Thoughts on a possible industrial event

Hi,

A friend of mine is thinking about events at the railway he’s involved with for next year and has asked me to get some opinions from the wider enthusiast community.

The thinking is to hold an industrial gala/event. It would involve a couple of short rakes of mark 1s, freight trains, possibly mixed trains, shunting demo’s, horse shunting demos etc. The line currently has 2 operational industrial steam locos and a number of industrial diesels. And the thinking is hiring in something else, hopefully something novel and a bit different rather than just something inconspicuous like an austerity (no disrespect to them).

One other thing to note, the line has no real gradients so you won't get a foxfield-esque thrash up a big bank!

Is this the sort of thing that would appeal to people and do they have any suggestions on how to improve it?

 

Wot no austerities...best engines ever built!

Event sounds interesting but I am sure support would depend on photographic opportunities, freight stock, passenger runs etc.

The good industrial events are those that really capture the past as per Tanfield, Chatham, Rutland, Chasewater, Foxfield etc. All these run suitable freights (not BR mixed freights with an industrial on the front (ok Chasewater do that to)) so the engines look right. Supporting sales stands from the IRS, industrial model railways, beer fests, steam rollers, portable 2'' gauge railways all seem to go down well.

Just wondereing which of the three Essex railways it is...Magnapps has the potential to be very good especially if Wissington could make an appearance.

Good luck.

 

Yes, always interested in something different, although i agree it would need good photographic opportunities

Stuart

 

Sounds good to me, and don't forget the lack of gradients needn't necessarily mean a lack of fun - ok maybe not quite Foxfield/Tanfield levels, but if the crews are prepared to have a go... ;-)

Plenty of novel and interesting industrials around if you know where to look, too!

 

Just to say, there probably will be an austerity, but will be a resident rather than one specifically brought in for the event.

And no, it's not an Essex railway. It's not one I'm actively involved in, but a friend was discussing the idea with a few people so I said I'd get suggestions off others to help. I don't think it's anything more than a rough idea at the moment though so probably shouldn't name the railway.

I'll see if a non-BR freight can be done...

Regarding visitors, do people generally prefer something that's a novelty (say a manning wardle, crane tank or fireless loco (Are there any of those opperational?)) or something rare that's normally out of the spotlight?

 

Personally, something loud but also something suitable - if the railway is short and flat, the trains load 2, then you probably wouldn't want Victor or a Lambton tank! If it requires a fair bit of power over a long line then you probably don't want a 10"...

 

I think I can guess which railway... I say go for it. If it's the railway I'm thinking of, I'll definitely attend.

What you have suggested for the event all sounds good to me, something different for a (presumably) ex-BR line. If it's the railway I'm thinking of, it has had close links to local industries so an industrial event wouldn't be out of place.

The only other suggestions I can think of at the moment would be to look at the possibility of providing brakevan rides (or even a brakevan special!) Anything 'unusual', i.e. different to a ride in a mainline railway carriage (open wagon rides? Footplate rides? Driver for a fiver?) is bound to be popular with enthusiasts and the general public alike. I would also suggest pulling out any other resident industrial engines to put on public display together.

I don't see why using selected BR wagons is unacceptable - BR vans and other wagons would have been shunted round factory sites and the like using private industrial locos, surely?

Hope your friend receives lots of positive feedback and support,

Paul

 

I've also got a guess as to which line, based on the info given, and would echo the above. If it is the line I'm thinking of, there could be a few other possibilities, such as one area which wouldn't look miles out of place as an exchange siding, for some shunting opportunities!

 

Nope, it's not that one (Assuming that the one you're thinking of is the one I think you're thinking of!)

 

Agree that BR wagons would enter industrial locations but a mixed freight including ballast wagons etc just doesn't look right. 'Selected' is the important word as a mixed freight behind an NCB engine just doesn't look right. Most industries only had wagons capable of carrying one or two products such as raw materials in or finished product out. There are not many photos of mixed freights behind industrials but there are one or two exceptions such as the MSC system, British Sugar or ROFs (and only the MSC with brake vans). Obviously steel works also had plenty of variety but unless Scunthorpe (I do dream of that!) is being used it will be difficult to replicate!

Plenty of working fireless in Germany but none here at the moment. The ARPS one is under restoration though. Most important thing for me is all the engines match and the event has a clear theme and perhaps a night shoot....

 

Wissington needs 6.5k and it will steam this year, along with the Upwell coach and M&GN brake (thats the plan) A mini appeal was in the latest Joint line (M&GN society quarterly mag)