Just in case you haven't come across the details yet. Our Diesel Gala will be held on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April and feature BR Class 14 No. 9521 which usually finds itself at the Dean Forest Railway.
Shortly, we will be releasing details of a Pie & Pint event with the engine and also a driver for a fiver experience during the Gala weekend. Keep an eye on our website for details to be released soon.
http://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/events/diesel-gala
Avon Valley Railway Diesel Gala
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carpetcone
- regular
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:51 pm
- Location: North Somerset
It was a shame to read in Ground Signal, the news letter of the Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust, that the gala was not profitable. I expect the hire costs for the J15 were partly to blame ?
I attended on the Sunday and had a very enjoyable day out, not only riding on the intensive service but also partaking of the good catering set up.
I hope the diesel gala makes a profit, I intend to pay a visit on one of the days.
I attended on the Sunday and had a very enjoyable day out, not only riding on the intensive service but also partaking of the good catering set up.
I hope the diesel gala makes a profit, I intend to pay a visit on one of the days.
Hi all, firstly I like to apologise for the lack of reply to these posts - been very busy!
Very generally speaking our Gala events are not designed to make lots of money. They are partly done for publicity, to provide an attractive event for our visitors (old and new) but also to allow our members to enjoy their railway. However as a responsible charity we must ensure we try to cover our costs at least, otherwise we simply wouldn't exist.
As you hinted, hiring engines is an extremely costly business. Each year we think carefully about what we can hire and what type of income would be needed to support each event but the real killer is transport, which as you can expect goes up each year.
We rely heavily on members and general public support through donations, purchasing travel tickets or buying a cuppa from the buffet. We do our best to make sure our events are affordable and accessible.
Roger - specifically about your point regarding donation boxes; there are a few dotted around the site (one usually outside the shop and another in the buffet), alternatively any member of our staff will happily deposit donations for you.
Especially with Gala events we do try to maximise the use of a visiting engine, bolting on other special events such as Pie & Pint Specials. These help cover some of the hire and transport costs while also being enjoyable for visitors.
Anyway, enough explanation from me. The Diesel Gala is just a week away now; I hope you all manage to visit one or both days and we all hope you enjoy your time with us.
Passenger timetables are now online and WTTs can be purchased from Bitton Station (in advance or on the day). Don't forget the viewing area that will be set up in the yard (donations welcome); the Driver for a Fiver experience through out both days and also the Saturday evening Pie & Pint. All the details are on the website (if not fire away on here!).
Thanks for the continued support.
Very generally speaking our Gala events are not designed to make lots of money. They are partly done for publicity, to provide an attractive event for our visitors (old and new) but also to allow our members to enjoy their railway. However as a responsible charity we must ensure we try to cover our costs at least, otherwise we simply wouldn't exist.
As you hinted, hiring engines is an extremely costly business. Each year we think carefully about what we can hire and what type of income would be needed to support each event but the real killer is transport, which as you can expect goes up each year.
We rely heavily on members and general public support through donations, purchasing travel tickets or buying a cuppa from the buffet. We do our best to make sure our events are affordable and accessible.
Roger - specifically about your point regarding donation boxes; there are a few dotted around the site (one usually outside the shop and another in the buffet), alternatively any member of our staff will happily deposit donations for you.
Especially with Gala events we do try to maximise the use of a visiting engine, bolting on other special events such as Pie & Pint Specials. These help cover some of the hire and transport costs while also being enjoyable for visitors.
Anyway, enough explanation from me. The Diesel Gala is just a week away now; I hope you all manage to visit one or both days and we all hope you enjoy your time with us.
Passenger timetables are now online and WTTs can be purchased from Bitton Station (in advance or on the day). Don't forget the viewing area that will be set up in the yard (donations welcome); the Driver for a Fiver experience through out both days and also the Saturday evening Pie & Pint. All the details are on the website (if not fire away on here!).
Thanks for the continued support.