Severn Valley Railway Spring gala 14-16 April (plus Pendennis Castle trips 13 April)

I spent the day at the SVR today Thursday 13th April behind 4079 Pendennis Castle doing non stop runs between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth and return
https://tinyurl.com/yxr8ey56

Neil

 

The outline of timetable was know several weeks and was published. The main issue here was it took a long time for the third guest to be agreed and there was a question on its size which in turn would affect its diagramming.



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Did you enjoy it?

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i did yes, the 2 trips i did were about 85% full, so no standing and easy to get to the bar

 

A few diesel galas I’ve attended in the past have provided TT’s nice and early in the past, I’ve had everything nice and sorted out early doors… then guess what?
I think the Mid Norfolk were on about version 37 of their ‘50 years of 37’s’ by the Sunday of that event!

 

Martin - we are grateful for what you have done and as one who looks to buy the appropriate books from the galas that I attend I retain them as souvenirs having printed the timetable from SVR downloads. In these straitened times I try to support as many lines by visiting galas and spending as time allows. Sadly the domestic element means collecting "brownie points" so one has to be careful when allotting time to the various demands placed on such a limited facility.

 

Really? I don't remember that timetable changing at all. I still have the only version I ever had at home somewhere.

 

Two from yesterday's non stop runs, the Great Western ambience at Hampton Loade and 10 maroon Mk1s on the afternoon train.

 

Ooof. I don't suppose that the 10-coach train will be out at the gala. Will it?

 

No, split into a 7 and a 3.

 

4079 in very fine form this morning, crew clearly enjoying the opportunity for the loco to stretch its legs.
Trains very well filled, despite the distinctly un-spring like weather!

 

Very April like weather. Hopefully the next two days are better as is forecasted.

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The timetable has just imploded.

I feel incredibly sorry for the train load of passengers who have just been dumped off at Highley when two through trains arrived at the same time. Someone has made a monumental error reading a timetable

Andrew

 

We weren’t there long. What caused it, anyone know? Rumoured Taw Valley or Pendennis had failed but both have passed me recently.

 

Nothing has failed. I was on one of the trains involved.

Essentially, 43106 should have been held for the local and Taw Valley at Arley. It was only held for the local. It and Taw Valley arrived at Highley at the same time. 43106 had to detrain its passengers and enter the loop to let Taw Valley past, passengers are not allowed in the loop (or on a propelling move).

Probably would have been better if it hadn't coincided with a massive downpour as there isn't enough shelter for a full trainload of passengers at Highley. Not the finest moment for the SVR's signallers unfortunately ..

Despite this, timetable only about 20 down and excellent day otherwise.

 

I hadn't realised exactly what led to the delays although it was clear that Highley was the centre of the difficulties.

The timetable was very different to previous galas that I have attended with lengthy dwell times scheduled at stations- particularly Bewdley. What this meant in practice was that time keeping between Kidderminster and Bewdley was fairly good, but northbound services ended up sitting at Bewdley for about 40 minutes waiting for a path northwards. Round trips were taking upwards of 3.5 hours.

The railway certainly didn't seem like one in crisis as is often portrayed here. There were a lot of people around and it felt very much like a normal SVR gala.

One point though - there were a lot more children around than normal at a gala due to it still being Easter holidays. What this led to - and witnessed by my family - was incredible rudeness from 'enthusiasts' towards children who were just acting as children. If said enthusiasts want to enjoy galas in the future they may wish to consider encouraging children and families to visit rather than regarding them as a nuisance.

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Very enjoyable visit yesterday, a tad wet at times, but rewarded with a rainbow and Manor in fine voice at the end of the day.

 

Really sorry to hear this, I unfortunately also heard a couple of comments about how 'unfortunate' it was that it was being held in school holidays and that there were more children about. Given I still feel very young in my 40th year at these events, I don't know where these people think the next generation of support is coming from. I spoke to one family who had no idea it was gala event and were blown away by the number of trains and people, they were looking forward to a return visit. These people are the future!

Having dried out(!) a couple of thoughts. The weakness in timetable appeared to be 78018 at Highley and the fact it had to wait until the next up train had passed to run round using the platform road. 4555 utilised the far loop to run round and completed this much quicker as it was locked out from the main running line. Was this due to the fact 78018 had a 3 coach set and it was a fraction too long to not foul the foot crossing?

Having left Kidderminster behind 4079 20 late on the 'non-stop' to Bridgnorth last night, we then stopped everywhere and were 55 late by the end of the line, everything was out of place! I think it was fair to say the timetable had collapsed by this point.

That and the weather were the only low points though. This was a cracking gala, the staff were happy and having fun and overall a great atmosphere around the place. There was a real buzz yesterday, clearly the railway had been building up to this event and wanted to show what it was best at doing, they achieved that and looked to be well rewarded. 4079 was definitely the star, with some volcanic performances.

With better weather today and tomorrow, hopefully the tills will keep ringing and people will be reminded what a fantastic railway this is.