Paignton and Dartmouth Heritage Festival 9-10th May 2009

Right Folks, What would you like to see at this years heritage gala?? All ideas are welcome to try and build on last years event. The Management is reluctuant to spend too much money without really knowing how much teh railway could make, so it's dependant on a good number of visitors coming and good profit to be able to build on it each year and show the company's huge potential in the untapped enthusiast market.

Knowing the Enthusiasts are not keen on coming to the railway, i'd like to see what your (sensible) suggestions would be for the railway for the weekend in question. I have heard that double headers and maybe freight trains are all ready on teh agenda, but obvioulsy you are the guy's who will be "hopefully" coming to the railway, so bring any ideas you have forward and lets try and make this years event another success for the railway, you never know where it could end up going...........

 

Re: Paignton and Dartmouth Heritage Festival 9-10th April 2009

Remove the nameplates from the 2-8-0T's! Saves a lot of time with Photoshop later.

Richard

 

Re: Paignton and Dartmouth Heritage Festival 9-10th April 2009

I think with a bit off perserverance this could be done on 4277 and 5239. The Coaches how ever will probably still have the names, at least for this years event. But lets please nto let this thread turn into another livery/name debate like all the other threads do. The liverys will be the same but i would imagine the name plates may be removed on the two tank engines.

Any other suggestions then keep 'em coming

 

Re: Paignton and Dartmouth Heritage Festival 9-10th April 2009

My personal thoughts, a (VERY \/ ) heavy train for the manor to haul, and maybe evening running too? Been thinking of paying a visit for a trip behind it for a while, so this would certainly encourage me!

 

Re: Paignton and Dartmouth Heritage Festival 9-10th April 2009

Right, firstly night time or evening running is really out of the question due to staff. With the current nnumber of footplate crew having been working there running trains all week all ready, may be pushing it.

But as for a heavy train, something may be arranged, if she's running. Not sure what engines are out yet. Depends what's happening

 

Re: Paignton and Dartmouth Heritage Festival 9-10th April 2009

25185
D2192
D3014

All in Passenger service.

Dave

 

Would it be possible for 3 engines to run with 2 sets in operation. One of the 2-8-0 tanks, the Manor and Rat, swapping at Paignton or Kingswear. The Rat and either 4277 or 5239 double heading could make an intresting sight.

Me and 2 mates are defo coming to this event, as soon as we saw it, we thought why not!

 

Firstly I would like to say I will definately be at this event as I was last year.

Could all three steam engines be in steam I know this may cost quite a lot, but surely not too much while they aren't actually in action. Then with them and the rat you would have four locos or even five if you have one on the brakevan again could swap at each end so its something different.

Also I would like to see 5239 and 4277 double heading if possible and maybe one with the Manor too, again only if possible.

The idea of the manor on a large load also appeals maybe load 11 to haul up the bank. I remember seeing a youtube video of this before and it was an impressive sight.

Also could you have the rover tickets again and possibly offer them at the ticket office or advertise them better as I only found out last year half way through the day after talking to one of the guards, and was quite dissapointed.

As another thought could you add to the activities at Churston and will the shdeds be open again, as these were also quite good.

 

While it's a little too far for me to come for a gala, and as such probably the only time I'd be able to make it is on a holiday, what about banking? Say the manor being banked by one of the tanks! That would also have to advantage of reducing run round times as the train is effectively top n tailed!

 

What makes you think so ?, i'd have thought if the product is tempting enough, they will come

Just an intensive timetable with the occasional freight and maybe the turntable getting a bit of use would be a good start in my opinion.

This bit is more in theory than an actual request, is the cost of hiring in a loco much reduced if it's comign froma railway relatively near rather than the other end of the country ?, say Buckfastleigh's 38XX for example.

