SVR Spring Diesel Bash

[DarloRich]

Visited the above Gala over the weekend. Very good operation, lots of interesting running. Trains very busy on Saturday but much quieter on Sunday. Silly nazi style salutes and shouting mindless nonsense out of the windows seemed much reduced.

nice to see one of the new 69's (69005) in use along with a 68. The home fleet were well represented and there were some interesting visitors (44004 (D4), Class 46 46046 (D182), 33012) so it was a good day out. There were also a pair of GBRF 73's in use. The promised 67 didn't show up and there was no class 20 but that wasn't really a loss.

I think my favourite was 33012 that looked fantastic.

 

[peteb]

Agreed it was a great gala, trains packed out on Friday afternoon.

 

[Tony2]

I did 3 days Thursday to Saturday and thoroughly enyoyed it. Booked way back when only the 2 peaks were announced, and was pleased to see all the other guest announcements afterwards which were a bonus!

Clayton and class 69 were highlights for me, 69 and 33 pairing in the same livery was impressive.

The SVR we’re doing shed visits around Kidderminster so I booked up for Saturday. I only found this out by chance when a group were leaving the shed, as these were not advertised as far as I could see. Locos not otherwise visible included the hydrogen H3802, 12099, 33108, 37308, d821, inter city 50031, 50033, 50044, d1013, and steam 686, 7325 and 45110. The guides were most helpful and on hand to answer any questions.

Taw Valley in purple was on display next to the station at Bewdley and looked…. well interesting! New Saint rebuild 2999 Lady of Legend was placed to view at Bridgnorth next to new build 3F 82045 and Highley engine house with all the locos on display was well worth a visit. Was surprised to see the Parry People mover prototype 999900 now no 12 at Highley. So plenty to keep anyone busy on a visit.

How will the SVR top this event next time!

 

[The_Train]

My first ever visit to the SVR (on the Friday) and I really enjoyed it (although it got a bit nervy towards the end when the return full run behind the 68 was held at Highley owing to a failed train in front, meaning a number of us were counting down the minutes to final available departure from the Kiddy mainline).

Despite that, I have to say that the 50s sounded brilliant throughout and the 14s worked well on the shuttles but the star of the show for me was 31466 - was in fine fettle throughout!

On a side note, I'm currently trying to find the mileage between stations for the SVR - I have found a document online but my tiny brain is struggling to make it out so was wondering if anyone on here has the info?

 

[RPI]

I went on the Thursday and was a great day, particularly enjoyed a couple of trips behind Western Champion.

 

[alexl92]

The SVR seem to do spectacular diesel galas. I'm not particularly a diesel fan but I'd love to go to an SVR bash one day. Travelling in GWR, LMS and LNER stock would be a bonus too.

 

[P Binnersley]

On a side note, I'm currently trying to find the mileage between stations for the SVR - I have found a document online but my tiny brain is struggling to make it out so was wondering if anyone on here has the info?

Mileages are given on the SVR Wiki

Bewdley to Kidderminster is complicated as there are two changes of mileage and one change of direction of counting!

The distances are:
Kidderminster-Bewdley 3m41c
Bewdley-Arley 3m46c
Arley-Highley 2m26c
Highley-Hampton Loade 2m13c
Hampton Loade - Bridgnorth 4m41c

Total 16 miles 7 chains

(one chain = 22 yards, 80 chains = 1 mile).

Kidderminster is from the buffer stops. All others should be station mid-points.
Mile posts 137 to 138 occur either side of Bewdley station.

 

[The_Train]

Mileages are given on the SVR Wiki

Bewdley to Kidderminster is complicated as there are two changes of mileage and one change of direction of counting!

The distances are:
Kidderminster-Bewdley 3m41c
Bewdley-Arley 3m46c
Arley-Highley 2m26c
Highley-Hampton Loade 2m13c
Hampton Loade - Bridgnorth 4m41c

Total 16 miles 7 chains

(one chain = 22 yards, 80 chains = 1 mile).

Kidderminster is from the buffer stops. All others should be station mid-points.
Mile posts 137 to 138 occur either side of Bewdley station.

Thanks very much for that, much appreciated

 

[satisnek]

A very enjoyable event, good to see that others thought the same. The noticeable lack of trade stands (except at Kidder) detracted from the 'gala atmosphere' in my view, in fact in some places it didn't seem like a gala weekend at all. Perhaps there's a reason for this?

 

[birchesgreen]

The SVR we’re doing shed visits around Kidderminster so I booked up for Saturday. I only found this out by chance when a group were leaving the shed, as these were not advertised as far as I could see.

Yes only thing i saw was a tiny sign tucked away at Kidderminster Town station (which i saw when i was leaving!)

I went on the Thursday, very good event as always. The two Peaks were magnificent.

 

[DarloRich]

A very enjoyable event, good to see that others thought the same. The noticeable lack of trade stands (except at Kidder) detracted from the 'gala atmosphere' in my view, in fact in some places it didn't seem like a gala weekend at all. Perhaps there's a reason for this?

Personally that doesn't really bother me. I am not interested in stuff like that but there were only a couple of stands so I can see how that might be a bit limited if you are wanting to buy things.

The catering was also pretty poor but i guess covid meant staff were lost and havent come back.

 

[StripeyNick]

Personally that doesn't really bother me. I am not interested in stuff like that but there were only a couple of stands so I can see how that might be a bit limited if you are wanting to buy things.

The catering was also pretty poor but i guess covid meant staff were lost and havent come back.

We found the catering was the only disappointment of our day there. We got to Bewdley around 2pm and went to the cafe for a simple ham roll but they'd stopped doing food by then.....that's a bit early for a gala if you ask me

 

[satisnek]

Personally that doesn't really bother me. I am not interested in stuff like that but there were only a couple of stands so I can see how that might be a bit limited if you are wanting to buy things.

The catering was also pretty poor but i guess covid meant staff were lost and havent come back.

I can't say I buy much from these stands either, but I feel that having something on the island platform at Bewdley, on Platform 1 at Bridgnorth, in the area next to the live steam model railway at Hampton Loade, etc. adds to the atmosphere and makes all the difference between a gala and a normal operating weekend. Or am I getting things mixed up with the big Autumn steam gala where they have this stuff?

You're right about the catering, the on-train catering was conspicuous by its absence. I didn't see a trolley come down any train, and unlike those on the national network I do occasionally succumb to temptation and buy the odd bottle of beer...

But it's a long road to recovery, we're nowhere near the end of it yet and this event has surely pushed the SVR a good distance further along it

 

[patrick.hearn3]

We found the catering was the only disappointment of our day there. We got to Bewdley around 2pm and went to the cafe for a simple ham roll but they'd stopped doing food by then.....that's a bit early for a gala if you ask me

The SVR (like everyone else) is struggling to recruit catering and hospitality staff. On train buffet are volunteers, and the Bewdley buffet is open because it is being staffed as far as is possible by the volunteer on-train 'Venturer' dining train team. Not ideal, but symptomatic of the current wider position