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Spa Valley Railway Winter Steam Gala: 9th - 11th February 2024

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by WesternRegionHampshireman, Oct 15, 2023.

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  1. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    They have said this event is happening, so it is certainly one to look forward too!

    Line-up:
    Visiting Engine [Subject to availability].
    828.
    2315 "Lady Ingrid".
    34072 "257 Squadron".
    80078.

    Now that's a lot of bang for ya buck! :D
    https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/6507/winter-steam-up
     
    WesternRegionHampshireman, Oct 15, 2023
    #1
    RASDV likes this.
  2. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    UPDATES:
    1. 78019 is visiting from Great Central.
    2. It is now a 3 day event.
    3. It is a "Gala" not an "Up" now.

    I will personally enjoy riding 78019, 80078 and 828.
     
    WesternRegionHampshireman, Nov 28, 2023
    #2
  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Can't think of many heritage locos with consecutive numbers that are operational but 78018 and 78019 are two of them. I can see myself visiting this gala for new steam (78019) and also for the great mix of motive power.
     
    Big Al, Dec 2, 2023
    #3
  4. D7076

    D7076 Well-Known Member

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    5552 and 5553 at Bodmin .
     
    D7076, Dec 2, 2023
    #4
  5. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    41312 and 41313
    Hopefully 35005 and 35006 very soon.
     
    LittleRedTrain, Dec 2, 2023
    #5
  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    and the Manors....
     
    Big Al, Dec 2, 2023
    #6
  7. Mick45305

    Mick45305 Member

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    6989 and 6990.
     
    Mick45305, Dec 2, 2023
    #7
  8. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Ahem, not on the same pres line but standard tanks 80079 and 80080 did work together on the mainline in the mid ‘90s… we just needed 80078 to go for the hatrick
     
    Matt37401, Dec 3, 2023
    #8
  9. RHDRfanatic

    RHDRfanatic New Member

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    RHDRfanatic, Jan 29, 2024
    #9
  10. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Big Al, Feb 8, 2024
    #10
  11. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    Great day out at Spa Valley yesterday, lots going on and the rain mostly held off... even saw the Sun briefly around lunchtime. All the staff friendly and a great positive atmosphere.

    Turns out there were indeed plenty of people mad enough to go for a brake van ride in February (myself included) and it seemed well loaded every time I passed it. The complimentary tea at Groombridge definitely helped with warming up.
    My Mrs did say I looked like a Victorian chimney sweep when I got home though!

    It's not surprising the timetable slipped a bit with the late start of the two Standards and all the shunting required, however, one nice thing about the Spa Valley is that you never have to rush between platforms for a connection, so even if the timetable slips, you can still travel on everything you plan to.
    Trains weren't hugely busy and there wasn't a need to share tables at any point, but on a Friday with a wet weather forecast, it wasn't surprising. Hopefully the weekend will be busier and it'll be a worthwhile event.

    On a personal note, it was great to finally get a ride behind 828... every time in the past I've gone to an event she was at, she failed beforehand, I'd been starting to think I was cursed!

    Thanks to Jonnie and all the Spa Valley team for putting on such a great event, and I look forward to my next visit.
    They've always made the long train journey from Oxfordshire worth my while!

    DSC_0921resized.jpg DSC_0966resized.jpg IMG_20240209_141542bresized.jpg DSC_0861resized.jpg
     
    LittleRedTrain, Feb 10, 2024
    #11
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  12. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    Yes indeed, whether you agree with me on the theme or not, this was the best Scottish gala I have ever been too! :D
    [I missed the 2022 one. :(]
     
    WesternRegionHampshireman, Feb 10, 2024
    #12
  13. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    A very enjoyable day at the the Spa on Saturday. It was good to meet up with @Jonnie so I could thank him for the time he takes posting on Nat Pres to keep everyone up to date. It's a model that one or two other set-ups could learn from.

    The brake van rides were a treat and I especially liked the run with the 'grown up' version of an Andrew Barclay I used to have shared ownership of - see my avatar.

    Thanks to all for making it happen. What I missed was rush hour at Groombridge. Quite a place to just sit and watch the trains go by.
     
    Big Al, Feb 11, 2024
    #13
  14. alts1985

    alts1985 Well-Known Member

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    Lovely day on Saturday, had two round trips all in with time at Forge Farm, Groombridge, Eridge and Tunbridge Wells in between. Certainly always feels like there isnt much time with nothing going on when we visit the Spa Valley. My video, photos to follow...
     
    alts1985, Feb 11, 2024
    #14
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  15. alts1985

    alts1985 Well-Known Member

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    alts1985, Feb 15, 2024
    #15
  16. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    My take on Sunday's proceedings. Not a lot of sun unfortunately.
    [​IMG]2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BARCLAY 0-4-0ST 2315 + CR 812 0-6-0 828 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

    [​IMG]2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BARCLAY 0-4-0ST 2315 1403 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

    [​IMG]2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BR 2MT 2-6-0 78019 1390 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

    [​IMG]2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BR 2MT 2-6-0 78019 1395 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

    [​IMG]2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY BR 4MT 2-6-4T 80078 1310 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

    [​IMG]2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY CR 812 0-6-0 828 BR 2MT 2-6-0 78019 1458 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

    [​IMG]2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY SR BB 4-6-2 34066 (34072) 1364 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

    [​IMG]2024-02-11 SPA VALLEY SR BB 4-6-2 34066 (34072) 1430 by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr
     
    Spamcan81, Feb 15, 2024
    #16
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  17. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Sidmouth, Feb 17, 2024
    #17
  18. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Spamcan81, Feb 17, 2024
    #18
  19. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    At long last I've had time to edit some of my video footage and get some clips on YouTube:









    Hope they're of interest.

    TTFN,

    Ron.
     
    45669, Feb 26, 2024
    #19
  20. 45669

    45669 Part of the furniture

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    A few more clips from the Spa Valley:







    Hope you like 'em.

    TTFN,

    Ron.
     
    45669, Feb 27, 2024
    #20
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