SVR Autumn Gala 17-20th September

10 coach trains can run on the SVR but they need to pass trains already stationary in the other loop - in particular at Hampton Loade . 9 is fine though.

All down to the length of the loops.

 

Hampton's loop is 8 Mark 1's + loco, and even though LMS coaches are shorter than Mark 1's, 9 LMS with loco will be pushing it especially with a tender loco.
One set being over 8 is ok, the real problems occur if you want 2 as crossing them at Hampton is out of question so you have make sure timetable avoids this. I think Arley's loop is either 10 or 11 plus loco.

 

The 9 lms overall are only 6ft longer than 8 full length mark 1s. The blood and custard mark 1 set is shorter through having the smaller BG converted to a disabled coach.
As Kje7812 says. 1 over length train is ok. 2 creates more problems.

 

Always the option to do both over the 3/4 days ?, hooking the loco up to carriages with the same nameboards is too much of a temptation not to, even if the MK1 sets more match the livery.

Be interesting to see what's allocated to the overnights this years, I have a suspicion it might be both Bulleids.

 

Hope so, I've decided I'm doing the all nighter this year. So on a related note, which set is the most comfy for snoozing off at 3 in the morning?

 

Usually the blood n custard MK1 set is split into two 4's for the overnights, a night on one side of a compo with the lightbulbs unscrewed tends to works best, but everyone else has the same idea so be quick!.

In a strange way, I like the disorientation of it, one moment being at Hampton Loade going north, after whats seems like 30 seconds with your eyes shut your at Bewdley going south, quite unlike anything else you get at a steam gala IMO.

 

Generally, one of the mark 1 sets is used overnight. Last year the maroon set was strengthen with 2 LMS coaches which personally have the better ride. Really depends if you get a compartemnt or have to sit in an open.

I'd be surprised if the Bulleids were used on the overnights but you never known till the timetable is out.

 

I should mention as well, depending how much you love photting/are completly mad, getting off a train at Bewdley around 3/4am to phot the loco's stabled in the rock siding works well as very little activity at that time to disrupt multiple time exposures, works best getting off a Kidderminster bound train so you can hop on the northbound return after finishing with your pics and not having to freeze while the other set comes south.

 

Last year it was 2 x 5 as set M(8) had 2 LMS added and that was split. I hope that a similar thing occurs this year. (I'm sure 2013 also had 2 x 5 as I'm certain I remember 5164 on a 10 coach down to bridgnorth as part of it's last gala appearance of the ticket)

 

At least they've stopped terminating at Bewdley in the middle of the night. I got well and truly confused a few years ago, chucked off the train as 3am (a couple of beers had been consumed earlier...) and I didn't have a clue where I was!

Hopefully the Bulleids will be out, at least there's a chance of some sleep. Always amazed me the noisiest locos - Manors - are used!

 

Thanks for the tips for both comfort and overnight photoing, it hadn't occurred to me that as well as the atmosphere, there would of course be a lot less people! Sounds like an LMS coach is the one to head for if available then.

I had to laugh at that one!

 

I think its more likely 4566 will be out in the evening as with the line up so far they will be expecting high numbers to attend so want to be able to run 8 coach trains other than shuttles.

 

I've heard there will be more a focus on long full line trains rather than locals, so we might well see the smaller locos on the overnights.

 

You wont get 45 / 1501 on the overnights. The coal and water capacity prevent it. The best guess is 43106 and 2857 on the night trains. 34027/ 34053/70000/46100/ 7812 and possibly 7802 sharing the load on the full line services.
The emphasis is on full line trains with roll over engines. There will be the odd local train from what I gleamed from the draft wtt.

 

I don't understand the full line comment. Usually there are 4 full line sets out when the railway is running a gala timetable crossing at Kidderminster loop (which is good because people cannot jump sets thus creating a higher capacity), Arley and Hampton Loade.

With five coach trains I suspect there will be no north end shuttles (at least to Bridgnorth) as trains will need to cross at BH with little turn around time plus platform space, as well as Hampton Loade, Arley, and I assume instead of KR loop, Bewdley. So will we only see locals between HY-HL and BY-KR? I can't see where else they can be timed as there were 5 sets out at the 2009 Spring Gala and there were only Bewdley locals.

I'd say by using Bewdley instead of Kidderminster loop you effectively loose a set because people can change more, so even though 5 full line sets are out, its just like running 4. And basically less shuttles and more full line doesn't mean more seats if you think about it because there are less services using the same amount of vehicles.

If running 5 full line sets is going to happen, hopefully the southbound train will depart Bewdley before the northbound comes to a halt.

 

You sell the event well, please give us your money but hope to ensure you spend as little time as possible travelling on our trains.
I have always been one that believes that trains are run for passengers ,not that passengers are an operational inconvenience.

 

Indeed and especially as no-one has to travel on the Valley unlike on the mainline, it is important for the railway to remember whose paying the bills...

 

I thought that last years timetable was a smidge over ambitous, and led to a fair bit of late running. So Im all for more full line trains espcially if theres going big engines in use.