SVR Autumn Gala 17-20th September

Agreed but with leave booked, train tickets and accommodation booked it looks like I'm going

 

10 locos in steam incl 3 Pacifics plus the first passenger trains behind 46100 since 1962 in a 4 day gala - come on - it isn't that bad!

 

First passenger trains behind (4)6100 since 2009 you mean. 10 locos in steam but not all at the same time. During the day there will probably be 7.

 

Even locos in use solely for overnight stuff are in steam continuously from Friday afternoon - to be pedantic!
I think the SVR is a victim of context here. This is only a poor timetable in comparison to ASG of recent times. This timetable and line up on any other preserved line would be considered up there with the best...

 

I'm not counting the pink damp squib year - I must be blocking that out

 

When I heard there weren't to be many locals I wasn't too disappointed given the locos, but I was expecting a bit more of an intensive timetable. Oh well, still coming, and still looking forward to it.

 

It would very easily exceed most!

 

Yup 10 loco's in steam, 3 pacifics, a manor, a scot, a 14xx and auto coach, a 45xx, 43106, a 28xx, unique pannier tank, LNER coaching stock, LMS coaching stock, 2 real ale pubs at either end... I could go on but yeah thats not really a gala is it?

 

The comparisons to other railways events is pointless as we are only concerned with the SVR in this thread and everybody knows that the timetable could have been a lot better. The SVR is capable of far more than this and for many (me included) it is the intensity of the service that is the attraction, not the locos hauling the trains, and sadly this years event just doesn't do it for me.

 

Nah it's a bit more than a typical SVR day - but then a typical SVR day can exceed many so called Galas elsewhere so yes the bar is indeed set quite high!

 

True and at least I won't be at work and there's beer.
Btw has the WTT been posted out yet

 

And there is likely to be beer on the trains too

 

Hence the use of the word 'timetable'. The lineup, undoubtedly, is very good, but if it's not utilised to anything like its full potential... I'm fully aware that my opinion is irrelevant, as there will still be thousands of passengers turning up for 6100 alone, but I stand by my point that that is not a gala timetable!

 

Can we please have somthing other than Black 5 bitter this year please? Actually this leads me on to somthing I've been wondering about will the Railwaymans have somthing over than Bewdley Brewery on? Nice as their brews are I do like a bit of variety, bit like my motive power really

 

Aren't railways a bit "damned if they do and damned if they don't" here? Presumably there is a maximum line capacity (in terms of available paths etc.) If you have more locos than that, then some locos will be under-utilised, or else maybe you have double-heading (which is also unpopular in certain quarters). One wonders whether a gala with fewer (but more intensively used) visitors would be not only cheaper to stage, but more or less popular? Or is the presence of numerous visitors a draw in itself, even if they get less than maximum usage?

Just curious...

Tom

 

I do apologise I didnt read the timetable bit until I'd posted my reply I sort of agree with you but come on with the motive power, coaching stock and other additionals on offer is it really that bad? I mean how many other railways could you go to and spend literally all weekend there from Friday to Sunday and not have to pay for a B+B?

 

I seem to recall various people moaning that 30053 only did a couple of full line trips last year, as you say Tom dammend if you do dammend if you dont. I wouldnt mind seeing some of the posters on here who have a go at producing a timetable see what they come up with.

 

I hope you have access to a shower, but if you don't you might get a compartment more easily

 

Forest Glades leisure centre at Kiddy has showers failing that you just use the toilets at Kiddy for a top half scrub! Pits you can do, Bits you best not!