NYMR Diesel Gala - 14, 15 & 16 June 2024

[DarloRich]

The NYMR are hosting a diesel gala for the first time in ages on 14, 15 & 16 June 2024.

Visiting Locos
55009 ‘Alycidon’, courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society running as 55013 "The Black Watch". (apparently it will be staying for a few weeks following the gala).
45108 courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway.
D9537 courtesy of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
20189 & 20142 courtesy of Class 20189 Ltd.

Home Fleet Locos:
D7628 'Sybilla'
31128 'Charybdis'
31466
37264
47077 'North Star'

Diesel Gala - 14/06/2024 09:00:00

14-16 June: A 3 day weekend dedicated to diesel locomotives, with FIVE visiting locomotives.

www.nymr.co.uk

I hope to attend on the Friday. Apparently your yearly gift aid return tickets ARE valid for this event. Unsure if Whitby line trains will be included. There is no timetable information yet. Is anyone else going to attend?

 

[31160]

If I'm reading this right. £49.50 for a day rover seams ambitious

 

[matt]

There are no trains to Whitby for the gala. I'm thinking of going as I've still got some time left on my 12 month ticket from last year.

 

[DarloRich]

If I'm reading this right. £49.50 for a day rover seams ambitious

it is £49.50 for a day rover AND unlimited returns for 12 months.

There are no trains to Whitby for the gala.

thanks - assume with the teak set out of action they need all the carriages they can get

 

[matt]

thanks - assume with the teak set out of action they need all the carriages they can get

Yes that seems to be the reason with a bus instead to Whitby.

 

[renegademaster]

£49.50 for a day rover AND unlimited returns for 12 months.

That's not going to get people from the other side of the country who will likely visit only once over. Even bluebell which can be a ripoff won't charge you a minimum of £50

 

[DarloRich]

That's not going to get people from the other side of the country who will likely visit only once over. Even bluebell which can be a ripoff won't charge you a minimum of £50

well don't go then. However, it is worth noting it is no different in price from a usual day.

I just paid £60 odd quid for a 2 day SVR rover. They didn't offer me a years free travel for that payment. Here £50 gets you a three day rover AND unlimited travel for a year.

It doesn't seem that outrageous tbh.

 

[renegademaster]

well don't go then. However, it is worth noting it is no different in price from a usual day.

I just paid £60 odd quid for a 2 day SVR rover. They didn't offer me a years free travel for that payment. Here £50 gets you a three day rover AND unlimited travel for a year.

It doesn't seem that outrageous tbh.

It's not outrageous with that framing, it is when you realise they have no single day fare. Its not like most gift aid grabs where itsnt more than a typical day ticket, just with an extra tacked on most people won't use. While Saturday will probably be packed, Friday will likely still have space to sell more tickets

 

[kje7812]

I'm probably going on the Saturday. Depending on the timetable, I might try getting the train to Grosmont rather than Train/Bus to Pickering, as I would be getting the train back after 8pm rather than having to get the bus at 7.

 

[50002Superb]

Pretty sure I paid £35/£36 at the GCR Gala so being priced at £49, plus travel costs rules me out.

 

[HST43257]

Worth explaining as people don’t seem to get it

£49.50 is the price for a 12 month pass at the NYMR. This is the only ticket available on any day of travel, so you pay a lot for your first day of travel, then you’ve got a whole year for free, except the steam gala.

So while it isn’t very cheap for 1 day, you pay nothing extra for a 2nd or 3rd day. £49.50 flat rate for the entire weekend and the entire year

 

[renegademaster]

Worth explaining as people don’t seem to get it

£49.50 is the price for a 12 month pass at the NYMR. This is the only ticket available on any day of travel, so you pay a lot for your first day of travel, then you’ve got a whole year for free, except the steam gala.

So while it isn’t very cheap for 1 day, you pay nothing extra for a 2nd or 3rd day. £49.50 flat rate for the entire weekend and the entire year

I think everyone understands that. Doesn't make it any easier to shell out £50 if you don't live in the North East and probably won't go again that year. They know this, at the economics of these schemes assume people probably aren't coming again otherwise they'd loose out on a lot of revenue.

 

[31160]

Worth explaining as people don’t seem to get it

£49.50 is the price for a 12 month pass at the NYMR. This is the only ticket available on any day of travel, so you pay a lot for your first day of travel, then you’ve got a whole year for free, except the steam gala.

