avonside1563 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 This year's gala at the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway is taking place in June instead of September as last year it clashed with too many other events. So far the visiting locomotives confirmed are 0-6-0PT 1501 from the Severn Valley Railway and 0-6-0PT 1369 from the South Devon Railway. (A third visitor is pencilled in - to be confirmed) These will be in action alongside the home locos of 0-6-0ST 71515 'Mech Navvies' and 0-4-0ST 'Rosyth No.1' The event will feature two passenger sets (one consisting of Mk1's and the other the vintage wooden carriages), double heading, banking, non-stop runs, freight trains and lots of other attractions. This is a great weekend featuring lots of action on the steeply graded line and plenty to entertain so come along and see for yourself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 96701 Posted March 11, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 11, 2016 When in June? I'm due to go and see John Cooper-Clarke on the 11th. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
avonside1563 Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 When in June? I'm due to go and see John Cooper-Clarke on the 11th. The dates are on the thread title. 24th - 26th June. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
avonside1563 Posted March 19, 2016 Author Share Posted March 19, 2016 Now also confirmed as attending the P&BR gala in June is ex-Andrew Barclay works shunter 1219 recently returned to steam at the West Somerset Railway and seen in action at Washford at their recent gala. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
avonside1563 Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 Here's the complete loco line up for the Gala on 24-26th June. Visiting locos: Home fleet 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Kirkham Posted May 1, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 1, 2016 Looks promising. I'd really like to go. The last time I visited Blaenavon was in 1976, when I was rather firmly asked to leave the NCB premises. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
numpty Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Here's the complete loco line up for the Gala on 24-26th June. Will you be having a play with the either of the pannier tanks? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
avonside1563 Posted May 1, 2016 Author Share Posted May 1, 2016 Here's the complete loco line up for the Gala on 24-26th June. Will you be having a play with the either of the pannier tanks? More than likely. 1501 is staying for a month but 1369 is heading hoe straight after the gala Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
avonside1563 Posted June 24, 2016 Author Share Posted June 24, 2016 Today is the first day of this weekend's gala. Hopefully the weather will be kind and the rain will restrict itself to the occasional shower. 1501 and 1369 on the mainline between Blaenavon High Level and Furnace Sidings, and 1219 doing the honours on the Big Pit branch, today being purely passenger services. Rosyth No.1 and Mech Navvies join in tomorrow along with a freight train during the day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 96701 Posted June 24, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 24, 2016 Today is the first day of this weekend's gala. Hopefully the weather will be kind and the rain will restrict itself to the occasional shower. 1501 and 1369 on the mainline between Blaenavon High Level and Furnace Sidings, and 1219 doing the honours on the Big Pit branch, today being purely passenger services. Rosyth No.1 and Mech Navvies join in tomorrow along with a freight train during the day. Last time I was at Blaenavon was for a demo of Network Rail's Cardiff based drainage machine. It was very wet and very cold. I'm sure this weekend will be a good do, but unfortunately I can't be there because a member of our extended family has decided to have a party this weekend............. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Kirkham Posted June 24, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 24, 2016 Today is the first day of this weekend's gala. Hopefully the weather will be kind and the rain will restrict itself to the occasional shower. 1501 and 1369 on the mainline between Blaenavon High Level and Furnace Sidings, and 1219 doing the honours on the Big Pit branch, today being purely passenger services. Rosyth No.1 and Mech Navvies join in tomorrow along with a freight train during the day. I'll be there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 96701 Posted June 28, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 28, 2016 How did it go? Any photos to share? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Kirkham Posted June 28, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 28, 2016 (edited) How did it go? Any photos to share? I don't usually take many pictures on preserved lines, but I couldn't resist these: Blaenavon 1 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr Blaenavon 2 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr Blaenavon 3 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr I had a great day. There's lots to see at Blaenavon - not only the railway but also the historic ironworks. I was sorry not to be able to visit Big Pit as it is closed by industrial action. Edited June 28, 2016 by Andy Kirkham 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
avonside1563 Posted June 29, 2016 Author Share Posted June 29, 2016 Nice photos Andy, I was driving 1369 that day Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Kirkham Posted July 1, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 1, 2016 I might also add that I enjoyed the display of historic photos at Blaenavon High Level station, and had an interesting talk with the custodian there, a knowledgeable gentleman who is writing a book on the line. As a result I have been able to expand the captions to my photos from my previous visit. MAR 75 08. A train of coal empties approaches Furnace Sidings Blaenavon, 1975 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr MAR 75 09. Barclay 0-4-0ST Toto shunts at Blaenavon, 1975 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr MAR 75 13. Barclay 0-4-0ST Toto shunts at Blaenavon, 1975 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr MAR 75 11. Barclay 0-4-0ST Toto shunts at Blaenavon, 1975 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr MAR 75 12. Barclay 0-4-0ST Toto shunts at Blaenavon, 1975 by Andy Kirkham, on Flickr 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
avonside1563 Posted July 1, 2016 Author Share Posted July 1, 2016 Great shots there Andy. In the first photo the building to the right above the 37 is Doncasters Mill who produce forgings and rolled rings and supplied tyres to the Great Western and Western region. The company is still in production albiet in modern buildings rather than the old brick buildings seen there. To place the second photo for those who don't know the area well the camera is looking straight over the rail over bridge on the left towards what is now Big Pit Halt, the right hand abutment for the bridge in the distance is still in place opposite the platform. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidmouth Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 (edited) Compo Club - 1501 at Blaenavon by Martin Creese, on Flickr Compo Club - 1501 at Blaenavon by Martin Creese, on Flickr Compo Club - 1501 at Blaenavon by Martin Creese, on Flickr A very enjoyable photographic evening with Simon Hopkins and 1501 on a short goods train . Clear Sunshine helped the images and a big thank you to all involved for a very warm welcome Edited July 4, 2016 by sidmouth 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bert Cheese Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Looks to be coming on well in recent years, last time I visited was a chance fly-by in the hope of seeing 50029 & 50030...only to discover they had left for Matlock the week before! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Western Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 These pictures are from the 2015 Gala, I echo the views that the railway really is on the up extensions and signalling projects in the planning ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Western Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 The 2016 Gala fantastic event, just show some how strong the line is getting. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Western Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Finally the most recent 2017 gala. Here's to 2018 ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
avonside1563 Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 Nice photos featuring yours truly leaning out of 4270's cab 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Western Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 That bloke with the dog had the right arse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
avonside1563 Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 That bloke with the dog had the right arse Haha yes, it was a big old dog and he was a little old bloke. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Western Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 The dog was lovely, I had to catch him then take him back to the bloke ! The bloke said himself that the dog was way to strong for him, really Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now