Severn Valley Railway - Autumn Steam Gala - 21/09/13

From the moment I heard 46233 'Duchess Of Sutherland' would be attending the Severn Valley Railway's Autumn Steam Gala, I knew it was a definite must to go there! I've been waiting years to see her and now I finally had my chance. The SVR's ASG ran from Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd September and as usual with SVR galas featured all night running. Although like most big galas there were a few loco replacements due to certain locos being unavailable, 46233 herself being a replacement for 777 'Sir Lamiel'.

I visited with dad on the Saturday and we spent most of the day in the Foley Park and Eardington areas, with brief visits to Highley and Hampton Loade before stopping off at Bewdley for a few hours of night time running.

Locos in action during the gala were:

Resident:

- GWR 5101 Class 2-6-2T no.5164
- GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 no.7812 'Erlestoke Manor'
- GWR 4500 Class 2-6-2T no.4566 * **
- GWR 2800 Class 2-8-0 no.2857*
- BR (W) 1500 Class 0-6-0PT no.1501 * **
- SR Re-Built Battle Of Britain Class 4-6-2 no.34053 'Sir Keith Park'
- LMS Ivatt 4MT Class 2-6-0 no.43106

Visiting:

- LMS Princess Coronation Class 4-6-2 no.46233 'Duchess Of Sutherland'
- SR V 'Schools' Class 4-4-0 no.925 'Cheltenham' (Replacing 850 'Lord Nelson')
- MR E Class 0-4-4T no.1
- GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0 no.4936 'Kinlet Hall' (Replacing 70000 'Britannia')
- GWR 5600 Class 0-6-2T no.5643 (On long term loan from the Ribble Steam Railway)

* Not featured in this video
** Standby loco

Also seen at the gala was no.3 'Sir Haydn' from the Talyllyn Railway, throughout the event she would be pulled by various locos along the line on a flatbed wagon, although unfortunately I didn't get a chance to see her.

Shots included are:

Daytime/Early evening shots:

Met no.1 - Eardington Bank (Had changed the camcorder's battery seconds before this shot, hence the late start. The tripod also decided to stick as well!).

925 'Cheltenham' - Foley Park (2x), Eardington Bank and just north of Highley.

4936 'Kinlet Hall' - Foley Park and Eardington Bank (2x).

5164 - Foley Park (2x) and Highley, restarting a ten coach train originally booked for 46233, who had been withdrawn early.

5643 - Highley.

34053 - Foley Park.

43106 - North of Highley.

46233 - Foley Park, Eardington Bank and Crossing Cottage.

Night time shots:

Hampton Loade - 7812 arrives on the goods, 4936 arrives on a passenger service and departs for Bridgnorth, 7812 departs for Bewdley.

Bewdley - 7812 departs light engine for Kiddermnster, 43106 departs on a Kidderminster service, 43106 arrives back for servicing, 7812 arrives back on a Bridgnorth service and finally 5164 departs on a Kidderminster service.

A absolute top gala and definitely worth visiting, even more so because I finally got to see 46233! Must look out for and plan more locations next time though, for better variety.

Filmed on a Panasonic HDC-HS900 with a Pro Sound L92AA microphone.

Enjoy.