The Bristol Railway Archive

The guest loco is 0-6-0 J15 65462 with the kind permission of the M&GN Joint Railway Society.

Will post more details soon.

Nice loco. Let's hope it faces Oldland Common so that we can see and here it working the gradient smokebox first. <BJ> .

Will it be possible to buy a working timetable for the event? Not a bad way for the railway to make an amount of money from the photographers (including myself) who on some days prefer to photograph the trains. Another idea would be for a donation box to be set in the station area. <BJ>

A photograph of the engine. <BJ>

http://www.wandering1500.co.uk/pages/j15.html

free2grice wrote:Will it be possible to buy a working timetable for the event? Not a bad way for the railway to make an amount of money from the photographers (including myself) who on some days prefer to photograph the trains. Another idea would be for a donation box to be set in the station area. <BJ>

Previously I've bought a timetable at Bitton on the day of the gala (and also put some money in one of their donation boxes), however I now normally buy a couple of tickets for the gala a few days before the event, and receive the timetable at the same time. This gives me plenty of time to plan what and where to photograph and what to ride on.

I might even make it along on the Sunday

A railway official at the railway has told me that the J15 will be staying until the end of the year. I very much hope so.

Don't shoot the messenger. <BJ>

I haven't posted for a long time but I used to live in North Somerset before retiring to live in North Norfolk, about 15 minutes from the North Norfolk Railway. I was told by one of the M&GN Society officials at the weekend that the J15 will be at Bitton for a while. It's a great loco, 100 years old this year as I recall, and is currently carrying LNER black livery and bearing the running number 7564, well worth a view.

Hi all, sorry for the silence so far from AVR HQ... our website has been updated now with all the latest information regarding the Gala, including confirming the availability of guest engine J15 No. 7564 from the North Norfolk Railway.

A copy of the passenger timetable can be downloaded from the event page at www.avonvalleyrailway.org/gala along with a promotional poster (if anyone can display these it would be much appreciated).

As with previous years a full working timetable detailing passenger and freight trains is available to purchase from Bitton Station; either in advance or on the day. A donation of ú1 is suggested, with all proceeds helping to pay for the hire and transport of the visiting engine.

Due to time constraints a Gala programme has not been produced as with previous years, however a reprint of the AVR's Stock Book should be available to purchase if that interests anyone.

As many of you have already kindly hinted; there will be donation boxes available at both the Station and Buffet and any donations received will, as ever, be greatly appreciated.

The Buffet will have extended opening hours depending upon demand, so pop in for a warming tea/coffee and slice of cake in between those photos! Remember, you can purchase tickets in advance for this event, both one and two days tickets, from our website.

free2grice/Steve S - indeed the engine will be with us for a considerable time, its expected to arrive early next week (I'll post details once they've been confirmed) and will be with us until early January 2013; working the majority of our Santa services and October half term, which is now a mix of diesel or steam-hauled rather than the advertised DMU operation. again her likely duty roster will appear on our website/here once confirmed.

All that remains to be said is I hope you all enjoy the show!

Thanks for the update. All very good news. <BJ>

john2006 wrote:Hi all, sorry for the silence so far from AVR HQ... our website has been updated now with all the latest information regarding the Gala, including confirming the availability of guest engine J15 No. 7564 from the North Norfolk Railway.

A copy of the passenger timetable can be downloaded from the event page at www.avonvalleyrailway.org/gala along with a promotional poster (if anyone can display these it would be much appreciated).

As with previous years a full working timetable detailing passenger and freight trains is available to purchase from Bitton Station; either in advance or on the day. A donation of ú1 is suggested, with all proceeds helping to pay for the hire and transport of the visiting engine.

Due to time constraints a Gala programme has not been produced as with previous years, however a reprint of the AVR's Stock Book should be available to purchase if that interests anyone.

As many of you have already kindly hinted; there will be donation boxes available at both the Station and Buffet and any donations received will, as ever, be greatly appreciated.

The Buffet will have extended opening hours depending upon demand, so pop in for a warming tea/coffee and slice of cake in between those photos! Remember, you can purchase tickets in advance for this event, both one and two days tickets, from our website.

free2grice/Steve S - indeed the engine will be with us for a considerable time, its expected to arrive early next week (I'll post details once they've been confirmed) and will be with us until early January 2013; working the majority of our Santa services and October half term, which is now a mix of diesel or steam-hauled rather than the advertised DMU operation. again her likely duty roster will appear on our website/here once confirmed.

All that remains to be said is I hope you all enjoy the show!

John, when I popped down to Sheringham Station yesterday the J15 was parked in the yard, with the tender seperated from the loco and seemingly awaiting a low loader so she should be with you soon.....

Just a reminder that the End of Season takes place this weekend.
Good weather is forecast.

Look forward to seeing you over the weekend.

The LNER 0-6-0 J15 looks wonderful. It was on driver training today hauling four maroon coaches. <BJ>

The J15 sounded superb climbing the bank to Bitton.

Roger wrote:The J15 sounded superb climbing the bank to Bitton.

....and running with a 13 wagon goods train. At the WSR gala it was just 10 wagons, so well done to the folk at Bitton. The AVR gala includes local trains, express trains, goods trains and vintage vehicles. Excellent stuff. <BJ>