 

The Problem for the management is, putting an event like this together and many of the enthusiasts to take pictures but not actually ride behind the trains or contribute to the railway. Then if it does not make any money, it won't be repeated, which is a shame as we all know the potential of the railway in teh enthuiast market, it just needs unlocking and need's to be proved to the board and managment. Lot's of people moan about how the railway isn't enthusiast friendly and the railway is trying it's best in a market which it effectively a stranger too really, in comparison to the tourist market, which it has succesfully conquered, more so than any other railway i think. Yes we could do lots of things, have lots of engines but we need to find the staff to handle the services, ticket offices, etc. This requires bum's on seats, not bum's on bridges taking pic's of nice big engines pulling wagons etc and then going home again if you catch my drift.

 

Have you got a vac fitted freight set ? How about ride a Freight train ?

Or maybe a photographer evening round the sheds if anyone is interested? Wont be able to make it myself due to the distance, but best of luck.

 

Most of the wagons are fitted and i believe a freight train is in teh pipeline. I have put brake van rides on the list i have here, as for the night shoot's i'm not so sure due to staffing issues. Maybe if enough people were interested, a couple of volunteers could be found to man it for a couple of hours. I myself would be interested if enough people said they'd come.

 

Good idea about the 2-8-0 from Buckfastleigh - it needs a work out!

Could a proper freight be put together? Needs to be steam era wagons.

How about tarting the 25 up as well. Nice restoration in BR blue would be perfect but proper green with blinds would be ok. Could always put Dart Rail and plates on it after the event if they must!

 

Maybe the Worcester Loco Society/ South Devon Rly could lend the pannier tank 5786; would look good on a local 'pick up' freight, and selling seats in the brake van(s) would help defray costs. Would it be feasible to provide a run past on such working, which would enable people to travel and also get a decent photo?

John

 

You could also hire 5526 as another suggestion as its been quite a few years since you had a prairie running on the line, another suggestion would be to hire another manor and have those double headed on a heavy train up the bank that would be an impressive sight, I'm sure many people would come to see. Obviously this is all too far fetched at the moment due to cost but maybe thoughts for later?? Next year perhaps if ll goes well.

As for getting the enthusiasts in it strikes me that most enthusiasts have pictures of all the locos on the line so you need something different to make it worthwhile, especially for those havin to come a long way.
I think turntable activities would go down well as the new one at Minehead was packed when they gave demonstrations. Maybe charge to have a go if possible??

As another thought could you not try and hire one of the locos that is on the SDR in April for their gala, maybe a long gap between but just an idea.

Last year the event was quite busy and I heard that it was actually more successful than the Thomas Weekends, so I think you needto do exactly what you did last year but with different locos in steam different activities a different loco on the brakevan rides etc (or maybe have them at Kingswear with the 08) then maybe a double header or two and a goods train would all add to the event from last year.

Ithink the main trick is to keep it different every year so maybe hiring locos etc is too large a step and could be doen next year if it is a suucess again.

The other thing is advertise the event more putting it on here is a good start as I only found out about a week before last year. Also advertise the rover tickets more as then you get good value for money, and maybe do a two day rover ticket, I'd definately buy one.

 

Personally I'm not too fussed about visitors as it will just be good to have a gala at the PDR at this stage, and I think the line has enough quirks and variety to hold a decent event with just residents if it uses all its potential - so all locos on passenger services at some point (including the two shunters and definitely D7535), a freight, some use of the turntable, shed tours and a bit of double-heading and banking. That would do just fine for me, and although I'm working that weekend at least as it's only a few miles from me I might be able to squeeze in a Sunday morning visit if I'm on a late shift.

Having a timetable and loco roster available online in advance would be great, too, especially from my point of view as I can only get time off for a half day at the most.

I hope people take note of the suggestion above that attending and travelling (rather than just photographing) in good numbers will be vital to get the railway management onside for future events. The Paignton galas organised in conjunction with the Devon Diesel Society in the 1990s were excellent weekends and I'd love to see a repeat of something on that scale. I don't care about livery detail, and I think the railway's commercial approach is perfectly sound given its location. My only complaint has been the lack of galas in recent years, and that's purely because I enjoyed them so much 15 years ago. Great to see that's being put right.

 

Not sure I'd be so keen on that idea, as it would defeat the point of having a heavy train...

