WSR Diesel Gala - Friday 9th- Sunday 11th June 2017

Are we likely going to see double head 35s with D7017/7018, would be fantastic

 

That is lost on some people here..... YTFC still exists tho

 

well i would say the chances are good for that yes, probably the non stop NF-MD lunchtime run if i were a betting man

 

YTFC means??

 

Ive been thinking about the reference of the SVR above and to be honest its a very good one, i can remember not That long ago i tripped up at Kiddy on Friday morning to find the first THREE departures having 50's on, now if 50's are your thing then theres TOO much choice, and if you dont your stuffed, and not everyone likes 50,s the same as not everyone likes hydraulics, so if youve got a gala stuffed with hydros and you dont like em then you dont go. Then take in the variety that last Septembers gala at the SVR had, which in my mind was a MUST attend gala, and it wasnt just me that thought that as the passenger figures reflected,why pay Gala prices for 7018? if you need to underline it then you just wait for a running day and scoop for cheap.
The railway's home fleet has the MOD rods that are not common on passenger, and IF they can cobble together the 04 then they got that but we dont even know if the use of them is planned, last years gala was poorly attended and that had the Grid and a poorly selected Shed but this year they wont even have them, how many more times are we going to see the same Gala

 

Robin, when I spoke to you at last years gala you said to judge you on this years gala. Still some months to go but the news that Friday and Saturday are to be diesel only this year is certainly a positive. However, some clarity of what the overall plan is to be would be useful. Clearly the DEPG fleet is going to see plenty of use but is it the intention to have any visiting locomotives and if so will these be of BR origin or of the post BR variety? A clear statement on this point now would be appreciated. Similarly, have decisions been taken yet as to provision of earlier trains from Minehead and the final Sunday departure from Minehead? Minor details perhaps, but very relevant to those who may or may not be visiting on the Sunday in particular.

 

As I have previously posted, I have worked hard to understand the Diesel enthusiast market and to pass that learning on to the WSR decision makers.

Let me see what answers may be forthcoming to your questions.

Robin

 

I have just (in the last few minutes) spoken to a member of the WSR Special Event Planning Team.

They meet next on 19 January and hope to set out further details of the Diesel Gala shortly thereafter.

The present plans include at least one visitor (loco, not diesel enthusiast )

Robin

 

Still lost as to the meaning of YTFC, must be too young

 

Look back at your own message #140 - you do know the meaning!

 

Yesterday at Williton.....

Robin

 

Can only dream of the day when WSR has a line up like the Severn Valley Railway for its diesel gala.

 

Dunno why the WSR don't hire a 50 seeing as they used to run in the West. Is there a reason?

Western, Hymek(x2?), 47, 33, 50, 09, 03 and industrials seems a good gala to me.

Doesn't need to be complicated. Give the Western and 50 their own sets doing 100-120 miles a day (so long as D1010 is up to it). 33, 47 and Hymeks can mess about swapping etc on the other rakes, maybe even double up with each other/35+52 combo etc.

03 and 09 top and tail to Norton if no mainline shuttle, if there is do Crowcombe instead.

Industrials (if vac braked?) Dunster shuttles. If not driver for a fiver at MD?

 

That will happen when it is economical for the WSR to provide such a line up. Until then, we should support their efforts so that the event grows enough to justify bringing more locos down.

John

 

Yes there is a reason, not sure of the ins and outs behind it but 50149 and what was Project Defiance were asked to leave the WSR, which is how the 50 Alliance came to be, I think this was just after 49 visited the SVR for the 98 Diesel Gala, it was basically told 'Don't come back'. If you think about it this may explain why I don't think a 50's ventured to Minehead since then.

 

Several examples of Class 50 locos on the WSR since 1998 - including 50149 in 2007.
http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2007/07/50049_1_170707_mso
I don't think there's a general "WSR" dislike of this class at all.

Steve

 

They won't know till they try, look at bluebell

 

Yeah that's all very well and good but just how many more times must we put with poor (lets be fair here) galas in the hope the management see the POSSIBILITIES of making a effort with the gala instead of blowing all the budget on the kettle gala and those who prefer something more modern have to put up with basically the same gala time after time then hear the argument that the kettles are more popular so etc, etc. but if the railway continually put so little effort in then act all surprised when the crowds don't show how are we ever going to see a change, please prove me wrong WSR

 

Well, I'll be going as has been my custom for several years.

 

Well with only a £8000 budget for this years Diesel gala, the special events team have not got much to play with!
We need someone to sponsor the event!