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Avon Valley Railway End of Season Gala 2&3 November

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Paul.Uni, Sep 25, 2024.

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  1. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the update, I hope today's runs are easier for all.
     
    cg, Nov 3, 2024
    #41
  2. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    The goods train has been shunted into the sidings. Unfortunately, it will only be treated to one run today. [BJ]
     
    free2grice, Nov 3, 2024
    #42
  3. Wagoniester

    Wagoniester Member

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    Water supply issues at BItton today have thrown things into disarray. Polish loco has been pulled, timetable being revised to suit. A class 31 has come out to help keep things going.
     
    Wagoniester, Nov 3, 2024
    #43
  4. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Apart from a few niggles, everything seems to be going well.

    Joking aside, s##t happens. :( <BJ>
     
    free2grice, Nov 3, 2024
    #44
  5. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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    cg, Nov 3, 2024
    #45
  6. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    A sad ending to the gala. The timetable was basically ripped up at lunchtime, with 1450 and autocoach the only train in service after 4pm. [BJ]
     
    free2grice, Nov 3, 2024
    #46
  7. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    I had planned to visit the gala this weekend but six hours on the M5 on Friday ( coming back from Devon) significantly diminished my enthusiasm to go back on it Saturday . As it was it was closed jnc 9-8 both ways saturday morning so the right call was probably made . Sunday then turned into a straight choice between the AVR and DFR gala's . A full timetable available from one which helped us plan the day significantly helped swing the decision so apologies to the AVR , we went to the Forest of Dean . Reading the thread , probably the right decision again

    I did feel for all involved reading this thread as the best laid plans unravelled . Gala's are curious beasts (and this is not meant in any way as a criticism of the AVR but a broader observation) a railway that is used to operating a fairly simple service can be challenged when presented with suddenly a very complex operation . I watched one leading railway turn a 15 minute segment into well over an hour and a timetable destroyed as a result and that was simply down to complexity, unfamilarity with moves and time taken to communicate what was happening

    I have in the past spent a fascinating evening running through a gala timetable with the aid of small objects tracking every move to make sure it worked and I am sure everyone at Bitton will use the experience this weekend to improve matters next time
     
    Sidmouth, Nov 4, 2024
    #47
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  8. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    GWR 0-4-2T 1450 passes 3 Arch bridge en route from Avon Riverside to Oldland Common on 26th October.
    The loco is seen hauling a service train, used as a test run prior to the steam gala the following weekend. <BJ>

    [​IMG]

    1450 at speed. Let's hope that the loco can stay for the Santa season

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2024
    free2grice, Nov 6, 2024
    #48
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  9. Evening Star

    Evening Star New Member

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    It will not be staying.
     
    Evening Star, Nov 6, 2024
    #49
  10. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    1450 expected at SVR for the winter steam gala . I suspect to allow checks and test runs as well as any repairs needed arrival will be wanted earlier than post christmas
     
    Sidmouth, Nov 6, 2024
    #50
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  11. ruddingtonrsh56

    ruddingtonrsh56 Well-Known Member

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    I'd also doubt that 1450 would be large enough or have enough reserve water capacity to be useful in the Santa Season
     
    ruddingtonrsh56, Nov 6, 2024
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  12. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    1450 has been used on Santas before, with a diesel on the rear. Gwili did this in 2010 and the Dean Forest did in 2013.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2024
    JBTEvans, Nov 7, 2024
    #52
  13. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    And at the GWSR in 1998.

    It also successfully ran the first Dawlish Donkeys on the mainline of course so perhaps more useful than some think.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Nov 7, 2024
    #53
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  14. ruddingtonrsh56

    ruddingtonrsh56 Well-Known Member

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    Depends on whether the AVR want to incur the extra running cost and crewing requirements of shoving a diesel on the back. Given they have both Wimblebury and their Polish Tank available which I would imagine have the power and water capacity to do the Santa trips on their own (if that is their way of operating), I don't really see what is to be gained by trying to keep a smaller loco around that likely needs another loco in order to ensure it can comfortably do the duties required of it. Plus, it's not like they can use it as an attraction to draw in extra enthusiasts because Santas are the type of operation where the exact steam loco hauling your train matters least - as long as it goes 'puff puff' the general public (who are the target demographic of these operations' are happy
     
    ruddingtonrsh56, Nov 7, 2024
    #54
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  15. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Last time I popped in during the Santa season, en route to photograph a mainline tour, it was steam with a 31 on the back.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Nov 7, 2024
    #55
  16. Evening Star

    Evening Star New Member

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    It's going back to the SVR, end of story.
     
    Evening Star, Nov 7, 2024
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