Severn Valley Railway Spring Diesel Gala May 18-20 2017

[37038]

Surprised this hasn't been brought up anywhere else... Unless I've missed it haha

Thurs 18 - Sat 20 May Diesel Gala
Sun 21 May Mixed Traffic Day

Special Attractions:
- Kidderminster Diesel Depot open for visits
- Brake van rides at Highley on all three days, featuring No. D2961 - a locomotive normally confined to Bridgnorth Boiler Shop. Available from 10.30 to 13.00 & 14.00 to 16.30 on a first come, first served basis.
- A sight not to be missed: the two surviving Class 45/0 variants working alongside each other for the first time in preservation!
- Hired-in Mk2 air-conditioned carriages
- Coalyard Miniature Railway in operation all three days, with miniature diesel locomotives in action.

Anyway, the usual mad line-up from the organisers...

Home Fleet:
D2961 D3572 (D4100 OR 12099) D9551 20059 20188 50031 50035 50049 D1015 D1062 (plus possibly 50007)

Visitors@
D8568 20189 20205 31271 33035 33108 D6700 45041 45060 47192 47828 50008 55022 (DB LOCO) 667xx 739xx

Plus at least three more mainline TOC locos

 

[fireftrm]

Mk2 AC coaches - oh joy

 

[RichmondCommu]

I'm sure that the SVR welcome the free publicity but you've not given us the date!

 

[37038]

Did mean to put that....

Mk2 aircons and (I think) 7 of their own sets. Better than the LUL 4TC rubbish last year

 

[Greenback]

I've amended the thread title for you. Seems to be May 18th, 19th and 20th according to the website.

 

[fireftrm]

Did mean to put that....

Mk2 aircons and (I think) 7 of their own sets. Better than the LUL 4TC rubbish last year

7 sets? I agree that a rake of Mk2 AC is better than the LUL 4TC set - if needed for air braked locos, but AC set with some high probability of being behind a non-ETH loco in a (potentially) warm time of the year......

 

[Cowley]

We're going (it's my birthday on the Sunday so we're staying in the van at Hampton Loade campsite), quite some lineup and if last year is anything to go by it'll probably be heaving. Not been behind D6700, 20189 or D2961 which is quite a low hit rate but I go every year as I love the diesels and I love the scenery. Should be great and I also agree that the TC wasn't ideal last year.

 

[AnthonyRail]

Thought all the visiting locos were announced?

 

[Cowley]

Thought all the visiting locos were announced?

I think there's at least one tbc. Maybe from a FOC? Not sure.

 

[AnthonyRail]

We're going (it's my birthday on the Sunday so we're staying in the van at Hampton Loade campsite), quite some lineup and if last year is anything to go by it'll probably be heaving. Not been behind D6700, 20189 or D2961 which is quite a low hit rate but I go every year as I love the diesels and I love the scenery. Should be great and I also agree that the TC wasn't ideal last year.

Wish we had something like this down this way, train fares to Birmingham are costly, but think it's a gala not to missed

 

[Cowley]

Wish we had something like this down this way, train fares to Birmingham are costly, but think it's a ala not to missed

It is a bit of a trek. I go to the West Somerset mixed traffic gala most years but it's nowhere near as good. The South Devons diesel galas are good though, really enjoyed the last one. I'd like to get up to an ELR one and a NYMR one some day. Hopefully going to the DMU gala at the ELR later in the year.
Mr first SVR diesel gala was in 1991, 26 years ago which is quite hard to believe. I think 45060 was at that one too (it seems to follow me around).

 

[37038]

You'll have to wait until 2018 possibly 2019 for an NYMR diesel gala.

Three more mainline locos to be announced according to organiser on wnxx

 

[AnthonyRail]

If the visiting locos aren't in use on given day, are they available for view somewhere

 

[37038]

They'll be spread about on services and some will be stabled at Bewdley overnight (probs AO locos for Mk2 set) but everything else will be dotted about Kiddy.

Depot is available to visit

 

[Cowley]

They'll be spread about on services and some will be stabled at Bewdley overnight (probs AO locos for Mk2 set) but everything else will be dotted about Kiddy.

Depot is available to visit

I'm curious to know your opinion on D6700? On YouTube there's a few clips from a couple of years ago up at I think the Wensleydale railway and it sounded pretty ropey. A few of the comments weren't too flattering either. I've never been behind it but does it still have problems do you know?
It was bashed by one of the HNRC 37s a few years too at Barrow Hill too although obviously that's been repaired.

 

[37038]

Nothing wrong with the frame etc, that was fixed. It was crud up until it knackered its traction motors a while ago at Grosmont.

Been to UKRL at Leicester, had work done on TMs and (I think) it's had a load bank. Can't vouch for whether it'll be better these days but the NRM have spent five figures on it so at least it's a runner.

We'll find out soon enough as it's due to appear at the Bluebell first

 

[Cowley]

Nothing wrong with the frame etc, that was fixed. It was crud up until it knackered its traction motors a while ago at Grosmont.

Been to UKRL at Leicester, had work done on TMs and (I think) it's had a load bank. Can't vouch for whether it'll be better these days but the NRM have spent five figures on it so at least it's a runner.

We'll find out soon enough as it's due to appear at the Bluebell first

Thanks for that 37038. It'll be good to hear it getting a workout up Erdington bank with 8 on...

 

[Techniquest]

Oh I so very much want to go to this one, it promises to be hellfire!

Agreed on the LUL 4TC set, I had it on the Bluebell in April last year and it is so not suited to a gala!

 

[AnthonyRail]

Booked train for the Friday, going 2 be epic

 

[37038]

Think you'll need more than a day to cover everything! Took me 2.5 last time and there's more locos this year Unless you don't need much?

Other issue is that some locos might not work at all some days?

 

[Cowley]

We did it over two days last year and there were a couple of things I missed out on, it was great staying up there though and doing some of the later trains.

 

[AnthonyRail]

Late night running sounds good, may stay over and do the Saturday

 

[tonytraynor]

Its a bit odd/annoying that the 2056 off Bridgnorth only runs as far as Bewdley on the Friday night, People who need to get back to Brum may not like to risk the 2236 arrival for the last train at 2248 whereas if it ran through would form a lovely comfortable connection.

cheers Tony

 

[AnthonyRail]

Any more visiting locos announced?

 

[37038]

not yet

 

[Cowley]

I see D6700 has been pulled for maintenance and also the SVR based 20059 and 20188 surprisingly. Does anyone know why the 20s aren't running? I know that they're privately owned.

 

[37038]

Politics and a rumoured search for a new home

 

[Techniquest]

Every gala I go to with a 20 in the lineup sees them get pulled! Bluebell last year didn't have them out on the day of my visit and now SVR are denying me of 20 thrash!

 

[Cowley]

Every gala I go to with a 20 in the lineup sees them get pulled! Bluebell last year didn't have them out on the day of my visit and now SVR are denying me of 20 thrash!

All is not lost Tech as 20205 and 20189 are there too

 

[Techniquest]

All is not lost Tech as 20205 and 20189 are there too

Oh good, bring them on!