SVR Spring Steam Gala 16-19 April 2026

Many thanks for the update, looking forward to it tomorrow.

 

Sounds like a great job has been done by all involved both in terms of shed staff and organisers. Well done!

 

Great day on the railway yesterday, the vast majority of services were bang on time to the minute (if not early arriving!).

Trains were well loaded and I think the railway deserves credit for basically making Thursday now a full day rather than a preview day. 9 locos were planned and in the end all were out.

Great performances off 7802 in the afternoon, 4 coaches no bother, and I was surprised how much noise I could hear off 71000 from the 7th vehicle on the approach to Bewdley Tunnel, good stuff. Fantastic view through the cab of 238 viewing Judy on the climb out of Bewdley too.

Fantastic cake from Arley as usual! A female volunteer TTI on the Duke's rake was very polite towards me too which added to the day, the general public would be very impressed and it's these interactions which will want people to return for another day out.

Eavesdropping, the HL shuttle set is made up of 24617 (the BR livery LMS carriage) and Mk1 BCK 21254 and due to an oversight the pair will have no gangway connection for the event, and as we all know how busy those trains can be, just thought I'd mention it so some can be prepared.

 

Pug and Judy didn't double head this morning.

Top and tailed to Bewdley

 

The Duke of Gloucester heading back to Kidderminster Thursday evening.

 

Hagley Hall on an afternoons goods heading towards Bridgnorth.

 

Lovely day with trains running exceptionally to time (well once I arrived, had to come down from Manchester through the overhead electric chaos). Services seemed a bit lightly loaded outside of peak hours and the Duke's rake, but we'll see if tomorrow brings the crowds.

 

Well I couldn't fault the time table.

Or anything else.

 

Had rather a cracking afternoon on 813 today. Brilliant loco as always.

Been an excellent two days so far, and the feedback seems to be positive

 

Enjoyable day yesterday. 14 hours 20 minutes of steam for me. Timetable seemed to work really well with bits of catch up time without massive gaps. The latest a train I was on was about 10 minutes. It did feel quite quiet so I'm hoping you see lots more visitors over the next 2 days.

 

This set left Kidderminster this morning with the rear coach locked out of use and the remaining single coach filled to capacity!
Was planning to get it but opted for breakfast instead!

 

Same when I saw it at Bewdley last night. Guessing with no ability to walk between they need a member of staff in each carriage, not an easy thing to find on a gala weekend.

 

Actually it was opened just prior to departure once someone had been found to act as a competent person.

 

Good to hear, I'd given up by that point.

Does raise the question why it's required when other lines (Bluebell, Ffestiniog, IOW) run stock without gangways or even side corridors!
As a 2 coach set it's not like it's going to be off the platform anywhere.

 

Don’t worry it’s on our list to address!

 

Safety management system saying guards must have access to the whole train without having to alight?

 

4930 seemingly running in 1450’s booked slot this morning.

 

1450 has failed. Things being rejigged.

 

Broken spring I have overheard.