Spa Valley Railway - London Steam Gala - 24th & 25th April 2010

I'm going to do a London Railway weekend - going to ride on the new East London line on Saturday, and then the SVR on Sunday.

The public opening of the East London Line has been put back until Monday. Maybe the Spa Valley guys can get a press release out to the Evening Standard promoting their gala at the same time?

 

If you let me know the details about the East London Line and if you know, possible contact for the evening standard, I will certainly try.

Fares and timetable will follow soon. They are just being finalised.

Matt

 

Hi Matt

Info about the East London Line can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_London_Line - essentially it's a major step forward in establishing an orbital London railway, or an 'outer circle' line.

There's some political posturing at the moment over the exact opening date, but its expected to be next Monday now. More on that story here: http://londonreconnections.blogspot.com/2010/04/ell-services-to-begin-15th-april.html (a very good blog, this one).

If I was you, I would send a press release to the evening standard (email news@standard.co.uk), tailored to tie your gala into the East London Line story. The ES loves human interest stories about old-fashioned Londoners, so if you can get some good quotes off that London Panniers fireman (Kirk Martin?) who's just written a book, all the better.

Hope that helps

Simon

 

What political posturing do you mean? As I understand it the 'official' opening date will be 23rd May but a limited service will operate before then possibly starting next week but when engineers and operators think they are ready to do it, not before. Ramping up the service before the official launch seems a sensible way to manage an opening of this sort. Unlike the 'Heathrow Terminal 5' approach where they cast an opening date in stone and expected all systems & staff to be able to operate at full capacity on day one - wrong!

 

Hi Miff

Details here:
http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/con...=newshkyg&itemid=WeED15 Apr 2010 17:07:28:183

 

Thanks - I see what you mean:smile:. More details at the BBC news too. Seems to me a row over nothing - if the line is ready they will open it, election campaign or not. And the politicians would argue over who should take credit (it is on time and on budget), election campaign or not.

The London Reconnections blog confirms that the delay to the 'pre-opening' beta service is most likely due to technical reasons.

 

Guys,

Timetable for next weekend is now available and the fares will be going online in the next couple of delays.

The timetable can be found here - http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/SpaWhatsOn_04.htm

Unfortunately we cannot publish a loco roster as all three of the stars are deciding to test our stress levels to the limit!!

Spartan did acheive its brand new boiler ticket yesterday (Friday) but unfortunately her air pump has failed at the moment and we are sourcing a spare to fit to get her mobile at long last!

The lining chap has now completed L.99 and we will be refitting the last items next week. She really does look truely amazing. You will not be disappointed.

More details to follow.

Matt

 

Thanks for all the info Matt, I'll be there on Saturday and trying to get on the evening photo shoot. Looking forward to seeing L99, just seeing the teaser photos she looks the business.

 

Excellent news. I will be driving L.99 on Saturday so be sure to come and say hi.

Other news from the railway, Spartan successfully completed a full round trip on Sunday evening with only a few minor jobs to do this week. This was with the T-Stock coach that will be in traffic next weekend. It was great to see this running up and down once again.

L.99 also completed her first steam test this weekend with minor jobs to do again. All being well we should be on course for Saturday!

The LT flat is also complete now and the guys doing the work really do deserve a lot of credit. It looks fantastic and will do itself justice next to L.99 and the brake van.

Timetables are now available in PDF format.

Matt

 

Any idea what time the evening photo shoot starts and finishes please?

Cheers,

Paul

 

Hi Paul,

We are anticipating the photo shoot will commence around 19:30-20:00ish and run until around 22:00. L.99 is rostered on the first evening train which is due to arrive back at Tunbridge Wells around 19:30. This is to give the crew a run out. From there it will run to the yard and be posed in various locations until late when you will be able to get shots of the loco disposing and sitting on shed. The Jinty will already be on shed and Spartan will join the other two at the end of the evening trains, scheduled to be around 21:00 - 21:30.

On another note guys, we are keeping our buffet open late especially to keep you all supplied with hot drinks and bacon rolls. So it would be great if you give this some patronage during the evening.

Matt

 

Speaking for myself: I wouldnt worry about that in the slightest!

 

Sounds like a perfect evening to me

 

Thanks for the evening photo shoot info, Matt.

Regards,

Paul

 

Just a reminder for those who collect railway books, that there will be three book signing sesions on Saturday 24th at Tunbridge Wells West, during the London Steam gala. These are;-
"Red Panniers" by Kirk Martin and John Scott Morgan
"Spa Valley Railway" Halsgrove album, by David Staines
"The Great Iron Horse Chase: Europe" by Keith Widdowson
There will also be a sealed bid auction for a OO gauge hand painted model of L99, painted and donated by Dave Lowery of Model Rail maagazine, to raise funds for the Spa Valley Rly.

 

Could someone please tell me what are the fares for the event?

 

Had to leave early sadly to get home as the wife wants taking out tonight for a drink, but have to say well done to all concerned for a very good event and L99 looked superb in LT livery.

Cheers

 

Photos now online of the first day of the Gala.

Highlights include, L99's superb job in London transport livery and the loco heading the short goods with appropiate stock and Headboard. Jinty 47493 also featured.

http://njmphotographic.fotopic.net/c1841163.html

 

My photo's from yesterday can be found at http://paul-simpson.fotopic.net/c1841304.html

 

Does anybody know what the coach behind the polish tank is.