Compatilibity at SVR gala

[norbitonflyer]

At previous SVR diesel galas I have been to, modern locos (classes 56, 58, 59, 60, 69, 70, 88) have only been able to operate either with air-braked Mk2 or 3 stock (with a 57 on the back to provide hotel power) or double heading with a dual braked diesel such as a Class 20 to act as a translator. Yet at the latest gala (which i did not go to) here is a solo 69 hauling Mark 1 stock. Is this rake dual-braked, and if so why wasn't it used at previous galas? .

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[JonathanH]

Yet here is a 69 hauling Mark 1 stock. Is this rake dual-braked, and if so why wasn't it used at previous galas? .

A set of dual braked coaches was hired from West Coast Railways, specifically for the event. (The same coaches that can't currently be used with paying passengers on the mainline network).

99304-4994-4960-4905-5032-5035

Of course, elsewhere the fact that those coaches aren't being used between Fort William and Mallaig (and on other steam trips) is causing much consternation - https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-affected-bookings.282272/page-6#post-7291297

 

[norbitonflyer]

Seems a win-win - WCR get some revenue and SVR attendees get to hear the haulage. It as a bit of a disappointment back in October when riding behind 58023 on its first run in preservation that all I could hear was the Class 20. (Although that is pleasant enough, that wasn't what I was there for)

I see that a barrier vehicle was still needed for the class 70 though. (see at 3:50)

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[JonathanH]

I see that a barrier vehicle was still needed for the class 70 though. (see at 3:50)

Yes, a class 70 runs the risk of fouling the gangway if connected to such stock.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Yes, a class 70 runs the risk of fouling the gangway if connected to such stock.

yes, I was aware of the reason. It did lead to some problems though, notably that at Bewdley only two passenger-carrying carriages were on the platform. Is there nothing shorter and/or capable of carrying passengers, that is both non-gangwayed and airbraked?

(no criticism of SVR intended - they do a fantastic job at the Galas, and I'm sure if there was a better solution they'd have thought of it)

 

[Forty29]

Yes correct Platform 1 is short so most services going towards Bridgenorth use platform 3.

 

[kje7812]

Yes correct Platform 1 is short so most services going towards Bridgenorth use platform 3.

At galas. On normal days platform 1 is used in preference, it's easier to do from a signalling point of view.

 

[norbitonflyer]

At galas. On normal days platform 1 is used in preference, it's easier to do from a signalling point of view.

2 and 3 used at galas as it is easier for people to switch trains on the island platform. But platform 1 is also used, (usually for shuttles) as there are often three trains there at once, and indeed my ride behind a 70 did arrive at platform 1