SVR Autumn Steam Gala on 23 -25 September 2011

Point taken David - I think the best one we did was a couple of years back when late printing meant we sold a downloadable version in advance and the "hard-copy" was available for collection. This meant you could print the timetable bit on ordinary paper and it was, as you say, ideal for the top pocket etc., whilst for those who did want a souvenir, the hard copy didn't suffer the rigours of "action in the field", if you pardon the expression!

Steven

 

Many thanks looks like we be in for a late nite before she gets to bed ;
all the best
jane

 

Sorry southernman was only asking as i need to sort out food ect for surport coach on 6024 to make sure our lads are fed and watered;
all the best
jane;(hope you have a real good gala

 

Both perfectly fair and complimentary points. It boggles my mind that someone who chooses not to ride for that reason (which IMO is totally fair and reasonable) could possibly get bent out of shape over £5 to know when trains are supposed to be running during a gala. If i lived in the UK and had ready access to galas/railways when i wanted, i would probably attend more to just photograph (there's that evil word people have been avoiding), but i'd like to think i'd keep the mindset i have now of wanting to support the hard work of the volunteers who make the show happen as much as i can buy buying a WTT or eating my meal at the line if i wasn't paying to ride. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but i'll spend at least £100 just at the SVR between my 3 day rover, my girlfriends 1 day rover, food, beer, shops, donation boxes, etc in my three days at the gala, but every little bit helps keep the line alive and the restoration work happening as i've learned from being an active volunteer now at my local museum.

I know personally, as much as i want to spend as much time as i can next weekend out in a field during the gala taking pictures, i also want to ride!!! I haven't ridden behind a steam locomotive bigger than our 7.5 incher at the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre since April 2009, and haven't seen a full size steam locomotive in steam since July 2009 at the Train Festival in Owosso Michigan!!! Getting on a train and just hearing that beautiful sound from the head end is something i can't wait for, not to mention adding tics to my list by getting a ride on trains hauled by Nunney Castle, Tornado and 828 which i've never seen/ridden behind!!

 

I know personally i re-work the timetable for each day to fit on a single sheet of paper with ordinance survey map scans on the back which are then laminated and slide into my camera backpack so that even if the "best" the English weather has to offer appears, they stay usable and don't get destroyed by either the rain or my sweaty self!!

-Stephen

 

Reading over on the SVRA forum, although most of you probably know this already, it just hasn't been mentioned here, that there is a speed restriction of 15mph between the Bewdley distant signal and Foley Park Tunnel meaning that locos shut off steam 'just before the usual photter spot in order to comply with this at the present time'.
This means I might have to re-consider where I go to take photos this year!

 

To help with photographers. There is a restriction through Bewdley Tunnel which means everything will be cruising by the gallery spot. The P-way/ lineside clearance gangs have been highly active around the railway. A certain person has been out with the flail between Hampton Loade and Bewdley. I always shy away from the "norm" photos you see in every magazine as they have been covered and covered again. There are plenty of spots that weald the same results.

 

Is there a timetable for this event, I don't mean a full WTT just something that shows the train times? In previous years a timetable has been on the SVR website but I can't seem to find one. Failing this what times are the first few trains on friday?

 

Sorry, message withdrawn

 

A free timetable should be appearing soon. For reference the first train on friday is 8.40.

 

Great, thank you. I'll be on the trains Friday and Saturday so just wanted to know what sort of time to get there. I'm quite happy to wait and see what engines are working.

 

SVR website now reports that 5029 is not attending and a replacement is being found.

 

One would suspect that the Free Timetable Booklet's availability has been delayed by the announcement that 5029 is now not available. Hopefully a replacement locomotive is found and the public brochure can be completed and issued.

Shame about 5029, hope it's nothing too serious for her to be missing the gala, would have enjoyed seeing her.

 

A shame, but perhaps we'll see a loco that hasn't visited so recently instead, which would be quite nice.

 

Now that Bewdley is Pay & Display, how will parking work for all 3 days?

Also can I make a cheeky request that 7812 does 5029 roster, and that you get something small like 78019 or a Pannier in to bring the locos back upto 10 and cover the Manor's? I've only recently realised that this will be the first ever SVR gala I've been to when there will be no Pannier running which is going to be slightly weird!

Going back to the WTT, the only thing I would do it to improve it would be to provide a key for all the codes. As I've been visiting the Valley for years I do now know most of them, but I bet there aren't many away from SVR who do. Maybe one other thing would be to shade in LE and ECS moves, and there have been occasions of people turning up at a station only to see the train they were expecting to get depart empty (I did this in 2008 I think it was lol)

 

Yes, last year I almost ended up attempting to ride on an ECS working behind pannier 5764 incidentally!
Thanks for mentioning about Bewdley car park being pay and display, I hadn't realised that.

 

Large Praire 4160 from the West Somerset Railway is the replacement loc for 5029.

graham

 

View attachment Steel Steam Stars 2.pdf

To show you what I mean attached is the WTT from SSS2 that was issued to the crews. All non passenger carrying moves were highlighted grey.

As for the coach sets, I have been informed of the following;
Set M = 8 Maroon Mk1
M(6) = 6 Maroon
GW5 = 4 GWR + Siphon G (@BH end)
N4(a) = 4 LNER
N4(b) = 3 LNER + 1 BR BSK
Set S = Limited Dining Coaches
L7 = 7 LMS
GW8 = 8 GWR
Set C = 8 Blood/Custard
VV = Venturer
Gds = Goods

Where is this confirmed? Nice loco, though not overly exciting to me with it being another Large Prairie lol. Take it it'll be a like for like swap in the WTT?

Anyone able to provide answers for Bewdley parking and loco directions?