So while it isn’t very cheap for 1 day, you pay nothing extra for a 2nd or 3rd day. £49.50 flat rate for the entire weekend and the entire year

Yeah I see you live in York so that would make sense but I live in Somerset, so if a day rover for the gala was say £25-30 maybe but knowing you can go back for the rest of the year for £50 for me is utterly useless

 

[HST43257]

Yeah I see you live in York so that would make sense but I live in Somerset, so if a day rover for the gala was say £25-30 maybe but knowing you can go back for the rest of the year for £50 for me is utterly useless

I think everyone understands that. Doesn't make it any easier to shell out £50 if you don't live in the North East and probably won't go again that year. They know this, at the economics of these schemes assume people probably aren't coming again otherwise they'd loose out on a lot of revenue.

Well yes but if you’re further away and coming to Yorkshire are you really there on a day trip? Instantly it’s £24.75 per day for 2 days or £16.50 for 3.

 

[kje7812]

Last year's steam gala was similarly priced and that didn't give you a 12 month pass. Still a busy event.
I've already brought a pass this year so will probably take the opportunity to sample this event.

 

[HST43257]

Last year's steam gala was similarly priced and that didn't give you a 12 month pass. Still a busy event.
I've already brought a pass this year so will probably take the opportunity to sample this event.

Steam gala, even this year, remains the primary event of the year, and that‘s extortionate usually to be fair

 

[50002Superb]

Worth explaining as people don’t seem to get it

£49.50 is the price for a 12 month pass at the NYMR. This is the only ticket available on any day of travel, so you pay a lot for your first day of travel, then you’ve got a whole year for free, except the steam gala.

So while it isn’t very cheap for 1 day, you pay nothing extra for a 2nd or 3rd day. £49.50 flat rate for the entire weekend and the entire year

We get it, but there doesn’t need to be a twelve month pass, the GCR example for their excellent diesel gala supports this.

 

[DarloRich]

Yeah I see you live in York so that would make sense but I live in Somerset, so if a day rover for the gala was say £25-30 maybe but knowing you can go back for the rest of the year for £50 for me is utterly useless

You couldn't make an effort to go back? I live in Milton Keynes but will be going. The money I save on the heritage travel can be spent on accommodation. £150 for 3 nights is a decent hotel in anyone's budget!

We get it, but there doesn’t need to be a twelve month pass, the GCR example for their excellent diesel gala supports this.

There are always moans about price. If it was £7 posters here would complain. As I said above:

• I paid £60 odd quid for a 2 day rover for the SVR gala plus travel costs.
• If I go back to the SVR again this year I will be paying £32 per trip with no free pass.
• The GCR is £23 per trip but doesn't give free travel.
• KWVR gala the weekend after is £58 for a two day rover ( in advance) with no free travel.

To be clear, you wont go for a £50x3 day rover ticket but you would go for a £30 one day rover ticket?

it is when you realise they have no single day fare. Its not like most gift aid grabs where itsnt more than a typical day ticket, just with an extra tacked on most people won't use.

it is the same fare they charged me when I went in March. Personally I think it is pretty good offer of £50 for almost unlimited travel for a year on one of the premier heritage lines.

I don't live anywhere near the NYMR but will go back a couple of times this year. Why wouldn't you if you could travel the line as often as you wanted that weekend for free and have a trip away to one of the nicest parts of the country? Obviously if you live closer than I do you can really smash the free travel but I still think it is a fantastic offer.

 

[50002Superb]

To be clear, you wont go for a £50x3 day rover ticket but you would go for a £30 one day rover ticket?

Correct.

I would rather have two one day rover tickets at different heritage railways at £30 each rather than £50 for an annual pass to one.

My time for these things is limited so I try and spread it about.

As a result the approach by the NYMR will ensure that I simply never visit them while that pricing is in place.

Some might say that’s my loss but there’s plenty to enjoy elsewhere and the irony is that I had such a great time at the GCR Diesel Gala that I will probably visit again this calendar year.

 

[DarloRich]

As a result the approach by the NYMR will ensure that I simply never visit them while that pricing is in place.

that seems so disproportionate. Why take such a firm stance over something so minor? How do you develop such a logic? I WILL pay £60 for 2 visits to a preserved railway BUT WONT pay £50 for unlimited visits to a preserved railway?

I honestly don't understand posters here.

 

[50002Superb]

Because I won’t pay £50 for one visit and that is all I would intend for it to be.

