Severn valley railway news and updates.

[Merle Haggard]

I realise that this is only tangentially involved with 'news'; but can anyone say what the "A.T.O.C." pass fare is on the S.V.R.?

By way of explanation; some paid S.V.R. staff have always received discounted travel (presumably quarter fare) on Network Rail and the reciprocal arrangement is that railway staff holding travel facilities (referred to as A.T.O.C. passes) receive a reduction in their ticket price (except or special events). This was always far less than 75%, generally a couple of pounds. Now that the "on-the-day" fare, presumably the base for a reduced one, is £32, but booking a few days in advance reduces this to £25 I wonder of there's actually going to be a saving over booking in advance.

 

[D Williams]

Profit does not seem to be a consideration at the forefront of volunteer minds very often. Sometimes the competitive nature of galas seems to be who can invite the greatest number of locos.

There is another, usually overlooked, reason for running a gala and that is the great boost it can give to the volunteer staff who, especially in this year, have to live with one engine in steam on most operating days, four or five trips and that's it for the day. Enthusiasts who are the most likely contributors to fund-raising appeals can be similarly motivated. When I was involved in organising such events I was always happy if we broke even financially but confident that we had given morale and publicity a boost. My observations were that very few "normal " passengers attended on these days, possibly because of the higher prices. Unfortunately the steam enthusiasts were getting older and greyer each year so I was pleased to see , at the K & WVR gala a couple of weeks ago that most trains were "wedged". I hope they made a few pounds.

 

[Paul Hitchcock]

Profit does not seem to be a consideration at the forefront of volunteer minds very often. Sometimes the competitive nature of galas seems to be who can invite the greatest number of locos.

You are so correct!

 

[kje7812]

I realise that this is only tangentially involved with 'news'; but can anyone say what the "A.T.O.C." pass fare is on the S.V.R.?

By way of explanation; some paid S.V.R. staff have always received discounted travel (presumably quarter fare) on Network Rail and the reciprocal arrangement is that railway staff holding travel facilities (referred to as A.T.O.C. passes) receive a reduction in their ticket price (except or special events). This was always far less than 75%, generally a couple of pounds. Now that the "on-the-day" fare, presumably the base for a reduced one, is £32, but booking a few days in advance reduces this to £25 I wonder of there's actually going to be a saving over booking in advance.

Member's rate, which is the same as the child fare. The OTD priv/member price is £21 for a day rover.
Of course there is a free return offer at the moment for pre-booked tickets. Thus a £25 prebooked ticket is worth 2 days (£12.50 per day).
BR/ATOC priv can not be purchased online in advanced. The members tickets can be as it is done by a registered email address to the members account.

 

[12LDA28C]

Pity nothing new is going to turn up, though that would probably have to be the Class 18 at the moment. Now that would be something to see.

What on earth is a Class 18?

 

[Cowley]

What on earth is a Class 18?

Yes it’s this machine:

Clayton CBD90 - Battery+diesel shunter - now BR Class 18

Low speed doesn't mean low tractive effort.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[12LDA28C]

Yes it’s this machine:

Clayton CBD90 - Battery+diesel shunter - now BR Class 18

Low speed doesn't mean low tractive effort.

www.railforums.co.uk

Is one of those going to the SVR Diesel Gala then? I heard a rumour that another rather older Clayton product was heading there...

 

[Cowley]

Is one of those going to the SVR Diesel Gala then? I heard a rumour that another rather older Clayton product was heading there...

I’d be pretty surprised if one did, unless anyone else knows any better?

 

[Merle Haggard]

Member's rate, which is the same as the child fare. The OTD priv/member price is £21 for a day rover.
Of course there is a free return offer at the moment for pre-booked tickets. Thus a £25 prebooked ticket is worth 2 days (£12.50 per day).
BR/ATOC priv can not be purchased online in advanced. The members tickets can be as it is done by a registered email address to the members account.

Thank you for the explanation.

 

[12LDA28C]

I’d be pretty surprised if one did, unless anyone else knows any better?

I should be able to find out one way or another this week.

 

[Intercity110]

The 47& push pull set are going on the 6th of april, what will they do before the gala begins? also where would the best place to photograph on the line be?

 

[12LDA28C]

The 47+mk3s are going on the 6th of april what will they do before the gala begins? also where would the best place to photograph on the line be?

Depends what sort of shot you want and how skilled you are as a photographer. Have you tried searching Google or Flickr to find the kind of images you would like to recreate?

 

[Intercity110]

Depends what sort of shot you want and how skilled you are as a photographer. Have you tried searching Google or Flickr to find the kind of images you would like to recreate?

i want a mixture, really i’m not fussed Just as long as they look good and you can see the locos clearly.

 

[birchesgreen]

Is one of those going to the SVR Diesel Gala then? I heard a rumour that another rather older Clayton product was heading there...

I doubt it, love to see it though.

