Llangollen Railway Spring Steam Gala 8th, 9th and 10th April

This years Spring Gala at Llangollen will have a very North Wales / Cambrian Coast theme.

The Star visitor is 7812 - Erlestoke Manor courtesy of the Severn Valley Railway.

This will feature alongside locos from the home fleet:

7822 - Foxcote Manor (Fingers Crossed!)
3802,
6430,
5643,
80072,
44806

Further details of the event and the timetable will be added as and when available.

All that has to be asked now is which Manor should be on the front for the Doubleheaded runs!!!

 

Fantastic!!!!!! Finally, double-headed Manors on my local line. I wasn't there last time they did it and I can't wait. I can't believe my favourite loco's back so quickly. I was distinctly digalon when she went in 2008 but, thankfully, the Dee Valley hasn't been without her ROAR for too long! Anyway, I'm being a little hasty, here but still... I don't suppose there's any chance of the railmotor being in use or even in steam over the weekend?

 

I'm sure it's back at Didcot by then...

Lewis

 

The possible return of Foxcote Manor is great news. The most memorable trip of the SSS1 gala was Foxcote going through Berwyn non stop with 8 on. The noise was glorious yet looking at the regulator setting she had plenty left. Any chance of some longer trains for this gala?

 

Gets my vote!

 

According to the publicity received with charter invites for the railmotor, it's not scheduled to do any public runs at all - just running in turns, the charters and then off to Didcot. Invites also stated that the running in turns would involve tarpaulins covering the roof to protect it.

 

A longer set has been asked for. It will probably be a 6 or 7 coach rake of Blood and Custards. Fingers crossed (again) the Thompson Buffet will be opperational again, and part of this set.

 

http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/img/uploads/58_16f57e2bb121b87a70b8347d0be682fc.pdf

 

I'm impressed at how quickly 7822 has undergone overhaul, it certainly caught me out as I didn't even know it had been started! Incidentally the Foxcote Manor society website appears to have died.

Paul

 

The overhaul this time hasn't been quite as intense as the previous time. The only major work that has been done is the boiler. This has had a full retube and about a foot of new steel around the bottom of the outer firebox. A new smokebox and Ashpan has also been manufactured.

As far as the bottom end goes, it is pretty much the same as it was when it finished in 2007! It had had a full new set of tyres about 5 years into it's ticket then, so all the boxes and motion were refettled. The Cylinders and valves were rebored during the winter of 2006. And the tender tank had been replaced in 2002 / 2003. So when the loco was withdrawn from service, it was the best it had ever been!!

I fired Foxcote on last round trip it did, and it was absolutly perfect!

 

I notice that 6430 is set to recreate the Bala to Ruabon local, will this be formed with the autos or another carriage set?

Cheers,
Lewis

 

We can't say for certain yet until the timetable for the Gala is released.

 

Unlikely, but we can always hope for the Subs!

 

...would love to see them again

Lewis

 

Need a lot of work to them, main items being a new coat of paint and new batteries. There is a number of people within the rly trying to get something going, so hopefully we may seem them in use again one day.

 

It will run with 3 maroon Mk 1's... Something different for a gala for the pannier.

Unfortunatly the Subs aren't currently fit fo passenger use, but as Jon says, there is a group of volunteers getting together to do them up.

 

7812? WSR!

 

7812 has now returned to SVR, but there still seems to be hope of her appearing at LR Ken.

 

Any news on 7822 Foxcote Manor yet?

Cheers,
Lewis

 

Boiler is now back in frames. I think the steam test was passed successfully about a fortnight ago.