West Somerset Railway Spring Gala

National bus pass even cheaper!

 

Do you know how much they will cost?
And do you know how many carriages will be on each set?

Thanks

 

Thanks but we both have free bus passes

 

Me too, I would also like to know the number of coaches in each set please.

 

Any update on the loco rosters? Specifically coming down from Bristol for 419 but would like to book advance purchase rail tickets to get to Taunton. Difficult to plan the day without loco diagrams.

 

It's a bit like Christmas morning trying to get down as early as possible for the presents!! I really don't mind and can wait for the surprises nearer the time, all adds the the excitement even for a septuagenarian kid! I do understand some people want to plan and get the most out of the event, however, disappointment is a great cause of demotivation. If the planners give out a perfect plan too early and a loco falls by the way (shock horror, they don't actually do that do they?), then all sorts of recriminations boot in.
Easy said, but be patient, all comes to those who wait, and usually some unexpected surprises as a reward.
Harold.

 

Be my first visit since September 2018, so I guess you could say that was being patient.
I have been looking forward to this for a little while, I still keep in the back of my mind 419's 2019 record (GWSR hotbox, NNR failure, EOR no-show) so I am being a little cautious but what will be, will be.

If that and 75069 do turn up, it will be an absolute jaw-dropper, if they don't, then it'll just be a good excuse to head down to the seaside for the day.

 

Due to Engineering work our best way of getting to Taunton from Southampton isn’t available so we have to go via Reading which is twice the price and takes longer, limiting our time at the Gala. Therefore we will no go unless we see the loco allocations beforehand.

 

The joys of rail travel ....not. <BJ>

 

You say that about 419 but it worked FAULTLESS at Spa Valley and Battlefield Railway lately. It has received a lot of work since the 2019 tour.

 

Great news.
Should be a good event.

 

The Mid Hants certainly have when I have gone to their galas.
KWVR do and the PBR. I have been able to access the information before going to the events.
It has been very helpful, in the case of the MHR especially so, in planning and has contributed hugely to getting the most enjoyment from their galas which have been great.
I can understand the railways having caution defining what's going on but the vast majority of us are well aware of what can go wrong and that coaches and locos need work right up to the event. It cuts both ways, in my case the accommodation is costing £263 and its a 5 hr journey each way plus £82 for tickets. Given the outlay you cannot always commit to attendance without prior knowledge. A factor that hasn't been mentioned is who are the crew! I wouldn't for a minute expect prior knowledge of this, suffice to say I have witnessed much good enginemanship at the WSR.

 

An element of mystery surely adds to the charm of the event, this looks to be the outstanding gala so far this year and should be a massive money spinner for the luckless WSR.

 

For how it should be done just look at the Glos/Warwicks timetable for their Gala at the beginning of June. All complete and perfect with over a month to go. Other railways please note.

 

Not too fussed about loads and set details, though knowing what's a mega-train for maximum noise and knowing what's a 'local' set and might be packed doesn't hurt! Just very much appreciate Seb's suggestion that buying a programme in advance might be possible.

Britfoamer mentioned how disappointed people can get if planned rosters have to change. As much as I love to plan my railway days, I also never mind when things go wrong and a plan has to be replanned on the hoof. That's often just as much fun! Just for me when it's an event like this that I'm really keen to support and enjoy but will be dashing to for a few hours between work shifts and family priorities, I'd be gutted if I started at the wrong end of the line and missed a run up a bank behind double headed Manors or a perfect shot of the Caley tank because I hadn't been able to see the roster in advance. If I miss something because it broke down, fair enough, that happens!

 

That’s all good and well. Except. A major heritage line about to stage a Gala has had a steam locomotive fail. Any planned working timetable is currently in tatters. Sometimes it’s a very fine line between looking very clever and very foolish.

 

Just put the loco roster on line, if something changes then the online version simply gets amended. Don't bother producing a booklet. In my experience they're full of info I already know or don't need to know and end up getting thrown away at the first opportunity once I've torn the loco roster out.