 

Well thank's for the ideas so far, the turnable is an iffy one as unlike the WSR, there isn't really anywhere safe the public could watch the turntable in action or have a go due it it being so close to the running line. The only place really is either on the road bridge or from Churston Platform. There will incidently be lots of things at Churston, teh W-SHop will be open, i believe a bar on the station too along with traction engines, minature railway's etc. Also talk of Steam boats on teh river Dart.

As for hiring engine in, might be more feasable for next year, if this year's event is a greater success, although a Western diesel was talked about but wasn't finacially viaable for just a weekend. As far as i know, the 25 wil be in use on passenger trains too.

I'll keep you posted with any more info, but please keep your suggestion's coming in.

 

What a great idea, asking for ideas on Nat-Pres....top marks to you! I was at the Heritage Weekend last year, and thoroughly enjoyed it - it was just the right mix of things to keep it interesting. You didn't fall into the trap that many railways do during galas, of trying to do too much - where locos only get one turn each, or goods trains mess up the timetable. The traction engines/open workshops were a pleasant addition, the 25 was loud (as always), and a thoroughly enjoyable solo run with the Manor up the bank in the wet proved that even GWR locos slip! It was worth the ticket price for that uphill run with 'Lydham' alone.

Galas (and indeed heritage weekends) are all about understanding the market. A lot of railways miss this point, time and time again...

Definately, please P&DR, keep it simple. None of this trundling around with goods trains, taking up passenger paths. Banking? Not much point, when the idea is for locos to work hard on the gradients. Stick with a high season (2 train) timetable, with three or four locos in action - the variety of the intensive timetable, plus loco-changes at each end will keep most enthusiasts very happy indeed.

Brilliant! The 'extras' are what makes a gala - they keep everyone happy, and provide something for everyone. Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes. Having had the 03 out for the last Heritage Weekend, would it be ok to have the 08 out this time around, to let the haulage boys have a turn on it? That would more or less guarantee you some rover tickets sold, on both days, if it happened. The 'line-in-the-book' brigade are a big market, often underestimated by railways...

Brakevan rides out of the bay at Churston were a novel idea, that really worked at the last gala. Please do that again! How about putting the 08 on the brakevan at Churston, and (subject to a driver/guard/stock being available), the 03 on a shuttle at Kingswear, as at the Thomas events? I seem to remember that there was a spare brake-coach in the shed at Paignton during the last gala - could this be used, on a one coach shuttle?

That way, you'd be guaranteed more visitors (by putting the 08 out) - and keeping things 'busy' at each terminus, with things moving/things happening. Open workshops at Paignton, traction engines/sideshows/brakevan rides etc at Churston, and shuttle rides at Kingswear.

Of course, if you can't find a brakecoach or a guard, you could always do what the Gwili do with their 03. Driver for a fiver...

(absolute guaranteed way to make an instant mint in cash! Everyone wants to have a go).

Seriously, it was a brilliant weekend last year - don't meddle with it too much. Keep it simple, learn what the market wants, and build up a base of interested people...then you can start adding all the wacky things that more established railways do. Banking (proper banking, I mean! Check out the CVR gala), doubleheading, visitors, top and tail, shuttles, intensive timetables, even incoming railtours....the world's your oyster, with a railway like yours. But for now...

..set your roots right, take it steady, and a mighty oak (thats the staple of an enthusiasts yearly calendar) could grow forth.


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And finally...one to think about. Galas are about doing something different: something that other lines don't have. Marketing bods call it a 'USP' - a unique selling point. Whats the PDSRs selling point?

I'm not the person to answer...but in my opinion, its the gradients and train lengths - or in short, the ability to see a loco working, hard. No other standard gauge railways I can think of can do that. If the infrastructure can allow the running of 11 coach trains during midweeks in Summer (platform lengths etc), then surely this should be flaunted....

Do something different. How about at the end of the day, combining the two rakes of stock together, to form one strengthened set, on the last trip of the day? If it was marketed right (stick a "Torbay Express" headboard and reporting number on the manor, like you did last year - could always market it as an end of day railtour, almost a beerex), then enthusiasts would travel to ride it.

Its something different, that no other railway can offer...