SVR Spring Gala March 20-22nd 2015

Yes. At about 11:30 at night. There were about 8 of us crammed into the tiny end of an LMS coach and the driver let her go coming out of Hampton Loade all the way to the tunnel.

 

1501's a bostin little engine, suprised its not visting you for SS&S. Surely 1501'd be a better visitor than 1450?

 

When did 7714 arrive Pete? I know it was ex NCB / Complete wreck

 

If I remember correctly 7714 arrived 1973 or 4 and yes it was rather a wreck at the time.

 

Had to laugh at that one! - a Pannier with a 3/4" blast pipe would go about 10 yards before it stopped by being choked by unreleased exhaust steam. The actual dia of the blast pipe is something like 4 5/8".

 

Complete contrast to 5764 that pretty much ran as soon as it was dropped off the low loader.

 

Confirmed as visiting see https://www.facebook.com/pages/Severn-Valley-Railway-Official-Site/215794101831633

 

It was 6 actually, as one of the SVR teaks didn't make the journey - but it was two return trips, as the NYMR's then 6 strong collection of WR Choc/Cream Mark 1s went the other way so the SVR actually had enough carriages to run the service! (I have always been rather disappointed that I have seen no pictures of a WR Choc/Cream set in use on the SVR).

There had originally been hopes the set might be able to be moved by rail, but not surprisingly given the rules on what happens on the network to a coach with a problem, the owners had totally understandable concerns about that.

What made the whole thing affordable was that a Lottery Grant supported the event - which was to celebrate the centenary of Gresley first being appointed a chief engineer - appropriately enough, of carriage design, I seem to recall (as the person whose idea the whole was is a member of this forum, he will be able to correct me on anything I have wrong).

Steven

 

I hope you don't think I meant three quarter inch, which is what I've just realised it looks like. I meant 3 or 4 inch. 4 and five eighths is still pretty narrow and I knew from a conversation I'd had with someone who knows a lot more than me about the technical side of things that it was narrow. If you look at D1039's post on page 2, you'll see that he quoted my original post where I said 4 inch. I edited it because I knew it was unusually narrow.

 

Thanks Pete - and for the correction - memory not perhaps what it was! The 4 Moorlander Mark 1s (which were the original "mainline" set) plus 1666, the RBR which now plies its trade with Steam Dreams headed south and must have been the BCK, RB and 3 x TTO headed north. From (that failing) memory, we added the SRPS Thompson TTO and the Bluebell Howlden coach to make the full set.

Steven

 

Could you elaborate on that point? What happens to a coach when it has problems if it goes by mainline?

 

Gets dumped in the nearest siding to act as a graffiti magnet until recovered. The recent tour with Western Champion where a Mk2 coach had to be detached and left in the bay platform at Leamington Spa (?) being a perfect example, although I don't recall having read that it has been recovered yet.

Regards,

Dan

 

As Dan has said, being left in the next available cripple siding is not always that healthy!

As I understand from those better in the know, the network is equipped with automatic lineside monitoring equipment such as hot axle box detectors and wheel flat detectors. Set off a couple of those, and the offending vehicle has to be removed from the train at the first opportunity. The risk of a hot box is greater with a plain metal bearing when running above 50mph than with a roller bearing.

Of course, it may be possible to schedule a train as running at less than 50mph but it would be more difficult for pathing etc. Some small wheeled steam locos, and most steam locos tender first, are limited to 45mph but little other traffic is so limited on the network these days.

Although there may be exceptions, the vast majority of Mark 1 stock used on railtours has roller bearings. Even the odd vehicle or two on BR1 bogies still tend to have the roller bearing version.

Steven

 

That said, the Bluebell Mets made a journey by rail up part of the Brighton mainline (limited to 40mph so I recall) and they are certainly not modern roller-bearing things, and that was certainly not a quiet bit of railway! So I wonder if a more relaxed view about what is permissible is now possible? I wouldn't want to under-estimate the amount of testing and paperwork that was necessary to allow the move, but maybe it does open up the possibility of having themed galas in which carriages, rather than the locos, are the stars? Always assuming of course that the donor-railway can afford to release the stock for a period while still maintaining its own service, which is by no means a given.

Tom

 

You forgot to mention that the teaks (as is most other historic/ vintage stock) are Vac'kum braked too that can add to the potential pitfalls when the towing loco decides to throw a strop and sit down! Usually in the most awkward place too!

 

In my experience air brakes have proved more problematic than vacuum...

 

Taken from the SVR website…

"We are pleased to announce that former Great Western Railway locomotive No. 4270 is the third visiting locomotive for our Spring Steam Gala.
The Spring Steam Gala, running from March 20th - 22nd, kicks off our 50th Anniversary year in style, with No. 4270 providing an additional heavy-freight locomotive alongside already confirmed No. 90733 and No. L92.

Like the 'Dub Dee', No. 4270 is also making its debut on the Severn Valley Railway, and is the first member of its class to visit the Kidderminster to Bridgnorth line in 10 years.

Built in 1919, the heavy-freight 2-8-0 tank is owned by Jeremy Hosking and visits us from the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway as part of its Spring tour of Heritage Railways in England and Wales.

Despite being a Tank Engine, No. 4270 has the same number of wheels as 'Dub Dee' No. 90733! Furthermore, during its GWR and latterly BR days, the locomotive would have been at home hauling heavy-freight trains with its tractive effort of 34,150lb, we don't think it will have a problem on the SVR!

One final surprise is in store for the fourth visiting locomotive which will be announced shortly, so keep your eyes peeled..."

 

Talk about doing the rounds! 4270 has been or is booked to go to MHR, WSR, AVR, LR, and now SVR! I've hardly seen 4270 since our May gala!