East Somerset Railway gala 16-17 March

Not a bad article for once. Definitely worth a visit for the Gala.

 

I do understand that those that have built/restored 6880 will want to savour the success of launching their locomotive, but Tyseley does seem to be more protective of what's inside than in the past? Perception only and happy to be wrong though.
The Betton Grange blog (6880.co.uk) was last updated 4th December and I can't see any launch dates for members advertised atm??

 

It is fantastic to see the ESR getting first gala use of a brand new loco, it is of course the loco owners prerogative where they send their locos however it is nice to see a different line to the usual ones getting first use of the Grange

 

Lady of Legend replaces Betton Grange.

Info from https://www.facebook.com/share/8o9Vzn31r9UF7RU8/

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6880 socials have gone very quiet. I do wish sometimes loco groups would not commit to things before the engine is ready. 6880 on it's own will be a massive draw, doesn't really need to go to galas this year IMO.

 

Thought it was too good to be true. However Lady of Legend is probably the best possible replacement. I haven't seen either 46447 or 4110 in action so may well go along.

 

Others have commented that it already has a ticket so it’s no surprise that its owning group want to get it out and play with it and maximise the publicity they’re going to get from it. The last yards are always the hardest.

 

It can run as on it's own special days, would bring in more revenue for railways that way.

 

It did seem a bit ambitious to start announcing gala appearances while it was still having parts manufactured. A bit different to overhauling a loco and putting it all back together again. It's in the paint shop at the moment but still requires commissioning according to a reply on their Facebook page.

 

There is a bus to Cranmore

https://bustimes.org/services/162-shepton-mallet-stoke-st-michael-nunney-frome

Ah, my bad, not on a Saturday it seems

https://www.fromebus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/162-Frome-Shepton-Mallet.pdf

 

Possibly a bit difficult as most heritage lines have already advertised their operations for the immediate future ahead? I don’t disagree with you that it won’t be a crowd puller nor do I disagree that it shouldn’t be advertised as ready unless it’s ready, but sometimes snagging can take its time.

However I find it rather interesting (and I stress this is just me and my own thoughts) that a certain railway with facilities for high speed testing that’s rail connected not to far from Birmingham possibly wasn’t considered for running in or as a guest for an event their holding shortly?

Whilst I have some connections to the SVR and I’m sure there’s commercial and confidential reasons why it hasn’t happened, but I would have thought rather than putting it on a low loader there would be some sort of logic in sending it somewhere that’s has a rail connection and experience of GW 4-6-0’s that’s just down the road before touting it about, or am I just being a bit simple?

 

Will it though? Its just a big Manor or a small Hall?

 

Standard day with 6880 hauling all I was suggesting.

They'd have to put it on a lorry to get out of Tyseley wherever it was going to go.

 

Of course, this is a loco a lot of people have been very excited to see, more so than the return of 4079 and the launch of 2999 I would say.

 

Just put Betton’s plates on either of those and nobody would tell the difference.

 

Timetable announced as:

Passenger trains:

1000 - 2999

1055 - 4110

1140 - 2999

1230 - 46447

1330 - 4110

1425 - 46447 & 4110 (Double headed out, top and tail back - 4110 leads return trip)

1520 - 46447 & 2999 (Double headed, 46447 leads outward, 2999 leads return)

1610 - 2999 & 4110 (Double Headed, 2999 leads return)


Goods trips will shuttle from Cranmore station to the engine shed at the following times:

1040 - 46447

1410 - 2999

There is also a bus shuttling between Frome, Cranmore and Shepton free for ticket holders. Timetable attached.


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2999 has now arrived at Cranmore

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Cranmore was absolutely rammed today, great to see the East Somerset so busy. The Saint was the headliner but understandably handled cautiously; my runs behind the Prairie were much more exhilarating. The free bus from Frome was a great bonus as I’m without a car at the moment. Here’s a few mobile phone snaps:

 

Very busy this morning, plenty of families with contented small children. BBC Radio Somerset busy interviewing staff, visitors, and recording the train movements

I enjoyed my visit.

 

First visit to the line, very impressed.
Great gala, I hope this means that maybe a visitor plus home fleet might become a regular thing?