 

[william.martin]

The next time trains run they will go to Bridgnorth with a 4 diagrams; 3 diesel and 1 steam

 

[12LDA28C]

I’d be pretty surprised if one did, unless anyone else knows any better?

The sole surviving Class 17 'Clayton' will be attending a few diesel galas (subject to availability) such as Swanage and the GCR as well as the Severn Valley which will become its new home, by all accounts.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

57 announced for SVR diesel gala.... this changes things as it was said above DRS were down to give an 88?

 

[43184spotter]

Cracking lineup thus far.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Cracking lineup thus far.

I very much agree, looking forward to going.

 

[xotGD]

Cracking lineup thus far.

None of the guests appeal to me. Saves a very early start and a long drive, i suppose.

 

[sprinterguy]

The next time trains run they will go to Bridgnorth with a 4 diagrams; 3 diesel and 1 steam

It's 1 diesel and 1 steam diagram on the published timetable up to the end of June, outside of special events.

Or are you suggesting that 1 of the 2 steam hauled departures in each direction is to be diesel worked instead (in addition to the 2 booked diesel hauled departures in each direction)?

 

[kje7812]

It's 1 diesel and 1 steam diagram on the published timetable up to the end of June, outside of special events.

And then some special events use table C which is 3 diagrams, 2 diesel and 1 steam. I note for the Saturday of the Open house weekend (1st April), there are 3 diesels in use but swapping around on the 2 diesel diagrams.

 

[sprinterguy]

And then some special events use table C which is 3 diagrams, 2 diesel and 1 steam. I note for the Saturday of the Open house weekend (1st April), there are 3 diesels in use but swapping around on the 2 diesel diagrams.

Ah, good to know - I hadn't come across Timetable C.

 

[HOOVER29]

View attachment 131852

57 announced for SVR diesel gala.... this changes things as it was said above DRS were down to give an 88?

Sooner have a thunderbird than a class 88 anyway

 

[12LDA28C]

None of the guests appeal to me. Saves a very early start and a long drive, i suppose.

I don't believe all the guests have been officially announced yet, there are certainly locos attending that have not been confirmed by the railway.

 

[Intercity110]

None of the guests appeal to me. Saves a very early start and a long drive, i suppose.

what would?

 

[william.martin]

It's 1 diesel and 1 steam diagram on the published timetable up to the end of June, outside of special events.

Or are you suggesting that 1 of the 2 steam hauled departures in each direction is to be diesel worked instead (in addition to the 2 booked diesel hauled departures in each direction)?

It's the special event timetable this weekend (timetable C)

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Have heard a rumour today that following the RAIB notice to heritage railways about risk assessing slam door operations after a member of the public was injured at Loughborough Central in January attempting to alight from a door that was not fully platformed (I.e. down the ramp), the Severn Valley Railway is now unable to run full length trains formed of heritage GWR-era stock due to the added risk of non-sprung door handles.

Can anyone corroborate this assertion, and does anyone know if it will affect the upcoming gala weekends at all? It will be a mighty shame if 4079 Pendennis Castle is unable to run with a full rake of matching GWR coaches because of a risk assessment of an incident on another railway. I’ll refrain from using the terms ‘knee jerk’ and ‘heavy handed response’ until someone has confirmed the RAIB are actually behind this.

 

[12LDA28C]

Have heard a rumour today that following the RAIB notice to heritage railways about risk assessing slam door operations after a member of the public was injured at Loughborough Central in January attempting to alight from a door that was not fully platformed (I.e. down the ramp), the Severn Valley Railway is now unable to run full length trains formed of heritage GWR-era stock due to the added risk of non-sprung door handles.

Can anyone corroborate this assertion, and does anyone know if it will affect the upcoming gala weekends at all? It will be a mighty shame if 4079 Pendennis Castle is unable to run with a full rake of matching GWR coaches because of a risk assessment of an incident on another railway. I’ll refrain from using the terms ‘knee jerk’ and ‘heavy handed response’ until someone has confirmed the RAIB are actually behind this.

Are you assuming that a risk assessment has automatically translated to a ban? Surely it's possible that the risk has been assessed and a workable solution found, for example putting a steward at any set of doors not fully platformed if staff are available.

 

[Paul Hitchcock]

Have heard a rumour today that following the RAIB notice to heritage railways about risk assessing slam door operations after a member of the public was injured at Loughborough Central in January attempting to alight from a door that was not fully platformed (I.e. down the ramp), the Severn Valley Railway is now unable to run full length trains formed of heritage GWR-era stock due to the added risk of non-sprung door handles.

Can anyone corroborate this assertion, and does anyone know if it will affect the upcoming gala weekends at all? It will be a mighty shame if 4079 Pendennis Castle is unable to run with a full rake of matching GWR coaches because of a risk assessment of an incident on another railway. I’ll refrain from using the terms ‘knee jerk’ and ‘heavy handed response’ until someone has confirmed the RAIB are actually behind this.

Well it was a ''mighty shame'' someone got seriously injured. Let's just await publication of the report.