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North Norfolk Steam Gala, what to expect?

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E759

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Will be attending my first Steam Gala of this Century, what should I expect? Reason for asking is that in a SRV or NYMR thread I saw comments along the lines that it gets so busy it can be a bit of disappointing. I’m not bothered about clean shots of engines, in fact I like to take pictures with people adding context to the occasion (where this is possible).

I’ve attended a couple of Diesel Galas in 2018 and greatly enjoyed them. I like the mix of people, the intensive service and the enthusiasm for the locos.

Railway is North Norfolk and will be going on the Friday to avoid a crush. [There are great Advances from Liverpool Street.]

Thanks in anticipation.
 
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E759

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Being school holidays, expect lots of families and children...
Ah, slight miscalculation then, oops! Thank you for noticing that as I didn’t twig. But the Advances are still very cheap

I see there are a few more later in the year to select from.
 
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Not sure if you've been to the NNR before, but there are a few places to avoid the crowds. There's a nice woodlands walk between Weybourne and Kelling Heath. This follows the track closely and at the latter, where the line goes into a cutting onto the heath, there's a lovely viewpoint of the railway and onto the coast. This is also one of the steepest points of the line, so the locos are usually in full chorus.

Something to bear in mind if you do the above walk, services only stop at Kelling Halt towards Sheringham.

Enjoy the day!
 

Sebastian O

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Lots of people helping ruin your day with their camera, and tutting when you dare walk about to enjoy the event, by getting even the slightest bit of your shoulder in their precious photographs.
 

E759

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Not sure if you've been to the NNR before, but there are a few places to avoid the crowds. There's a nice woodlands walk between Weybourne and Kelling Heath. This follows the track closely and at the latter, where the line goes into a cutting onto the heath, there's a lovely viewpoint of the railway and onto the coast. This is also one of the steepest points of the line, so the locos are usually in full chorus.

Something to bear in mind if you do the above walk, services only stop at Kelling Halt towards Sheringham.

Enjoy the day!
Thank you for the suggestion Archie, I may try that; just a bit fatigued with the interior of MK 1 stock now! Not been to the NNR so looked up those stations and I'll try not to get stranded.
 

E759

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Lots of people helping ruin your day with their camera, and tutting when you dare walk about to enjoy the event, by getting even the slightest bit of your shoulder in their precious photographs.
I got tutted at in Gresty Bridge last month! A gathering of twitchers had formed up inside the maintenance facility to capture a precious moment and I walked into the frame. What a calamity that was for them!
 
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Thank you for the suggestion Archie, I may try that; just a bit fatigued with the interior of MK 1 stock now! Not been to the NNR so looked up those stations and I'll try not to get stranded.
No worries. They've got some Mk.1 suburban stock, which is a bit different. A definite must, if it's running, is the 'Quad Arts' LNER teak set, which is beautifully restored.
 

E759

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No worries. They've got some Mk.1 suburban stock, which is a bit different. A definite must, if it's running, is the 'Quad Arts' LNER teak set, which is beautifully restored.
I saw mention of that on their website. If there is First Class accommodation? then I'll head there :) But yes the photos I've just looked at do look like those carriages are the bees knees.

Tried the 1st on the teak set at the NYMR (I think, they are all starting to blur together now to be honest!). Was ok but the armchair was a bit on the firm side.
 

Bevan Price

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If there is insufficient rain in the next fewe weeks, you may find some trains are diesel-hauled or diesel-assisted due to fire risk in the local vegetation. Something similar happened on my last visit (in the 1990s),

70013 "Oliver Cromwell" is scheduled to be the visting loco -- expect the line to be quite busy if the weather is fine.
 

E759

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Location
Sussex
If there is insufficient rain in the next fewe weeks, you may find some trains are diesel-hauled or diesel-assisted due to fire risk in the local vegetation. Something similar happened on my last visit (in the 1990s),

70013 "Oliver Cromwell" is scheduled to be the visting loco -- expect the line to be quite busy if the weather is fine.
Oh! That would be a disappointment to be sure. I like diesels galas but wanted to try something different this time.

Bucketed down here in Sussex after lunch today. Superb weather in Glasgow yesterday by contrast; alas no fire in the boiler of Maid of the Loch yet...
 

E759

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NNR Autumn Steam Gala has now been postponed until October due to the fire risk. Again hugely ironic as we've had another Monsoon in Sussex this morning. The bad news was delivered by telephone from the Railway! How is that for service.

Edit: New gala date 12-14/10/2018
 
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