Severn Valley Spring Gala 23-25 March 2012

I was there on Friday, but the timetabling was very similar, so I can understand that. From a purely selfish point of view, I'd prefer every train to stop at every station, as I think was the case in the autumn. I don't particularly enjoy sitting just short of a station for several minutes, then rolling through at walking pace -- apart from anything else, you lose that lovely little lurch in your stomach that always accompanies the very first realisation of departure from a crowded station platform. (Or maybe that's just me!) So it didn't add much to my enjoyment of the day... but of course that's not to say that it didn't add something to other people's, or perhaps make certain pieces of timetabling practical that wouldn't otherwise be.

On another note, as a sort of postscript to the gala, I happened (purely by chance) to see Bittern going over Bewdley viaduct with the photo charter earlier on this afternoon. I'd imagine those who bought places on this train will be absolutely delighted at their decision, since despite the low angle I was watching frrom, it made an absolutely sensational sight in the glorious sunshine. I've seen a lot of trains go over that viaduct, but this was one of the finest. Garter blue actually goes remarkably well with the warm orange of sun-baked sandstone... let's hope we see that combination here again someday.

Edited to add: Having posted this the first time before Tom Clarke made his post, I see that the reason for the non-stopping trains has now been given, so thank you for that. And thank you too for all your hard work in making this such a hugely enjoyable event -- I hope you'll now get some well-earned rest! (That goes for everyone, of course.)

 

Fantastic videos and photos have been posted - watching them has been almost as good as going myself, something I very much regret not being able to do. Duncan, the colours in your photos are superb, I especially liked the photo of 4566 in the darkness and Bittern at Northwood Lane. Thanks to everyone who has posted photos and videos on here - I have enjoyed all of them - it is much appreciated. Still, looking forward to the Autumn gala - every gala on the SVR seems to get better and better - I'm sure there were comments that the Autumn gala last year was the best they'd ever been to - now it seems this is the 'best ever'!

 

Out of interest, which turns did 828 work in the end? Sadly I wasn't able to make it to the gala - very disappointed to have missed 828 twice! :-(

 

It was on the 5 LMS coaches...I think labelled TBC 1 on the timetable


828 by Teenage Steam Photography, on Flickr

Lewis

 

Yep, Lewis is right, the Caley worked the TBC_1 diagram, which was it's originally intended diagram. She looked brilliant too, and sounded fantastic up eardington at lunchtime on sunday. What a way to start a cleaning turn that was!

Glad to see to many, generally, positive tales from the weekend. From Tom writing the timetable to the guards, footplate crew and station staff and even down to us humble cleaners, it was a great effort from everyone at the SVR. Lets hope we can continue to impress you all for the rest of the year (and especially at the autumn gala!)

 

My video from the event is now also available:

[Youtube]ufb8Gj588Jg[/Youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufb8Gj588Jg

Thanks,
Lewis

 

[youtube]HmXLyuJbhW4[/youtube]
[youtube]mnzAio_lN2w[/youtube]

My videos from Friday and Sunday

 

I wasn't at the gala, but from the reports i've read on here and the photo's and video's it looked like i should have been!! 4464 on the teak set looks fantastic, i may well have to travel up from Sussex for the September gala now...a very well done to the Severn Valley railway for putting on quite a show.

 

I was there on Saturday and Sunday, used the trains both days, but spent more time photo taking and walking. Apart from the delays on Sunday it was a great event, and I'd like to say a big thank you to all who contributed to make it so. A rake of eight teak coaches was very impressive especially with a garter blue A4 on the front. The star of the show, for me if nobody else, was Caley 828, t looked simply stunning in the sunshine

 

Sorry, but another one here who did not think too much of the timetable. I could only attend for a comparatively brief time (6 hours) on the Sunday but would have liked the chance to ride behind more of the locos than I did manage, which I think could have been possible if more trains stopped at all stations. Perhaps it is a “bashing” thing but I much preferred the timetables of past galas with trains going throughout the line every 45 minutes or so which made it a lot easier to hop on and off at will and to sample as many locos or visit as many stations as one pleases.

I might be wrong, but it also appeared that the timetable did not have much “slack” in it; I realise that the problems with the fog first thing didn’t help but the first train I travelled on started 20 minutes late and my last one arrived at Kidderminster nearly 40 late so the timings did drift a bit. Whilst I can understand the need to “do something different”, galas are best kept as simple as possible IMO.

Having said that I did enjoy the visit and managed to get a ride behind the two locos I particularly came for (828 and 69023) and even got a couple of reasonable pictures which was a bonus as I didn’t come for photography purposes.

 

That is really frustrating Martin. I walked the line to Severn lodge on Friday afternoon and had the place to myself and three circling red kites (I think?)


Langtree Photography-6851 by Langtree Photography


Langtree Photography-6826 by Langtree Photography

but I don't understand the need to open any gates for access there? They must have been seriously lazy not to clamber over a gate
Glad all went well today, I am deeply jealous!

 

Macko

That bird is a Buzzard and a wonderful shot it is too.

 

I understand a Bittern was also spotted down the Valley?!

 

Ah thanks for that bird recognition is not my thing, there appeared to be at least two nests in the area and 3 were circling constantly for nearly an hour, it was a glorious afternoon. I thought I saw a Mallard, easily confused with a Bittern

 

On which note (sort of) there's some talk on the SVR Forum about whether Bittern might stay at the railway long enough to operate over Easter. Absolutely no official word, I must stress -- and obviously these things always depend on the wishes of the owners, steaming fees and much else besides -- but I'm sure there'd be plenty of interest if it did happen. (Amazingly, it seems that the MHR ran Bittern with a face as "Spencer" during a Thomas event a few years ago, but I really can't see the SVR following suit for its own Thomas event this coming weekend!)

 

Words fail me with regard to these people, a bit of goodwill and a quid or two is a small price to pay in my opinion, I nearly ended up having a punch up in field just west of Glyn (Llangollen) a few years ago because earlier in the day some 'photter' had upset the farmer/fisherman/whatever and on his return through the field I had the misfortune to get a mouthfull off the imbecile as being unfortunate enough to be the first photter he saw, didn't seem to matter to the said knuckledragger i wasn't there earlier in the day.

 

What a great Gala, it was so worth calling in on Friday afternoon for 7 hours on the way back from West Somerset.
Fantastic Buzzard pic above too.
Link to a few pics - Severn Valley Spring Gala 23.03.2012 - a set on Flickr

 

Bad form to reply to one's own post, I know... but sadly it seems (again from the SVR Forum) that this isn't going to happen, and that 4464 won't be in service again before leaving the SVR. Oh well, it was always a long shot

 

A spectacular gala weekend, if I may be so bold! Hats off to all SVR volunteers and staff who made it happen; especially for coping when things went haywire on Sunday :S

A few pics from yours myself on the Saturday & Sunday:
E-G Media: Severn Valley Railway Spring Gala: A Photographic Report