KWVR NEWS AND UPDATES

YorkshireBear · 20 Jun 2026

xotGD said:
A very good day at the gala today. Very well attended.

Both 37s were in fine form.

Interesting that they adopted wristband approach to ticketing; it was still normal pieces at the steam gala in the spring.

Just the one niggle - having a coach party of normals turn up on a busy gala Saturday was not good planning. Compounded by staff trying to turf folk out of their seats to make way for them. But it got sorted in the end.

Hopefully 37025 will make it next time.

Yes the group booking was what can only be described as a balls up (I used stronger words!!!) and will hopefully not happen again. We were left under no illusion as to what passengers thought of us.

Wristbands are easier to police ticketless travel on busy days and follows their successful use on beer and music festivals.

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Gwr12345 · 20 Jun 2026

Yes, the coach party was badly managed—even if a full coach was marked out for them that'd be better. Coach parties are a good steady stream of income and good relations are a must, so I can see the reasoning behind not saying no.
There were some blokes in my carriage who when they were looking for seats lept up to give theirs under the promise of a free pint

There seemed to be some private security on the trains as well - a sad sign of the times I guess.

norbitonflyer · 20 Jun 2026

YorkshireBear said:
Wristbands are easier to police ticketless travel on busy days and follows their successful use on beer and music festivals.

been normal practice on the five of the six galas I've been to (four Severn Valley and one Heritage Shunters Trust - the exception was the on the "other" SVR - the Spa Valley)

xotGD · 20 Jun 2026

norbitonflyer said:
been normal practice on the five of the six galas I've been to (four Severn Valley and one Heritage Shunters Trust - the exception was the on the "other" SVR - the Spa Valley)

The Severn Valley is the only place I've experienced it previously.

Falcon1200 · 21 Jun 2026

YorkshireBear said:
Wristbands are easier to police ticketless travel on busy days and follows their successful use on beer and music festivals.

Indeed, and the reasons for their use are understandable, but they can be a nuisance to remove! So much so that I now take a pair of scissors with me to galas....

Forty29 · 21 Jun 2026

The Gloucester Warwickshire Railway had wristbands at last year's diesel gala

Ianigsy · 21 Jun 2026

Not the first time I’ve known the coach party issue happen - on one occasion it was a Vintage Trains Sunday and the coach party were given all the Victorian coaches, pushing everybody else into a Mark 1 suburban brake and defeating the object of marketing it as a vintage train day. Still, not as bad as when a coach party barged onto a train at Settle brandishing supposed seat reservations and turfing out passengers who weren’t given the opportunity to reserve a seat!

I remember one diesel gala where a steam shuttle between Keighley and Ingrow was tried to placate anybody wanting steam.

xotGD · 21 Jun 2026

Ianigsy said:
Not the first time I’ve known the coach party issue happen - on one occasion it was a Vintage Trains Sunday and the coach party were given all the Victorian coaches, pushing everybody else into a Mark 1 suburban brake and defeating the object of marketing it as a vintage train day. Still, not as bad as when a coach party barged onto a train at Settle brandishing supposed seat reservations and turfing out passengers who weren’t given the opportunity to reserve a seat!

I remember one diesel gala where a steam shuttle between Keighley and Ingrow was tried to placate anybody wanting steam.

I always feel a bit sorry for normals who inadvertently turn up at a heritage railway in the middle of a diesel gala.

Firstly, not a kettle to be seen.

Secondly, trains wedged out with cranks.

Thirdly, premium fares.

On the other hand, there's always a chance that the sight and sound of a few big diesels thrashing away might get them hooked.

David Burrows · 21 Jun 2026

Looking at the various KWVR webcams over the last few days, I wondered whether there was an ongoing competition to see how much of people's body they can get out of an ordinary droplight or how far heads and arms with cameras or phones attached can be put out of other windows, presumbly to see/hear these strange diesel powered machines. These competitions don't seem to have as many competitores on steam days.

Peter Sarf · 21 Jun 2026

David Burrows said:
Looking at the various KWVR webcams over the last few days, I wondered whether there was an ongoing competition to see how much of people's body they can get out of an ordinary droplight or how far heads and arms with cameras or phones attached can be put out of other windows, presumbly to see/hear these strange diesel powered machines. These competitions don't seem to have as many competitores on steam days.

In my experience steam engines are designed to put out the odd bit of burning hot ember thus keeping everyone sensibly covered (ie inside). At the Bluebell Railway last August Myself and Granddaughter even saw a burning ember land on the seat opposite to me !. It went out eventually but I do wonder if a cigarette has been blamed in the past !. We both got a few bits in out eyes and I inhaled one - that is without hanging out the window !.

We did keep the windows open most of the time but ended up sat facing backwards in the compartment so as to reduce the risk to ourselves. Granddaughter quickly understood the whistle might mean tunnel in which case prepare to close windows !.
All part off the experience.

Being brought up on a diet of diesel trains I fail to see the fuss about a bit of clagg !.

Iskra · 21 Jun 2026

Steam galas tend to be held at times of the year with more unpleasant weather too, which probably keeps people more inside the carriages.

xotGD · 21 Jun 2026

The young and exuberant are more likely to be into diesels than steam.

It is good to see another generation of cranks coming through. And people enjoying themselves.

amahy · 21 Jun 2026

xotGD said:
I always feel a bit sorry for normals who inadvertently turn up at a heritage railway in the middle of a diesel gala.

Firstly, not a kettle to be seen.

Secondly, trains wedged out with cranks.

Thirdly, premium fares.

On the other hand, there's always a chance that the sight and sound of a few big diesels thrashing away might get them hooked.

Fortunately, KWVR still offer ordinary return tickets during their galas. Unfortunate that the same can’t be said for some other preserved lines!

xotGD · 21 Jun 2026

Looks like there was a bit of a Brucie Bonus with 37401 today.

HertiageFan · 22 Jun 2026

xotGD said:
Looks like there was a bit of a Brucie Bonus with 37401 today.

How many services did it run?

Ailsa_Craig · 22 Jun 2026

HertiageFan said:
How many services did it run?

Just the one, the 1805,being detached at Haworth

yorkshirerail · 22 Jun 2026

Any update on when the other locos are going to leave the railway thanks

Tobytrain10 · 22 Jun 2026

0A55 was cancelled this morning, does anyone know why?

neil65 · 22 Jun 2026

Final day of the KWVR Diesel Gala, with it being a Sunday i couldn't get there till 10:40am due to no TPX trains running, just replacement buses from Huddersfield to Leeds.
55009 Alycidon complete with a young lads homemade nameplate 'Thrash-O-Meter! attached approaching Haworth