Avon Valley Railway Gala 2011 - 15th and 16th October

gwrmarcus · Post by **gwrmarcus** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:04 pm

After last yearÃ†s successful gala with the N2, weÃ†ve decided to push the boat out. This will be for the first time in several years, that we have ran a two day event and to make it extra special, we have decided to hire ex-resident Black 5 45379 from the Mid Hants Railway. This will be the first time this loco has left its home base since returning to traffic last year.

Running alongside the Black 5 will be RSH 7151 and TKH 4015 (providing the repairs to itÃ†s main steam pipe are completed in time). If 4015 is unavailable then LlangollenÃ†s Hunslet saddle tank 1837 Ã¦ JessieÃ†, will substitute.

Along with this, subject to being able to pay all the Transport Costs etc prior to the event, then we have also got the option to hire Jinty 47406 from Loughborough to join the line up, just for the weekend.

The timetable for both days, currently still being finalised, looks to be an interesting one, with stopping and express passenger services and freight services. For the first time, we will also be running a two coach local train, around the other services.

Tickets are now available for the event, either from the station office or online. Another first is two day tickets, also available. Anybody interested can also purchase tickets from First Great Western (day tickets only) allowing travel from your home station to Keynsham, a vintage shuttle bus to Bitton and your rover ticket for the gala.

Along with its visit for the gala, the Black 5 will be used for a PieÃ†nÃ†Pint train on the evening of the 11th, starting at 7pm and several Footplate Experience courses. These take the form of the Ã¦Pines ExpressÃ†, allowing you to drive, fire and act as guard on an express passenger train.

On the 23rd of October we will also be running a Landslip appeal event, in support of the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, the Black 5Ã†s last scheduled operating day with us, with proceeds from this going towards the appeal. There will also be driver for a Tenner operating with on of the resident diesel locoÃ†s during the day.

Any additional information for the gala can be found on our website at www.avonvalleyrailway.org/gala or by calling the station office on 0117 932 5538.

Shovel · Post by **Shovel** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:23 pm

47406 is no longer available for the Gala. We have however been lucky to secure a pannier.Will post more information when available.

Shovel · Post by **Shovel** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:27 pm

Update on the last post. Pannier 1369 from the SDR will replace 47406.
Many thanks to SDR in releasing the loco at short notice.

Shovel · Post by **Shovel** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 6:18 pm

See Avon Valley Railway website for the latest picture of 45379 and 1369
at Bitton today.

john2006 · Post by **john2006** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 12:12 am

And to add my bit, keep an eye on the gala webpage at www.avonvalleyrailway.org/gala.

Keep up to date with the Gala news by keeping your eye on this page and especially the twitter feed, or follow us on twitter @AVRbitton #avrgala

get_that_bus_out · Post by **get_that_bus_out** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:27 am

Picture of 1369 and 45379 - both now arrived at Bitton.

Shovel · Post by **Shovel** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:34 pm

Please support the Gala this weekend 15/16 October
First train departs at 0855 Freight Rostered Loco 45379 Sat/Sun
Followed by L/E Hunslet 1837 Jessie(Sat) 1369 (Sun) at 0903;
0905 Passenger RSH 7151/ Ferrum 4015 (Sat) RSH 7151/Hunslet 1837 'Jessie' (Sun)

The last passenger train is 1804 from Riverside arr. Bitton at 1811
45379/Hunslet 1837 'Jessie'(Sat)
45379/1369 (Sun)

Robin Summerhill · Post by **Robin Summerhill** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:47 pm

I look forward to the day that the AVR recreates a day-to-day scene from the 50s and 60s - an Ivatt 2-6-2 tank with a rake of three green southern coaches.

Any chance?

free2grice · Post by **free2grice** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 11:15 pm

Robin Summerhill wrote:I look forward to the day that the AVR recreates a day-to-day scene from the 50s and 60s.

How about the sight and sound of a 'Black 5' hauling a passenger train non-stop through Bitton station at night. Oh, silly me, that was at 8:30 tonight!!

It was fantastic. <BJ>

Robin Summerhill · Post by **Robin Summerhill** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:26 am

free2grice wrote:
Robin Summerhill wrote:I look forward to the day that the AVR recreates a day-to-day scene from the 50s and 60s.
How about the sight and sound of a 'Black 5' hauling a passenger train non-stop through Bitton station at night. Oh, silly me, that was at 8:30 tonight!!

It was fantastic. <BJ>

Point taken

But, except for summer Saturdays, that happened once a day with the Pines (and during daylight hours, of course). The Ivatt tanks were up and down all the time, picking up traffic and providing the local service.

Swanning seriously off on a tangent, that's why the Isle of Wight Steam Railway has a special attraction for me, especially when "Calbourne" is in service. Seeing no. 24 on a rake of Victorian coaches is exactly like it was prior to the closures and electrification.

mow · Post by **mow** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:02 am

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N ... 750767695/

Not the most productive evening with my camera, but enjoyable.

free2grice · Post by **free2grice** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:29 pm

mow wrote:Not the most productive evening with my camera, but enjoyable.

Well, there's nothing wrong with that shot, especially with the limited light available. Well done. <BJ>

mow · Post by **mow** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:21 pm

Thanks, all the other efforts were appallingly bad, and I couldn't see what I was doing when I used the camera.

Was pleasantly surprised by the shot in the end.

WHEELTAPPER · Post by **WHEELTAPPER** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:49 pm

Just a quick line to say a big thankyou to all the volunteers who made the pie and pint evening absolutely brilliant. Non stop through Bitton (twice), real ale and a black 5 was very atmospheric. Thanks again,
Rog

john2006 · Post by **john2006** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:51 pm

Shovel wrote:Please support the Gala this weekend 15/16 October
First train departs at 0855 Freight Rostered Loco 45379 Sat/Sun
Followed by L/E Hunslet 1837 Jessie(Sat) 1369 (Sun) at 0903;
0905 Passenger RSH 7151/ Ferrum 4015 (Sat) RSH 7151/Hunslet 1837 'Jessie' (Sun)

The last passenger train is 1804 from Riverside arr. Bitton at 1811
45379/Hunslet 1837 'Jessie'(Sat)
45379/1369 (Sun)

Hi all, just a brief update for the weekend. The passenger timetable is now available online at http://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/events ... 2011tt.pdf - a full working timetable can be purchased from the station Fri, Sat or Sun with a free copy provided to all fare paying passengers.

Enjoy the weekend!