SVR Autumn Steam Gala - 22nd September 2012
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Posted on: 22nd September 2012 Updated on: 22nd September 2012 The Severn Valley's legendary three day, two night steam gala was once again a spectacular and atmospheric event, hosting a variety of visiting locomotives along side the home fleet. As with previous years, there was no designated theme although the event certainly had a strong Southern flavour with three ex SR locos in operation. Just about every train from mid morning onwards was standing room only and the stations, especially Highley, were very busy. But that did not detract from what is possibly Britain's Ultimate Steam gala. |
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Photos - 37 high quality photographs Video (HD, 13:07) Key Information: Locomotives: Home: No:42968, No:43106, No:2857, No:7812 'Erlestoke Manor', No:1501, No:5164, No:34504 'Sir Keith Park' Visiting: No:30120, No:31806, No:7799 No:3650, Verdict: |
(Above: Visiting 'T9' 4-4-0 No:30120 races down past Sandy Lane) (Left: No:43106 (honest!) rolls into Bewdley)
Main AttractionsIf any event had a unique selling point, the SVR's Autumn Gala does. It offers something which cannot be experienced at any other gala; the unparalleled atmosphere created by steam trains running throughout the night. This year's timetable provided plenty of action; from goods trains to local trains between Kidderminster and Highley and also Bridgenorth and Hampton Loade, as well as full line trains. The workshops at Bridgenorth were also open to the public.
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LocomotivesFour visitors joined the SVR's home fleet for the gala, forming an interesting and varied line up and a chance to see some Southern interlopers on the ex Great Western Line.
The National Railway Museum's LSWR 'T9' 4-4-0 No:30120 proved popular, making its first visit away from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway after its second overhaul in preservation two years ago. The 'Greyhound' got a chance to stretch its legs on the 16mile line and was let loose on one trip up to Kidderminster from Bridgenorth before working some of the Kidderminster - Arley local trains. (Right: No:30120 awaits departure time from Bewdley) The second Southern interloper was the Mid Hants' 'U' class mogul 2-6-0 No:31806 visiting the SVR for the first time. The 1928 built Mogul seemed well suited to the Valley and spent the day working full line trains, albeit hauling a rake of Maroon LMS carriages. Didcot Railway Centre's Pannier tank No:3650 was not expected to be running at the event as it had been hired over the summer to fill a shortage of steam motive power and stayed on the SVR for some attention, stepped into resident No:4566's roster over the weekend as the 'Small Prairie' was sidelined with safety valve problems. |
No:3650 also got the chance to enjoy some longer running than on the demonstration line at Didcot, although it was only tasked with Kidderminster-Arley-Highley local trains.
National Trust owned LNWR Webb 'Coal Tank' 0-6-2T No:7799 was the only visitor returning to the 'Valley' for a second time. (Left: No:7799 approaches Hampton Loade with a local train) The 1888 built machine, which had previously visited in the 1980s, was recently repainted into its 1920s LMS black livery for the first time since 1948. However, this event represented a rare opportunity to see the charming locomotive in this livery as she is scheduled to be repainted again, this time into its trademark lined LNWR black colour scheme it has carried for most of its preserved life, by the start of |
2013. The veteran tank engine was not too taxed by its appropriate load of two LMS coaches on the Bridgenorth - Hampton Loade local trains which it happily trundled back and forth with, accompanied by its delightfully gentle 'pht pht' exhaust note. We did have to feel for No:7799's crew though, having read John Drayton's excellent book 'Across The Footplate Years' and found out about the 'narrow, cramped' footplates that were without seats and the driving position that caused 'what may be termed Gadget (the nickname for the locos) elbow'.
The star from the home fleet was, until it failed at Bewdley on Saturday afternoon at least, newly unique and newly restored Hawksworth 15xx 0-6-0PT No:1501 which complimented the GWR |
goods train it was paired with very well, although it was actually built by British Railways. Hawksworth's chunky pannier looked immaculate in BR mixed traffic lined black which several of its classmates carried but No:1501 itself did not.
Another new arrival on the home roster list was Bullied 'light Pacific' 4-6-2 No:34053 'Sir Keith Park' which is on long term loan to the SVR from Southern Locomotives LTD. 'Sir Keith' also only recently entered traffic after restoration from Barry scrapyard condition and then extensive testing and running in on the SVR after arriving in late April. Although she (all steam locomotives are apparently 'she') was paired with the railway's superb rake of LNER teak coaches, it was a good touch to see her carrying the Bournemouth Belle headboard and traditional SR route discs. All of the usual suspects from the SVR home fleet saw action, including No:7812 'Erlestoke Manor' which we did not actually see, but was rostered for powering some of the overnight trains. Stanier Mogul No:42968 was also making a welcome return to traffic after a spate of broken springs and sadly making its last gala appearance before the end of its 10 year boiler certificate in January.