It’s not that complicated. You just need to attempt to see the other point of view.

I suspect that there is a decent market of people like me.

 

[DarloRich]

You just need to attempt to see the other point of view.

I understand your point however, I just don't understand how you take such a firm stance as will "simply never visit".

My view is : £50 is a lot BUT I get free travel thereafter. How can I make another visit this year to get better value? Perhaps it is mindset thing. Going twice means I am winning. Going three times means they are almost paying me!

BTW: I live in Milton Keynes. I don't have a car. My time is also limited. If I can get there I bet you could get to Pickering twice in a year. You might even enjoy it!

Anyway: each to thier own.

 

[theblackwatch]

Because I won’t pay £50 for one visit and that is all I would intend for it to be.

It’s not that complicated. You just need to attempt to see the other point of view.

I suspect that there is a decent market of people like me.

Out of interest, how much would you pay (as you won't pay £49.50 either)? if you'd rocked up at the Severn Valley last weekend for its diesel gala, a ticket there was over £40.

 

[43066]

I would rather have two one day rover tickets at different heritage railways at £30 each rather than £50 for an annual pass to one.

But the choice is more likely to be a £50 annual pass or a similarly priced day ticket.

Because I won’t pay £50 for one visit and that is all I would intend for it to be.

In which case I suspect they don’t want your business, as plenty of others will pay. Still others will be glad of an annual pass allowing return visits (as @matt upthread has noted they will benefit from).

I honestly don't understand posters here.

Me neither. There was a similar thread about the London Transport museum recently who have a similar annual pass policy, and are wildly successful, so clearly the concerns expressed on here aren’t widespread. It’s just so bizarre that people would actually complain less if they were simply charged the same price for one visit!

 

[50002Superb]

But the choice is more likely to be a £50 annual pass or a similarly priced day ticket.



In which case I suspect they don’t want your business, as plenty of others will pay. Still others will be glad of an annual pass allowing return visits (as @matt upthread has noted they will benefit from).



Me neither. There was a similar thread about the London Transport museum recently who have a similar annual pass policy, and are wildly successful, so clearly the concerns expressed on here aren’t widespread. It’s just so bizarre that people would actually complain less if they were simply charged the same price for one visit!

That’s fine with me, there are plenty that do.

I’m surprised that Heritage Railways can be so selective as to whose patronage they want.

As I say, I suspect the market that elect not go for the same reason isn’t too shabby. I’ve not evidence for that. Just my opinion

 

[renegademaster]

You couldn't make an effort to come back

Considering it costs about another £50 in national rail fares and £100 in an accommodation (the limited service on the whitby line doesn't make it as easy to do as a day trip as some of the other northern ones)it won't be something I'm rushing to do just to make an overly expensive ticket make sense

museum recently who have a similar annual pass policy

The London transport museum pass was in line with the cost of the day tickets of other attractions, this isn't the same situation

 

[DarloRich]

The London transport museum pass was in line with the cost of the day tickets of other attractions, this isn't the same situation

if you go on a normal day the ticket is the same price, with the same terms, as for this gala weekend. It is a lot of money for a steam train trip but the sweetener is the chance to have other visits for free.

I am sure you can buy a Grosmont > Goathland ticket on a normal day if you just want a little chuffing.

Considering it costs about another £50 in fares and £100 in an accommodation, it won't be something I'm rushing to do just to make an expensive ticket make sense

I don't disagree - I simply say I would try to make a decent weekend away with at least 1 free steam train trip to Whitby thrown in. The chips when you get there are chargeable mind

 

[renegademaster]

but the sweetener is the chance to have other visits for free.

The sweetener is pretty irrelevant and they know it or they wouldn't offer it. The bet they are making is that you won't actually use it or they would be loosing money
I suspect they think they have to charge a lot to cover their payments to network rail

 

[31160]

Well I was thinking of going to the gala on the Friday and do a tour on the Saturday, absolutely zero chance of that now, I'll keep my £50 and the NYMR can keep their seat, everybody's happy

 

[The exile]

I think everyone understands that. Doesn't make it any easier to shell out £50 if you don't live in the North East and probably won't go again that year. They know this, at the economics of these schemes assume people probably aren't coming again otherwise they'd loose out on a lot of revenue.

You only lose out on revenue from people who would have come back anyway or if the number of people making “free” return trips is so great that they crowd out “payers”. The first group will still get you revenue from catering etc and may well be accompanied by new “payers”.