SVR Autumn Steam Gala - 24th September 2011
You are here: Home > Latest Reports
Posted on: 25th September2011 Updated on: 27th September 2011 The beautiful SVR played host to a magnificent line up of locomotives from the home fleet and visiting locomotives over the last weekend in September.
|
In recent times, despite having always been the enthusiast's gala of the year, the SVR's Autumn Gala weekend had suffered from waning passenger figures and there had been warnings that the event had struggled to make any money. However, this year the organisers really went for it- hiring in no fewer than five visiting engines to try and pull in the punters - and judging by the comments of some visitors and our own experience on Saturday it certainly did that! (Left: No:6024 'King Edward I' runs around its train at Bridgenorth on 24/09/11)
Main AttractionsThis gala offers something which can only really be experienced at this event - the magic of steam power throughout the night, combined with an intensive timetable that this year included goods trains, regular shuttles between Kidderminster, Bewdley and Arley and full line trains, mainly in the hands of the visiting locos.
|
LocomotivesFor many enthusiasts the undoubted star of the show was Caledonian Railway '812' 0-6-0 No:828 which was making what was believed to be its first visit south of the border. No:828 put in some plucky performances with its six coach rake of LMS coaches and won the hearts of many photographers, its bright blue paintwork almost made up for the rather dull conditions! (Right: No:828 accelerates away from the speed restriction over Victoria Bridge) Unfortunately, the other blue loco that was due to take centre stage - Didcot's 'King' No:6023 'King Edward II' was unable to make it to the SVR because of maintance work. Similarly Jeremy Hosking's 'Castle' No:5029 'Nunney Castle' was unavailable and its place was taken in the roster in the 11th hour by the West
|
Somerset Railway's 'Large Prairie' No:4160. The 2-6-2T would have been the only tank engine to grace the line this weekend had it not been for seemingly failure prone No:43106's withdrawal on Friday and its place was taken by fellow Bridgenorth shedmate 'Small Prairie' No:4566 on the Bridgenorth - Hampton Loade shuttles on Saturday.After missing its booked appointment on the SVR in between its busy mainline schedule because of boiler work at Easter, new build 'A1' 4-6-2 No:60163 'Tornado' proved a big hit with the general public, although prehaps less so with enthusiasts as its large tractive effort meant that even with an 8 coach rake the 'A1' wasn't exactly stretched even on Eardington Bank, one of the steepest gradients. Although, having said that No:60163 did make a fine sight slipping and sliding rather at Highley in the afternoon! (Left: No:60163 'Tornado' glides across Victoria Bridge with the late running 11:00 ex Kidderminster)
|
In a 'like for like' replacement, 'King' No:6024 'King Edward I' stepped into the gap left by its classmate and performed well throughout theday on a very smart rake of GWR coaches. The last visitor had also spend its summer holidays on the line - the gigantic 9F 2-10-0 No:92212 from the Mid Hants Railway worked a variety of trains including, somewhat incongrouously, yet at the same time elegantly, on the the line's interesting rake of GWR goods wagons and vans. However, for most of the day the '9F' dealt rather dismissively with a rake of 10 vehicles that including some of the SVR's dining coaches.
(Left: Early morning atmosphere - No:2857 simmers at Bewdley with the goods) From the home fleet, it was prehaps 28xx No:2857, recently returned from a protracted 15 year overhaul, that was most popular. |
She too took a turn on the goods although it was a shame that there wasn't a second run in the evening for the her run was due to depart Bewdley at 06:10, a bit early for some people! But, when we arrived at about 06:45 she was still there, simmering patiently, so we were treated to the unexpected bonus of seeing her depart with the goods. How long before No:2857 and No:2807 from the GWSR are reunited?
Visitor NumbersAs alluded to earlier in the article virtually every train was packed, many, especially behind Nos:828 & 60163. Several visitors were heard to say that this was the busiest they had ever seen the line whilst some claimed the gala had become a 'victim of its own success'. However, it was at Highley where trains were severely overcrowded, because Highley has now become a major destination for visitors thanks to the Engine House there were large volumes of people wishing to get on and off trains and the issue was compounded by the fact that the platform at Highley is not very long - it can only accomodate a few coaches - making things slow for everybody.
|
(Left: 9F No:92212 clanks into a packed Highley station whilst the fireman collects the single line token from the signalman) The situation came to a head at about 3PM when passengers had to be turned away from one service, a task that, it must be said the SVR volunteers handled very well, however, the next service, despite being formed of 10 vehicles was almost as full! One possible after
effect of this is that families could be put off visiting the line again after such an experience, being packed onto trains like sardines could be scary for younger visitors.
However, all in all the event was a credit to the SVR's organisational skills and all the volunteers we came into contact with were very kind and professional, without them nothing on this scale could ever be attempted! (Right: Last minute visitor No:4160 drifts toward Victoria Bridge with a local train tailed by No:2857) |
Timetabling
Generally, the timetable was pretty sensible with a good length of stops at stations although trains were running about 30minutes late at one point, by then end of the day this defict seemed to have been eliminated. There was an intensive service overall, although there were more operations on the southern end of the line with the top and tailed shuttles. This did have the unfotunate effect that Highley, the station many visitors would probably liked to have got to, was only served by whole line trains and although the shuttles from the other end of the line with No:4566 did reach Highley these only operated as empty stock workings for operational reasons,
I'm sure. But it did nothing to ease the overcrowding on some services.
The only other minor gripe with the timetable was the absence of any double headed working apart from one or two at night, in contrast to events in previous years. 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. (Left: Wreathed in steam, No:46443 shunts at Bridgenorth)
Value for moneyAlthough 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 and apart from being turned away from one service at Highley and then standing on the next one, the price still represents good value for money for what it offers.
|
Conclusions
Despite a couple of hicups with very full trains and minor late running, all in all the gala was still an amazing event - there is quite simply nothing else like it! To those that say it was a 'victim of its own success', I for one will the returning again next year and I'm sure many other will not be put off either. Prehaps on this occasion the SVR went one too many on the visitng engine front and the answer for next year it to have fewer visiting engines?
The only small disapointment was on a purely personal level - at about 3PM my camcorder battery died after 'only' having been at the event for 8 hours - the first time it has run out whilst on a trip!
But, 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- without the overcrowding!
The only small disapointment was on a purely personal level - at about 3PM my camcorder battery died after 'only' having been at the event for 8 hours - the first time it has run out whilst on a trip!
But, 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- without the overcrowding!