Another new arrival on the home roster list was Bullied 'light Pacific' 4-6-2 No:34053 'Sir Keith Park' which is on long term loan to the SVR from Southern Locomotives LTD. 'Sir Keith' also only recently entered traffic after restoration from Barry scrapyard condition and then extensive testing and running in on the SVR after arriving in late April. Although she (all steam locomotives are apparently 'she') was paired with the railway's superb rake of LNER teak coaches, it was a good touch to see her carrying the Bournemouth Belle headboard and traditional SR route discs. All of the usual suspects from the SVR home fleet saw action, including No:7812 'Erlestoke Manor' which we did not actually see, but was rostered for powering some of the overnight trains. Stanier Mogul No:42968 was also making a welcome return to traffic after a spate of broken springs and sadly making its last gala appearance before the end of its 10 year boiler certificate in January.
Visitor NumbersBeing such a fantastic event with so much to see does have its draw backs however. The Autumn Gala always has been one of the Severn Valley's busiest weekends aside from 'Thomas' and Santa Specials and this year was no exception. Remembering our experiences last year, when at one point trains were so full passengers had to be turned away, we pitched up at Bewdley around 6AM and even then on the first train we caught in some of the open MK1s every table was taken. Well, okay; at each table there was only one person, invariably looking very pretty enjoying their beauty sleep who had evidently been camped out at that table all night. However, many trains were
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(Above: 'U' No:31806 rumbles into a relatively busy Arley station at around 10am) standing room only by mid morning and as a result we shelved our plans to attempt to get to Bridgenorth as we were tightly packed in and got off at Highley along with the rest of the world (and his wife, 2.5 kids etc). As with last year, Highley was especially busy as the Engine House is now a major attraction and the delightful country station offers several good vantage points for taking photos of trains arriving and leaving.
However, the
relatively short platform meant trains often had to stand for several minutes as passengers fought (not quite literally) to get on and off. It was good that the timetable writers appeared to have learnt from some of the problems experienced last year and squeezed in some more shuttles that went to Highley.
Overall it is difficult to gauge whether there were actually more or less visitors than previous years, in any case visitor numbers seemed very healthy. (Right: No:34053 'Sir Keith Park' at Highley with the Bournemouth Belle) |
Timetabling
This year's timetable was generally very good with plenty going on and lots of variety, with some good improvements on last years. Important lessons appeared to have been learnt from the overcrowding at Highley last year; the timetable was arranged so that Highley was not only served by the full line trains as it was last year, but some of the shuttles from Kidderminster worked as far as Highley as well, which seemed to ease the overcrowding there. Of course, it is swings and roundabouts; there will be those who will complain because when the stock from the shuttle train was shunted to allow a full line train to occupy the platform this blocked their view where they had parked themselves opposite the platform.
In fact, most of the 'problems' with the timetable were more caused by our misreading of the timetable than anything else; for instance the 'double header' which turned out to be a top and tail service instead which we'd planned our whole day around. A minor issue was the lack of double headers, an issue not helped by the failure of No:1501 which was due to be part of some of the timetabled double headed workings. Although, we do understand that running double headers on the SVR is a tricky business with the severe weight restriction on Victoria Bridge.
It was unfortunate that one of the star visiting locomotives, 'Coal Tank' No:7799, was running between Bridgenorth and Hampton Loade all day, making it a challenge to fit in seeing this delightful loco. Would it be too much to ask to have smaller visitors like that working at least one full line round trip, even if it was at the start or end of the day or double heading with another loco tucked inside so (Left: No:42968 at Bewdley) |
that it could be seen in some different locations and slightly more easily? For instance, the Mid Hants Railway managed to do this quite effectively at last year's Autumn Steam Spectacular when the smallest visitor, 'N2' 0-6-2T No:1744 worked one trip down the whole line and double headed back first thing in the morning before working local trains the rest of the day. The Working Timetable was available to order over the internet for the very reasonable cost of £5, or on the day at the booking offices for the same price. The hefty, comprehensive document is a very worthwhile aquisistion that provided all the details you might want to know, apart from the directions locomotives were facing.
Value for money
Although some complained that it wasn't worth paying about £20 for an all day rover just to stand on all the trains, on most services we caught we were fortunate enough to find a seat, the price still represents good value for money for what it offers; something no other gala really gives you the glorious atmosphere of night time steam.
Conclusions
Britain's Ultimate Steam Gala? Definitely. The SVR Autumn Gala provided more unforgettable moments and scenes positively dripping with atmosphere than there is space to mention here. Another superb event; there is no other gala quite like it and it seems as popular as ever. This event did not need a specific theme,even if technically and authentically an SR 'U' class in BR black wouldn't have hauled crimson lake LMS stock it was great to see some 'foreign' locos on the SVR.
I wish to extend a massive 'thank you' to all the volunteers and organisers who made the event happen and their dedication for ensuring the trains continue to run all night long and make this wonderful event the unique experience it is. Thank you for taking the time to read this report, watch the video, and take a look at the photos, hope you enjoy them, and if you were able to go they will bring back happy memories and if you weren't able to go, well, you can see what you missed- take a seat and make a cup of tea....
I wish to extend a massive 'thank you' to all the volunteers and organisers who made the event happen and their dedication for ensuring the trains continue to run all night long and make this wonderful event the unique experience it is. Thank you for taking the time to read this report, watch the video, and take a look at the photos, hope you enjoy them, and if you were able to go they will bring back happy memories and if you weren't able to go, well, you can see what you missed- take a seat and make a cup of tea....