Avon Valley Railway Gala 2010
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:09 am
Looking ahead to the railways æEnd of Season GalaÆ on the 24th of October, we have been looking for a suitable guest loco.
We have decided that due to the fact that we are a Midland line, in the heart of the Western region and the low attendance of last years gala with GWR small prairie 5521, we would choose a loco that provides something of an alternative to GW175.
The railways Traction Inspector began his railway career as a fireman on the Eastern region, starting at Epping, before eventual transfer to Stratford shed, often working commuter trains out of Liverpool St.
As a thank you for his involvement at the railway for so many years and with his seventieth birthday about a year and a half away, we have decided to look at the possibility of bringing in æN7Æ 69621, courtesy of the East Anglian Railway Museum and itÆs current custodians, the North Norfolk Railway.
The loco is symbolic, as it was one of the engines that our Traction Inspector regularly fired in his last months as a fireman before passing over to diesel traction at Stratford. He has not seen or stepped foot on a N7 since.
We are currently in a position where all we require to do is to sign the hire agreement and arrange final transport arrangements. The only problem is funding, for the hire of the loco and the transport cost from the NNR to Bitton and return.
We need to know the level of support for the idea, which will require donations to help with the additional costs.
We are planning to run a Photo Charter/Pie ÆnÆ Pint train as well as an experience course. The Charter/Course will both be run with either a suitable suburban/branch passenger or a freight service.
At the moment we are trying to gauge peopleÆs interest. We need to be able to see sufficient interest by Monday 1st March at the latest otherwise we will need to seek an alternative, although from what I can see, that will also present the same problems.
As far as I know, the loco has only been in the area once, with a visit to the West Somerset a couple of years ago (correct me if I am wrong), so we are presenting a rare opportunity to see and ride behind a extremely different engine, as well as allowing us to thank a special man for many years commitment.
We have decided that due to the fact that we are a Midland line, in the heart of the Western region and the low attendance of last years gala with GWR small prairie 5521, we would choose a loco that provides something of an alternative to GW175.
The railways Traction Inspector began his railway career as a fireman on the Eastern region, starting at Epping, before eventual transfer to Stratford shed, often working commuter trains out of Liverpool St.
As a thank you for his involvement at the railway for so many years and with his seventieth birthday about a year and a half away, we have decided to look at the possibility of bringing in æN7Æ 69621, courtesy of the East Anglian Railway Museum and itÆs current custodians, the North Norfolk Railway.
The loco is symbolic, as it was one of the engines that our Traction Inspector regularly fired in his last months as a fireman before passing over to diesel traction at Stratford. He has not seen or stepped foot on a N7 since.
We are currently in a position where all we require to do is to sign the hire agreement and arrange final transport arrangements. The only problem is funding, for the hire of the loco and the transport cost from the NNR to Bitton and return.
We need to know the level of support for the idea, which will require donations to help with the additional costs.
We are planning to run a Photo Charter/Pie ÆnÆ Pint train as well as an experience course. The Charter/Course will both be run with either a suitable suburban/branch passenger or a freight service.
At the moment we are trying to gauge peopleÆs interest. We need to be able to see sufficient interest by Monday 1st March at the latest otherwise we will need to seek an alternative, although from what I can see, that will also present the same problems.
As far as I know, the loco has only been in the area once, with a visit to the West Somerset a couple of years ago (correct me if I am wrong), so we are presenting a rare opportunity to see and ride behind a extremely different engine, as well as allowing us to thank a special man for many years commitment.
