewdley to Eardington, calling at Highley and Arley on the way back. The reopening of Eardington Station and the B1 were my highlights. The Eardington team were most welcoming and the little station is a delight.

 

Photos from across the weekend...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72177720307624471

 

I enjoyed seeing the S160 running on the Saturday - most of the previous times I've tried to see one they've failed!

Here's my video of a few bonus clips of 'Omaha', plus footage from onboard from Bewdley up to the tunnel with a little bit of wheelslip pulling away in the wet

 

For the first time, went for the full weekend...and still not recovered!! Had an excellent time. Finishing each night at Hampton Loade was a magical experience...and the soundtrack of exhaust and whistles through the night and early morning echoing down the valley ...unforgettable.

Must mention the staff at Hampton Loade who were so hospitable, full of character and evidently loved what they were doing. Alongside the buildings and period details they make it one of the best heritage stations in the country (and Eardington was quite lovely too!).

 

Heritage Railway reporting that the gala was 17% up on budget, with secondary spend also up - sounds a positive return financially. More importantly justifies the effort that goes into putting on a big event like this.

 

Reported internally visitor numbers 13% above budget

Appreciating that (a) the counting methods change, and (b) profit's more important, the Wiki has passenger numbers back to 2008 from different sources, and 5,156 is the lowest recorded there. It probably only shows how difficult is the post-2019 trading environment.
https://www.svrwiki.com/Autumn_Steam_Gala

 

I know it is subjective and I was only there Fri / Sat, (Sunday the weather was poorer, but still plenty of visitors judging by YouTube), but the gala felt busier than that figure would suggest. This is based on a highly scientific sliding scale where at some galas it is easy to get a seat, others standing room only!
This one I could nearly always get a seat, but generally it was always sharing a table or a compartment. It was standing room only on the Mayflower and S160 services I travelled on.
As you say, profit is the most important figure and but back in 2008 it was around £15 - £20 for a day rover not £35.
(Yes I know costs have increased dramatically, but simple maths would suggest you will sell less tickets at £35, especially in the current climate).