SVR Diesel Gala 19th-21st May 2016

It may be worth mentioning here that the SVR do try to utilise visitors on the diesel diagrams both in the week leading up to the gala and often the weekend before, so you may be able to get in some extra haulage the weekend before if that would be of interest.

It does seem to be a case of can't please all of the people all of the time, as I do remember the feedback received when the SVR considered whether to move the gala to thurs-sat was that many were unlikely to attend a diesel gala that was infact mixed traction.

 

But the SVR is caught between a rock and a hard place regarding traction. It has gained its success through operating steam traction and - for most families - Sunday is the only day that they have available to be together. Given that policy the commercial choice is whether to sacrifice one steam Sunday for a Sunday diesel operation or give an extra day during the week to retain its Sunday steam operation. As a retiree it makes no difference to me BUT I find the weekdays a more attractive visit with less crowding albeit trains are still well-filled and sales stands - AIUI - still earning income.

The same problem has arisen in September when the Annual Steam Gala has been postponed to a later date to allow the visit of 60103 / 60163 to take place as the latter will earn both much income and publicity for the SVR from the public who would otherwise not visit the railway or generate any income for it. Whilst causing complaints from the enthusiast re the postponement the enthusiast has to understand the reality of the commercial world in which the SVR now operates.

Running trains is an expensive business and therefore the operator(s) have to make as much money as possible to stay in business. In fairness to the SVR it is enthusiast friendly and whilst many decried the move from October to May for this year's diesel event there is the bonus of a longer operating day to consider; at least the SVR is trying to offer additional benefit without losing its "Steam on Sundays" policy. The gross expense of running the SVR - even with its large volunteer force - means that the hard-core enthusiast may be offended when the opportunity arises to make extra income from a public that rarely supports it on a regular basis but the enthusiast needs to look at the situation in another light. Is the enthusiast market big enough to fund all that the SVR needs to pay or is it big enough to accept that additional funding may be available at the cost of upsetting the enthusiasts' expectations ?

As a regular visitor to the line I support the events that I can - given that mine is a 3-hour car journey each way - but I accept that the SVR needs to maintain a regular income to sustain its viability hence my willingness to accept the "restrictions" that allow it to generate additional funding. In that context my diesel visit is confirmed, my Flying Scotsman / Tornado visit uncertain and the revised November Steam Gala currently being negotiated (with 'er indoors !).

 

Yes, the SVR know what they are doing!

 

Just been announced that a Class 37 and a 68 from DRS are going to be visiting for the gala...

James

 

The website says LU's 4TC set will be visiting and being used with the air only braked locos.

I've also heard that another a/b set is being looked into but that is still a maybe atm.

 

The class 45 has had to pull out due to required maintenance work (SVR FB).

 

So the current lineup at the moment is:
Visiting
26007, 5580, 33035, a DRS 37, D213, 46045, 50008, D9002, a GBRf 66 and a DRS 68.
Home
D3201, D4100, D8059, D8188, 50035, 50049 and D1015 (D1062 was mentioned earlier but this requiries work).

 

Outline timetable (allocations tbc):
http://www.svr.co.uk/pdf/Gate Leaflets/Spring Diesel Festival Timetable 230316.pdf

 

What locos are in steam on the Sunday, tempted to stay over Saturday nite

 

We won't find out till the Thursday/Friday as that's when the roster is released for the next week.

 

Whilst not strictly part of the gala, the Sunday will see one of the visitors on CS1 (9.45 ex KR) and the 4TC on an additional local: KR-HY-KR, KR-BY-KR, KR-BY-KR and KR-HY-KR.

 

SVR official fb confirms that the visiting 66 will be 66763.

 

The 4TC arived thursday and is stabled in the siding by the carrage shed

 

Any ideas when the full roster will be available ? Looking forward to this event !!

 

Announced on FB that 20142 and 20205 will be visiting after all.

 

Soon hopefully, today's announcement will (have) probably delay its release.

 

73951 and 73952 announced as visiting (I suspect to act as translators).
Timetable with allocations describe as coming soon.

 

Timetable with allocations:
http://svr.co.uk/pdf/Gate Leaflets/Spring Diesel Festival Timetable with Loco Allocations 050516.pdf

A souvenir brochure will be available on the day.

 

More than a bit surprised that D213 doesn't get a run on Thursday !!!