I was there yesterday and generally it was pretty good although being busy but not super packed helped, I certainly didn't see any thickhit behaviour personally
That’s good to hear.
I was there yesterday and generally it was pretty good although being busy but not super packed helped, I certainly didn't see any thickhit behaviour personally
I heavily doubt people who have differing views on CDL and window hanging are the ones who get violent over someone getting in the way of their photos.Normally the same ones that sag CDL isn't needed and window hanging should be allowed because they "know what they're doing".
Two instances that did leave a sour taste wereAs much as I hate having to again be delivering some more negative news, but I feel it's relevant to mention that one of the maroon Mk1s has had a window smashed on one of the doors this evening - I'm not 100% sure about what has caused the smash
Sadly the behaviour at these events seems to be getting steadily worse, as with so many areas of life post Covid. It’s a pity that those who supposedly share a common interest can’t play nicely.
Friday was a nicely busy but good day. Behaviour was good, few idiots and most of the youth team prospects were at school! I covered the visiting locos on the Friday when they were quieter and had a really good day out.I was there yesterday and generally it was pretty good although being busy but not super packed helped, I certainly didn't see any thickhit behaviour personally
From what I’m told the guard accidentally smashed it when shutting the windows and locking the doors.As much as I hate having to again be delivering some more negative news, but I feel it's relevant to mention that one of the maroon Mk1s has had a window smashed on one of the doors this evening - I'm not 100% sure about what has caused the smash
Yes.. great day on saturday.From what I’m told the guard accidentally smashed it when shutting the windows and locking the doors.
The October diesel event, which runs without the modern traction and more dependent on the home fleet is possibly more up your street then than the May event which is supported by the freight companies.Sorry, but I didn't enjoy this as much as previous events. Too many locos, too many post-1994 liveries, too many air-conditioned coaches, too many tickers, too many wannabe photographers, too many shouting muppets, too many swaggering, self-assured egotists, the beerex ran too early and the bizarre but admittedly resilient timetable seemed to lapse into the Kidderminster to Bewdley Show at certain times of the day.
Was on the 73/33 combo crush on SaturdaySorry, but I didn't enjoy this as much as previous events. Too many locos, too many post-1994 liveries, too many air-conditioned coaches, too many tickers, too many wannabe photographers, too many shouting muppets, too many swaggering, self-assured egotists, the beerex ran too early and the bizarre but admittedly resilient timetable seemed to lapse into the Kidderminster to Bewdley Show at certain times of the day.
With all the above I'm not surprised that there were outbreaks of violence. I was at Hampton Loade on Saturday afternoon waiting for the 1515 departure from Bridgnorth (33+73) when we were informed that it had been delayed owing to an incident to which the police had been called. And when the train did eventually turn up I gave it a miss because it was stupidly overloaded.
And three of those were the HST. The rest were in the airbraked set, which also included at least two with natural ventilation.There were only six air conditioned coaches in use.
If you don't like it, don't go. It's not like it wasn't advertised in advance what was running, and none of your rant about photographers/muppets/egotists is new behaviour.Sorry, but I didn't enjoy this as much as previous events. Too many locos, too many post-1994 liveries, too many air-conditioned coaches, too many tickers, too many wannabe photographers, too many shouting muppets, too many swaggering, self-assured egotists, the beerex ran too early and the bizarre but admittedly resilient timetable seemed to lapse into the Kidderminster to Bewdley Show at certain times of the day.
I'd debate the six aircons! My only really gripe about the gala - which was well organised - was with the air brake set. The two aircon TSOs had no aircon which made them pretty rancid. This isn't the first time that the SVR has been let down by their stock provider. If they pay for hiring that set then that is really not good enough from LSL.The October diesel event, which runs without the modern traction and more dependent on the home fleet is possibly more up your street then than the May event which is supported by the freight companies.
There are clearly different preferences for diesel events and catering for people who don't want the more modern angle and those who do is always going to lead to compromises.
There were only six air conditioned coaches in use.
Never double track, though most of the original structures (1860s) were built wide enough for doubletrack. North of Bewdley has a wide trackbed for a bit due to the former line to Tenbury Well, and there's extra space around Foley Park from the old sidings there.The SVR staff seem to take a light touch with the rowdier elements, but there are warnings that ORR may insist on window bars if windowhanging leads to a tragedy - that said, vegetation seems to be kept further back than on National Rail (was the SVR originally double track?) and the chance of being hit by a passing train is minimal on a single track line. Maybe a suitable sanction would be to confiscate the perpetrator's wristband and make them leave the train, preferably at somewhere like Northwood or Country Park Halt!
Bewdley was particularly crowded but still good natured. With the airbraked set terminating in platform 1 but all departures going from the island platform, everyone had to cross the bridge to either continue towards Arley and beyond, or return to Kidderminster. Not helped by only two or three carriages actually being on the platform - the first two vehicles were the loco (two when it was the Railadvanture pair) and the barrier vehicle which was necessitated by the class 70 not being able to couple to a gangwayed vehicle. (Possibly the barrier vehicle could have remained coupled to the 70 rather than to the rake when other locos were operating the airbraked set?) And despite notices asking people not to, there were people stopping on the bridge to chat.
