SVR Autumn Steam Gala on 23 -25 September 2011

Ah! I've just found a statement on the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust's website.

 

Following agreement between the Bodmin & Wenford Railway and the owners of the loco (the National Railway Museum), T9 No 30120 will remain based at Bodmin for the first two years following its return to steam - i.e. until Autumn 2012. This seems only fair in return for the BWR's considerable investment in funding the overhaul of the loco. Thereafter, perhaps the T9 may well appear on the SVR for a future gala event.....

 

Well, the asnswer is a like for like replacement.
6024 is now comfirmed as replacing 6023 on the SVR website.

 

I was hoping for 5322. Have to disagree with the poster who said that it would be a poor choice - I would have liked to have seen it, I think the authentic ROD livery is a wonderful piece of history and it is of course one of only two genuine GWR moguls in existence, the other of course being out of action on the SVR.

The GWS has promised to honour its promised visits to both the SVR and the GCR. I hope that they will honour that fully and it will be in full height guise. I'm not generally one to put enthusiasm over pragmatism but I was really really looking forward to this one.

 

I had a funny feeling it would be 6024 all along. Not disappointed by this at all but I just hoped for something that would have a wider appeal to me (personal opinion). Still, I suppose there will be no worries with the loco diagrams and timetables though. But I hope we get to see 6024 paired with 7812 at some point!

Henners

 

I'm not sure about full height guise, but when I emailed the 6023 group they said KEII would probably be in BR Blue for any future visits (due to its well - known identity as "The Blue King")
Henners

 

Once the Loco goes mainline I would be amazed if the team returned it to 'full height' for such visits. I would guess that the loco would go straight to these destinations from its mainline tours, rarely visiting DRC and the full height cab is not going to follow the loco around on the support coach!

 

If DRC's previous mainline operations are anything to go by mainline operations will be less intensive than many other locomotives, and 6023 will spend most of its time at Didcot. If it were going to a heritage railway for a gala event I suppose under very special circumstances if you asked nicely they might bung the necessaries in. It is a big job though, I appreciate. The cab and safety valve cover are straightforward enough but the chimney and whistles are another matter.

That being said, I reiterate my desire for it to visit the valley in full height guise as originally planned. I'm being a total enthusiast nerd without a hint of pragmatism in saying that, but hey, it's not an attitude I present very often (I think!).

 

Would much rather see the Blue King, so think will give this gala a miss

 

Ordered a WTT, will see then. Couldn't say I'm the least bit bothered about which King goes personally, it's only paint innit!

 

You have a point, put that single-chimney beast over Eardington was a very good selling point for me!
Henners

 

Each to their own, but I don't think it really matter what runs. Its the intensity of the timetable, the amount of different sets used and running for 60hrs continuously etc that, what I think, makes this event the best steam gala.

 

Well Said...i'll be there without a doubt, no matter what engines attend - it's one of the best events around!

Lewis

 

Not photographed a King in steam since 1971, so I'm looking forward to it, regardless of the colour

 

How did you get the WTT? I have managed to get on the page talking about it but can't find any way to order.

 

Have you go on to ticket office and thenon to special event ticket part. It is one of the options there.

 

Cheers.