SVR Spring Gala March 20-22nd 2015

Whilst many of you will be looking foreward to the SVR Spring Gala, I must admit to some disappointment over the guest locos. Originally billed as "visiting locos hopefully to include several SVR favourites" on the website,( I do note the word "hopefully"...) the organisers appear to have been unlucky in relation to engines with a previous connection with the SVR. 46521 is active on the GCR, where SVR's 1501 was a recent visitor. 3205 is active on the SDR, where SVR 4566 was a recent guest, and both 45690 and 70000 are active on the mainline. (70000 now shown as visiting for the Autumn Gala).
I suppose there are a number of factors that determine the availability of locomotives, but perhaps foreward planning for the Autumn Gala in this 50th anniversary year will indeed see the return of some "SVR favourites".

 

46521 is a good call and the Brit seems to have been a big favourite. It would be nice to see more of the 'original' engines back on the railway in its 50th year but I guess 3205 has been done before (?).

 

3205 visited in 2010, Britania's been requested a few times but it hasn't worked out for various reasons. I think it's difficult to organise a gala as regards visiting loco's it's a balance between whats available, cost and desireability. I think this year line up for Spring gala's pretty good a nice mix of old 5786, 1054 & new the dub dee and the 42xx. Be intresting to see whats visiting in September.

 

I guess the railway have a good idea of what the public wants to get the correct numbers of people to the event.
The popular visitor recently seem to have been the one with little connection to the railway.
The Caledonian loco from a few years back maybe they think the majority don't want lots of past locos that in the case of 3205 have been there recently.

 

I don't think the Autumn gala will disappoint with regards to old favourites returning (barring any unfortunate unavailability). It's true that the brit has been tried a few times before, but has never quite happened due to various reasons.
Worth mentioning too. That 2015 should see the return of 34027, 7802, 7714 and 813 to traffic. Arguably all could be termed old valley favourites.

 

The lack of 46521 ( in green) is a big disappointment.

 

I used to be sick to death of it. It's funny how things change.

 

It's not Great Western but it was built at Swindon for the Cambrian/Mid Wales. I remember it well from living in Barmouth in 1965/66 and also saw it at Barry. Very fond of it on the SVR - I was sick to death of 46443

 

If 'Blossom' did make the Autumn gala, it would coincide with the 20th anniversary of the broadcast of the pilot episode of Oh, Doctor Beeching! in August 1995. Have we still got the fibreglass cottages?

 

Im sure it starred at the spring GW gala in '96! It was argued that it was still a Swindon product albeit without a copper capped chimney!

 

I used to get fed up of 6960 "Ratbag" Hall as well but would be nice to see it back!

 

The only loco I ever got "sick of" on the valley was 80079. It seemed to be in service every day when I was a child. It's only now I can appreciate how ideally suited to our operations that it is. Still, I'd rather have 5164 and 4150 in service!

 

Its interesting that locos can become "taken for granted" as outlined in some of these posts. The target of increasing the number of locos in active service in a way addresses this as each will then be used a little less often. The SVR is fortunate in having a large collection of locos making change possible over a period of time but the moral has to be enjoy each one whilst you can!

 

While we're on the topic of Valley favourites, does anybody know whether Hinton Manor might be back sometime, or is it to be forever imprisoned in The McArthur Glen Factory Outlet Centre in Swindon. I suppose while it's there it's earning revenue for the railway, while not incurring any cost, so maybe not return in the near future,

 

The last posting on the SVR forum about Hinton Manor was in November 2014 when a comment was made that the loco has a slot in Bridgnorth Works for 2018-2019. An earlier posting in February 2011 mentioned that new tyres had been purchased, and presumably are in store somewhere.

Having said that, the "latest news" posting for this loco on the SVR Charitable Trust website ( dated 2008...!!) said the loco was to be stored at Swindon for "four years".

Given the relative success of the SVR Charitable Trust in raising funds, I suspect we will see the loco eventually enter Bridgnorth Works for overhaul.

46118

 

It remains the plan for Hinton to enter Bridgnorth works in 2018, on the basis of the published forecast it can be expected to begin when 45110 is completed. although as we all know by now loco overhauls require a fair bit of crystal ball gazing if you're looking for dates.

Certainly we should all be appreciative of what we have whilst we have it, but it's natural to develop favourites. The opposite certainty to that is that familiarity will breed a little contempt, as shown by our comments in this thread. I know I feel a bit foolish now looking back at the reactions I would have had to the sight of 79 sitting simmering in platform 1 at Bridgo. I'd go so far as to say I enjoyed the visit of 72 a couple if winters back!

 

Many thanks for that information, I have fond memories of HM, both on the SVR and mainline, especially with 76059 was it, on 16th June and 22nd September 1991, they powered the Cambrian Ltd specials between Shrewsbury and Barmouth in June, and Aberystwyth in September. Both terrific trips.

 

Beginners guide to Seven Valley Railway needed

Starting at Brignorth where's best to get some breakfast?

Are there any easy spots to get to for a quick picture here and there?

Not that I'm obsessed with food but what's the best option for lunch and tea?

Plus anything else I might need to know

 

Lunch in the engine house. Chips in Kidderminster!

 

Breakfast at Wetherspoons

http://tinyurl.com/kfkwou9