Class 37 65th Birthday Gala

[Harpo]

I could only get there for one day at late notice as it only became clear less than a week out that it was 37s on everything and definitely more than 3/4 of them. (Over to marketing.)

I saw absolutely zero problems and had a brilliant day. 264 was epic and others varied by driving style as much as anything, varying between crowd pleasers and one character best left on super-cautious wheelskate moves.

My only concern was some rough handling with one driver repeatedly powering up while the ageing stock’s vacuum brakes were still audibly rubbing on the front coach, never mind the back. I’ve seen train divisions created that way and would hate to see it on a busy pres line.

Maybe with a bit more planning, a single train multi-loco day before or after the gala (as with last years excellent 2x25s) would have been a relaxed crowd pleaser and extra revenue?

Great event. Next stop? A Hymeks gala? Please!

 

[D365]

I could only get there for one day at late notice as it only became clear less than a week out that it was 37s on everything and definitely more than 3/4 of them. (Over to marketing.)

I’m not sure this was ever in doubt?

 

[Harpo]

I’m not sure this was ever in doubt?

‘Up to 10’, as per the official website one week out was only certainty of a number between the 3 then confirmed and ten, and nothing official ever stated 100% 37s with no other classes of loco.

I can only put my faith in what the SVR’s official website confirms without doubt. Otherwise I might have arrived and left on a railtour with 37403 and also had 418 amongst the ‘up to 15’ 37s that Railways Illustrated were told.

Nonetheless, a brilliant event that I wished I could have done more at.

 

[DarloRich]

I was in the front coach of almost every run during the two days I was there. I didn't witness any trouble.

I saw absolutely zero problems and had a brilliant day.

A lot depends on which day you can go. This time I could only attend on the Saturday. I usually got for the Friday as it is a much better crowd I find.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Great event. Next stop? A Hymeks gala? Please!

They had a "Magnificent Severn" event in 2023, which was to have including three visiting Hymeks (the resident Warship, Teddy Bear and two Westerns making up the seven hydraulics) . Unfortunately two of the Hymeks were no-shows after the West Somerset Railway had to ground them with brake problems.

 

[Tetragon213]

Great event. Next stop? A Hymeks gala? Please!

Any chance of a HST Gala in the future, perhaps?

 

[Peter749]

‘Up to 10’, as per the official website one week out was only certainty of a number between the 3 then confirmed and ten, and nothing official ever stated 100% 37s with no other classes of loco.

Shame you had not seen this thread as it was updated through the week before as SVR announced the locos coming - look at previous posts

I presume you are not on Facebook as the SVR posted on their page but the people on this forum kept us up to date
The first post on page three of this thread has the number and numbers of the locos

The Class 20 was just there as a converter between the Air Braked 37s and the Vacuum Braked coaches

 

[kje7812]

Whilst there was more bother than at the autumn steam gala (ASG), I think I had a better time working this weekend. Probably more to do with not doing a nearly 12 hour afternoon/evening/night turn in the rain because of late running like I did on the Saturday of the ASG.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

37248 is staying at the SVR until Saturday before it goes home. 37518 and the 40 leave tomorrow bound for the ELR.

 

[D6700]

Details of the bonus running day with D6948 this coming Saturday:

https://svr.co.uk/event/mega-mileage-day-with-class-37-d6948/

 

[kje7812]

The latest newsletter reports 4,100 passengers.