SVR Autumn Steam Gala on 23 -25 September 2011

I know this is negative, but my choice will be to travel behind 69023 or 828, so that I can hear the engines working, and hopefully not be wedging in overcrowded "Tornado" hauled trains.
With all this motive power available thought should have been given to a two-weekend event, ( and no doubt was...)but I appreciate the strains that puts on staff and volunteers, particularly with overnight running.

I rode behing the GNR N2 when Tornado last visited. Plenty of space on the train, and an engine working hard at the front. SVR station platforms were full from end to end (at least at Bridgnorth) for Tornado. Trains equally packed. Sorry, not for me!

Previously rode behind 71000 on the SVR and as others have said, "quiet" !

 

This was done several times during the 80's. I was on a run done during the Saturday evening of a gala (pre-all night running), Bridgnorth to Kiddy behind 8233, return behind visiting Jubilee 5593. The load was 15 or 16 and it was pretty loud both ways.

Operationally a bit interesting, but it can be done.

 

Never mind a gala, choose any day of the year and I'll pay gala fares for that :lol:. Would be far more interested in the return run with the 8F (iirc?) though!

EDIT: The post above will be the one I'm thinking of!

 

Getting back to the proper topic, although I would love to see some power pulls, the SVR has confirmed Tornado as a guest. No news on Joem yet.

 

Just noticed this

 

Well I am thrilled that the SVR has managed to land Tornado for the gala, it has made an already exceptional gala line unmissable. Yes, there will be overcrowding, but with numerous trains running and several big visitors the crowds will probably be better spread than if Tornado was the sole headliner, I for one will want to get behind 6023 and 828 just as much as 60163. The funding for Tornado had already been budgeted for and while i'm sure the railway would've have preferred the loco over a half term week it simply wasn't available, so a gala visit is better than no visit at all. Not all of us can afford to spend out 80 quid on a mainline run when contact with the loco is limited to water stops (if you're lucky) and the destination. Preserved railways are where we can get up close to these beasts and admire the engineering, even if the loco is only running in first gear! Though I do expect we will hear 6023 working! Please can we put aside negative views and personal preferences and look at this gala for what it is; the finest line up of locos you will see at a railway this year, with the most intensive timetable and all night running that you won't find anywhere else. Now that is something to be proud of I think.. !

 

Well Said!

Lewis

 

Any against? Motion carried! Still no official word on 69023 - a red herring perhaps?

 

Devil's advocate, but in your personal viewpoint its the finest lineup of 2011. Different people will have different preferences to what is the best line up of 2011..

Agreed that the all night running is one hell of an achievement and something to be proud of. It is something that keeps me on the railway all 3 days, as nowhere else can you have your head out of a window at 3am enjoying the sound of steam loco going about its business. Nor can you go anywhere else and wake up to the sound of a Manor starting the climb of Eardington when as far as you were aware you were still in Kidderminster! It is a unique atmosphere that the SVR creates, and is why I have only missed 1 gala (due to work) since I can remember. Even when I was little my mum/dad would take the family away for the weekend and stay in the area all weekend. The only complaint I've ever had is why only run 4coach trains at night, but we've been through that argument many times before. Just got to look forward to it and enjoy it as I have done all the previous years.

 

Well I'm against the phrase

- you can't tell potential passengers they should attend and expect them to do so, it's their time and money and you have to convince them! But as I said above I've no doubt the gala will be a huge success.

 

I had my first visit to the SVR on Saturday and it was absolutely brilliant, and I think that this Autumn Gala should be spectacular, in particular 4566, which was out on Sunday and sounding brilliant.
For all those in doubt, you can't be sure until you've tried it.

Is there definitely going to be night time, round the clock running?

 

I cannot answer for the SVR, but I would be VERY surprised if there was not. It is a proven formulae that gets the visitors in, and I doubt that that will change, certainly not this year anyway.

 

Right, thanks for that.

 

Yes, there is definitely going to be all night running. There was question of it this year but the feedback the Gala committee had point to it being continued.

 

Excellent, thanks for that info. I think I'll most probably make the 200 Mile Trip down to visit, in particular 4566, that lovely Small Prairie

 

A little update, BR 9F 92212 is visit the SVR until after the ASG.
Joem looks like it might have been a red herring.

 

What a gala this is going to be!! Always wanted to see a 9F on the SVR. Wonder what stock it will be paired up with - really hoping it will have a run on the freight along with the 28 at some point. As for locos with stock I guess this would make sense:

King with blood & custard
Castle with GWR
Tornado with BR Maroon
9F with?

I guess they could split the teaks and LMS sets so the Caladonian loco could run with 3 or 4 LMS coaches on 1 local and the NE tank could run on the other local with 3 or 4 teaks?

1 thing for sure - there wont be many turns left for the home fleet - just the over night stuff.... can't beat a bit of manor chimney music through the night though

Can't wait now... putting my request in for sunny skys now please!!

 

Have to agree this is shaping up to be a fantastic gala line up, truly something for everyone. At least a 2 day rover going to be needed!

 

So then, visiting loco's for the gala - 6023, 5029, tornado, 92212 and 828 looks to be good gala having seen parts of the timetable and heard about others it will be very interesting and worth having the camera out!

 

Superb line-up. What a shame they cannot follow other lines and go for a two-weekend/six day event.

I just worry about the "Japanese-style crush" on the trains.

....and in the car parks!!!