Having being in charge of shutting windows on stock at the end of the day, if was a MK 2a in my case I shut the window up, not slammed, and it decided enough of this window thing and just cracked and kept cracking so it can happen accidentallyFrom what I’m told the guard accidentally smashed it when shutting the windows and locking the doors.
That explains the very generous clearances, especially the tunnel and bridges, and consequently why windowhangers get away with antics that could have fatal consequences elsewhere. The event programme does warn of the possible consequences of such behaviour, but I saw no staff tackling the individuals indulging in such activity even when, as I mentioned above, it interfered with the signalling between guard and driver.Never double track, though most of the original structures (1860s) were built wide enough for doubletrack.
I don't think this would have helped much, as most people at Bewdley (including me) seemed to either want to get an earlier train back to Bewdley, or carry on towards Bridgnorth.This to me was by far in a way the worse part of the gala, there must be a way either to allow people to stay on the set when it goes out and come back, because passengers are allowed on other top and tail workings and all the track involved is used by passenger trains all day,its not as if it goes into a siding or something and in my opinion having that many people rammed onto the footbridge at one time is easily the most dangerous thing I saw all the time I was there
i just dont get why people cant step into a compartment or away from the window for a few seconds to let people past. Also: take off your back pack if standing in a doorway or corridor. It makes your vastness less vast!Now said chap was politely told to calm down & enjoy himself but if he’d not been so pig headed in the first place & just moved to the seating area it wouldn’t have happened but no, he let everyone (around 50 people) struggle past him
You have to get to the other end of the the line. No real problems there with choice of services. You have to plan properly on the Saturday. I have learnt that having got a bit exasperated with the Kidderminster end of the line on a Saturdaythe bizarre but admittedly resilient timetable seemed to lapse into the Kidderminster to Bewdley Show at certain times of the day.
the type of carriage led to violence? there were only 2/3 air con coaches on the Bewdley shuttle ( needed for the visiting locos?) and three in the HST set. Quite avoidable if that is an issue.With all the above I'm not surprised that there were outbreaks of violence
Yet i was on that train and had a seat. Plenty of space to be had away from the first 2 coaches.I was at Hampton Loade on Saturday afternoon waiting for the 1515 departure from Bridgnorth (33+73) when we were informed that it had been delayed owing to an incident to which the police had been called
I was on the later class 59 run and while coach one was rammed with wibblers i had a lovely seat in a half filled carriage near the back. You have to plan properly. It can be quite mad on those runs early in the day. Aim for the later one and enjoy a wider day. If possible do 2 days so you can cross of the spicy visiting loco when the crowds are thinner.Always fun being muscled away from a chance to board the ram packed FL 59 but there we go.
At the risk of labouring a point: spend the Saturday at the other end of the line. Very civilised. Avoid the Saturday morning trains on the Bewdley shuttle as they are rammed with people who seem to have lost thier minds!the 1200 kiddy to Bewdley on the Saturday was the least fun I've had on a train in pres,way way over filled
I think people are afraid "their" window will get taken over,i just dont get why people cant step into a compartment or away from the window for a few seconds to let people past.
They need to be air-braked. If they are also aircon they need an ETS-fitted loco (which most of the visitors were not, hence the need for the 37/4)there were only 2/3 air con coaches on the Bewdley shuttle ( needed for the visiting locos?)
Thanks for clarifying the difference between the two events - I look forward to attending the October one. It'll be interesting to see if the KWVR diesel gala is an 'edited highlights' version of the May SVR gala like it was last year. If so, that's another one I can potentially cross off the list in the future.The October diesel event, which runs without the modern traction and more dependent on the home fleet is possibly more up your street then than the May event which is supported by the freight companies.
Thank you for your friendly and helpful response. Or something like that.If you don't like it, don't go. It's not like it wasn't advertised in advance what was running, and none of your rant about photographers/muppets/egotists is new behaviour.
You've got me there. Good shot sir!the type of carriage led to violence?
Can't say I ever saw a Yeti on the train but being at Hampton Loade I was by nature at the rear, and all vestibules plus the guard's area were full.Yet i was on that train and had a seat. Plenty of space to be had away from the first 2 coaches.
Well the 69 doesn't hold any appeal for me, but two 50s, two 37s and a Western do, so I'll be attending.It'll be interesting to see if the KWVR diesel gala is an 'edited highlights' version of the May SVR gala like it was last year. If so, that's another one I can potentially cross off the list in the future.
You should have walked a bit further. There was only me and another chap in a compo. Loads of room!I was by nature at the rear, and all vestibules plus the guard's area were full.
If it is 60009 it is painted like a Western thing ( and looks pretty smart)Well the 69 doesn't hold any appeal for me,
It is a fantastic event. They are very clever in making it hard to get everything in one dayOverall, I thought this was a fantastic gala, the obvious drawback being the sheer number of visiting locos, plus their availability, meaning I couldn’t do it all in one hit and had to go back but definitely worth it
A friendly reminder Beer and trains go together incredibly well, don't they! For most people it causes no issues.
If, however, you're one of the minority whose standards of behaviour plummet after a few beers, please consider your actions. We do have security staff on board our trains this weekend, and will not tolerate abuse towards our staff, volunteers, or visitors.
We want everyone to have a great Spring Diesel Festival and anyone unable to follow these rules will be removed from the railway. Thank you for your cooperation.