SVR Autumn Steam Gala 16th-19th September

At least 2 guests expected (I gather we should be hearing about one very shortly)
Home fleet expected to be 813, 1501, 7714, 34027, 75069 and either 2857 or 43106 on the overnight service.
Similar format to the Spring...
https://www.svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=184

 

Thanks. I've rung them to check on what we get for our booking on the daytime trains. I understand:
1. The minor stations will be closed.
2. We get 3. return trips, and can skip one at the Kidderminster and Bridgnorth if we wishfor more time there
3. We have about 40 minutes at each end of the line during which we can get on and off and use the facilities at Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.
4. Each booking provides for us to alight at Highley where we can use the Engine House if we wish, and get refreshments there.
Please note, my understanding of what I was told!

 

Other railways have been running galas with reduced restrictions, not sure why the SVR isn't. I'm sure they could just limit the number of tickets sold like the Mid Hants for example.

 

More or less, Trains will stop at Arley and Hampton Loade for crossing purposes (Up and Down respectively). If you want to stretch you legs or take a photo, that's fine.

 

Management are being very cautious about easing things. We'll see how that works out...

 

First guest announced as 46233 as per SVR FB.

Edit: on event page
https://www.svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=184

 

It's a real shame that after two weekends at the Bluebell where things have basically been back to normal that the SVR aren't going down a similar route, but hey ho. Maybe next year.

 

And that is why no one can win at the moment.

From my perspective the reason I didn't do those two weekends at the Bluebell was because it was back to how it was.

I prefer not having to fight for a seat on a train, I like being able to get off at one end of the line and use the facilities without needing to worry about not being able to get back on.

I applaud the SVR for their stance and long may it continue.

Andrew

 

There's no reason why they can't mix and match. Keep the full line timetable, but have a couple of coaches reserved for people who want to do several full line trips.

The timetable seems to work well, with a minimum amount of festering at intermediate stations compared to the usual gala timetables. It's the ticketing that puts me off.

 

No I do not think you can do mix and match. How to you keep those that only one one group of people near them all day (maybe with a higher percentage of mask wearers) away from the "get on anywhere sit anywhere folks"? I do not believe that if seats are empty and the other coaches are full a sort of reserved for Mr X would be observed by many. You have to plump for one system and go with it.
It does just reflect the many interpretations both by companies and individuals across all of life of what is acceptable at the moment.

 

I understand where you're coming from, but I expect the days of this kind of ticketing are numbered.

End of the day, it's a numbers game. If any railway can guarantee to sell x number of tickets to cover their costs plus a little bit extra on top, then as long as they get the right loco in or whatever, the current system works, but think of how much extra they could get if it wasn't limited. You're always going to have those people who will want to be able to get on and off where they want, when they want, without being bound by a set time to do it. I also don't like to fight for a seat, but I would place myself firmly in the camp of being able to do what I like.

As someone who does a lot of videoing, and doesn't drive, it gives me more options on where I can go to get shots. The current system, especially on a line like the SVR, more or less kills that off unless I know someone with a car who doesn't mind me tagging along. And that is what I did at the Spring event, went around by car to locations as the train simply wasn't an option. I did donate the price of a ticket so that I didn't deprive someone who did want one, and the railway still got their money.

Each to their own. You can only please some of the people some of the time, never all of the people all of the time.

 

For anyone with deep pockets (£195)

NEW FOR 2021, enjoy the ultimate Autumn Steam Gala experience with our VIP package! Join the heritage goods train and travel in the brake van over the whole length of the line, twice, hauled by two different locomotives (32 miles). Including one trip in darkness! Ride behind two different locomotives in reserved seats. Guided behind the scenes tours of Kidderminster Carriage Works, Bridgnorth Signalbox and Bridgnorth Locomotive Works. Enjoy a full English breakfast, two course lunch and two course dinner on the Railway, prepared by our Executive Head Chef. Complimentary Autumn Steam Gala souvenir guide and other mementos. Plenty of photo opportunities. Start time: 7.45am. End time: 8.45pm.

https://svr.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/35665?catID=34976

 

A fair point. Though I personally still think the format will come to an end sooner rather than later. But yes, I would also quite like to see a comparison of pre vs post Covid, and given the announced guest, 2018 vs 2021 in particular!

 

Still, it makes a change from posts about having to pay for the WTT! I'd probably have gone to the gala if they had gone back to normal operations regardless of which guests they had, or even without any. But the excursion method just doesn't do it for me.

 

I think there is potentially a place for the excursion journey on normal running days, perhaps alongside traditional day rovers, though quite how this would work I'm not sure. But certainly as a marketing tool, it has its benefits.

 

Whereas for me, this model makes it far more likely that I, and my family, will visit this year. The Spring gala was my favourite SVR event in years, simply because we had a compartment to ourselves all day with no stress about finding a seat and plenty of space to stretch out. I am more than happy to pay extra for the privilege, and I would rather have one experience like that than go to three or four galas where I have to stand half the time and deal with unreliable panicky connections to travel behind all the locomotives that I came for.

Sent from my SM-G770F using Tapatalk

 

On Saturday at the Bluebell I did not have any trouble getting a seat, and even had a whole first class compartment to myself on one trip.

I can understand the Severn Valley keeping the same format as the Spring Gala, since on longer lines and on the Severn Valley in particular, I have usually found Gala's s much busier earlier in the day than on shorter lines. Even if the ticket number were limited you could have a significant proportation of the ticket holders turn up for the first two train from Kidderminster and make it uncomfortably busy for some people.