Severn Valley Railway winter steam gala January 2024

Why? What's up with it being operational? I really find enthusiasts odd at times with folks hoping al oco isn't available. When I was a kid we were gratefui for enyhting we got and galas were always with the home fleet, a visiting engine wasa rarirty. Perhaos I'm becoming a dinosaur and need a new hobby

 

To a lot of people it's foreign muck, despite operating for a year in the UK when first built and the fact it's been on these shores for over 30 years.

 

2253 was failed on its steam test this morning. I am led to believe the new plan is being drawn up, but is awaiting the conclusion of the 7714 test.

 

Thanks for update

 

Everybody has their own prefences, but I found it odd that the railway would prefer to run the S160 over one engine it actually owns in 4930, not just for the gala but over the festive season too. I personally can't make the gala but the S160 running put me off going last week with the bad weather!

Hope everybody has a good weekend.

 

I agree with you. Personally I'm disappointed that 2253 won't be running, if not enormously surprised given as already mentioned it's not had the best of reliability records during its stay. Something different is generally welcome, especially for galas. Since 4930 was mentioned above I'll use that as a comparison - all being well 4930 will be running fairly frequently on the SVR for some years to come, whereas 2253 will be leaving the railway imminently. (This is not meant as any criticism of 4930, to be clear!)

 

4930 hasn't been running regularly since the return to the steam though, and is not due to be out this weekend.

 

Largely because they are finding some niggles that still need correcting. It’s been on of those overhauls where after its return there is still niggly bits. They are due to be sorted this winter.

Also largely for consideration is efficiency. We still have to keep a large eye on costs and 75069/7714 are really efficient locos. That’s why they’ve had a lot of use this year.

 

Apologies, I wasn't very clear. I meant that barring disaster, there will certainly be *some* opportunities for me to see and/or travel behind 4930 on the SVR this year - not as often as the more economical locos, but that's only to be expected. However, I have no idea when or even whether 2253 will visit the railway again. I was agreeing with the earlier poster that the idea of someone actively *hoping* 2253 wouldn't be available was odd.

 

I'm with those who are disappointed. I'd had to drop my plan of being there on Sunday due to some work overspill, but the S160 was the big draw for me as it was something different and due to leave after the event. I'm fond of S160s and still haven't had this one even though I live 35 minutes from its usual home. It just doesn't seem to get much work there and the Dartmouth doesn't release loco rosters as far as I'm aware so ironically I was planning a 2.5-hour journey to be sure I definitely would get a loco that's based 35 mins from me! I think it also failed before the autumn steam gala day that I'd hoped to get to before another bit of work overspill.

I'm actually more keen on Halls than S160s, but with 4930 relatively freshly overhauled I felt like there would be many other chances to enjoy it on the SVR when that wasn't the case with 2253.

Will keep an eye on the event via Railcam anyway while at my desk on Sunday and see how my moves would've panned out. Hope it's as big a success as the winter diesel day and that I can be there in January 2025 whatever the loco line-up.

 

Yeah I appreciate its come back from overhaul and there's thing to iron out, but it really has not ran during 2023 and is again not out on the gala weekend.

 

7714 passed Bewdley heading for Kidderminster this afternoon with four coaches while I was waiting to film Taw Valley with the charter. Hope all went well.

 

And that's a UK enthusiast attitude that Im repaidly finding distasteful, i find it really hard to accept that viewpoint, it's steam and one day we might have non. Enjoy it while yuo cna I say

 

2 real reasons for that….

The theme of the gala is firsts and lasts….First gala for 2968, first public trains for Erlestoke since it came back from the WSR, last trains for Taw Valley, last trains for the Pig and should have been last trains for the S160.

4930 didn’t really fit the bill for those categories.

Also as I said above it’s not 100% right and needs some remedial work this winter. You’ll see it more in 2024

 

As disappointing as the news about the S160 is, I'm pretty sure I'll have a good time with whatever the SVR put on this weekend

 

According to the WTT 75069 has replaced the S160 for tomorrow as muted earlier on. The Mogul will now take charge of the 9.10 off Bridgnorth.

 

Disappointing about the S160, but it is what it is, steam locos are complex beasts that the fitters would have tried their best with, and I'll have a good time still.

@2857Harry From the updated WTT, the 11 coach 1810 special on Sunday that 2253 was due to haul is no longer marked as a special - is it now a regular set do you know?

 

Yes the special is now M(8) set only with 7812. Unfortunately the only suitable loco for the 12 set was 2253

 

Thank you, much appreciated.

 

Neither do 7714 or 75069 I'll leave it there, have a good weekend!