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Gala/Events

09/07/08
 
Work is now well underway on preparations for this years Autumn Diesel Gala, which looks set to be our biggest ever!
 
However, if you cant wait that long for diesel haulage, we are having a Southern Themed Weekend on 2nd/3rd August with 33019 and 73114 out all weekend, see the running days page for further details.


As you can see from our advert above, it's quite a line up again !
 
On the Saturday and Sunday, the locos will be keeping to a very intensive timetable, in various single, double and top and tail formations. However, the Friday will not be quite as structured, with each loco doing at least one trip throughout the day, but we wont know what engine on which train until the day itself arrives (ie- whichever loco fires up first in the morning, takes the first train).
 
This year, the Autumn Diesel Gala is being kindly sponsored by Visions International, creators of many fine rail related DVD programmes, including the Carry On Clagging series. The Gala will be your chance to pick up the long awaited third instalment in the series, 2 weeks before it goes on general sale!
 
There will also be other trade stands on site, including Trackside Ltd, manufacturers and suppliers of railway related signs and vinyls.
 
Returning, due to popular demand, Cab Rides will will be available throughout the weekend at a cost of only £10 (one way) on various locos.
 
There will once again be a camping area for those of you who wish to stop over throughout the weekend, allowing you to indulge in the BBQ and the Real Ale of course !!!!
 
The BBQ is on the Saturday night only, with a charge of £1.50 per item.
 
After the trial success of our Spring Gala, a FREE bus link will be available on the Saturday and Sunday only, from Tamworth railway station (times will be posted here shortly).
 
Our Griddle Car (E1104) will be serving hot food throughout the day all weekend, as well as the usual snacks and treats available.
 
Once again there will be an additional bar located in the Brake Coach, 'Hell's Bar', which will be serving TWO Real Ales supplied by the local Church End Brewery (more details soon).
 
All this is in addition to one or two other surprises we have up our sleeves, so keep checking back for more updates on the run up to the Gala...
 
Hope to see you there !!!!
 


Well, what a Gala that was!!! And here's a quick review...
 
The week before the Gala was a little frantic.
 
At the start of the week, the only engine not running was 47640. By Friday, we'd learnt how to herd cattle (After a field full of cows decided to come and see what all the fuss was about). We also lost 31101 and 33019 to flat batteries !!!! There didn't appear to be enough electricity in the north end sidings to charge them either! Still we worked on into the night...
 
Saturday morning and all appeared well. All the loco's started, and the first two trains had departed. Then 1100 came. OK, perhaps it was a little short sighted putting 37905 out on its own, for its first train as it failed. Still all was not lost, as 31130 and 31101 were on the back, and towed the Slug home !! The rest of the day went according to plan, more or less.
 
The Signalman (Yours truly) and the Shenton Station working Gentleman had much fun devising names for the different departures. Particular favourites being, the Exocet Missile, the Railtour (That was the 1100 with the Slug, every single window had someone leaning out of it!), and the John West Special (I've never seen the Railway's DMU full to bursting before...).
 
Saturday Night arrived, and many MANY pints of Shackerstone Diesel Fuel were consumed (Incidently, this didn't leave much for Sunday. Next year we'll have more....).
 
Sunday, and more of the same. Lots of thrash, lots of Clag, lots of happy smiley faces!!!!
 
A more indepth review when time permits.


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