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Dragon Miniature Railway; Gala Report
Topic Started: 9 Apr 2007, 07:47 PM (383 Views)
glastonrail
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Dommo
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Well the first-ever gala to be held on the DMR has been and gone, and was considered a great success by all involved, despite the poor weather. Five locos were in service all day: Princess, Lady Pauline, Jack, 47338 and Caracus, and were well patronised throughout the day. Despite the weather, a total of 283 fare-paying passengers were carried; this does not include those riding on 10-ride tickets, so over 300 passengers were hauled during the course of the day.

The day started with 47338 doing its morning chores of putting the signs out and chaecking the track, driven by Jonathan, one of our newest volunteers, whilst Princess and Jack were prepared by me and Neil respectively. Princess hauled the first steam service of the day with the covered coaches at precisely 11.14 (before the advertised guaranteed steam train :D), with Jack coming into service not far behind.

While Lady Pauline was given some maintenance before steaming, Derek arrived and Caracus was brought into service. Not long after though, the DMR saw its highest number of service trains out it had ever seen: five, made up of three steam engines and two petrol. A relaxed sequence of operating began, with more than one train often being despatched at the same time.

Once Craig turned up to see the proceedings, Tony had arrived and was alternating driving turns on Princess with Alex and I, while Lady Pauline was being driven by Alex and I. I got Lady P all to myself for an hour or more as Alex swanned off with my camera to take (lots of) photos :D.

While the steamers weere being handled by myself, Tony and Alex, Toni, Derek, Jonathan and Fran were ensuring the diesel service was going smoothly. The station was being very ably dealt with by (among off-duty drivers) Sheila, Neil's wife. Brian was running round doing odd jobs. The complete lack of inital organisation soon disappeared as the entire day ran smoothly with no major mishaps.

At about 4pm, things started being wound down, with Lady P coming off first, followed by Jack, then Princess. 47338 was put away at 4.50, then Caracus finished off the day with the sign-collecting run.

Overall a very succesful day, further galas will be held, hopefgully with more steam engines in service (Goliath is supposed to be coming out soon), and hopefully more advertising and organisiation.

Photos (and report) to be added to the website in due course.

Cheers,

Dom Greenop
DMR
"There's no such thing as sanity, and that's the sanest fact" M. Knopfler, 1985
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craiggluyas
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Director
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It all looked great Dom. Thanks for the invite!!!

Craig
Craig Gluyas

Talking to one's self is a sign of madness. I talk to my imaginary friend.
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MTA
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Operations Manager
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Sounds like a good event! Got a date for next years gala? :P
"If the fascination engendered by locomotion at the present day is so intense, the attractive powers of locomotion in miniature must of necessity be greater still"

W.J. Bassett-Lowke. August 1911
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glastonrail
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Dommo
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Website updated with photos and report - http://www.freewebs.com/dragonrailway

Craig - you are more than welcome, it was nice meeting you! :) Glad you enjoyed itm, and thanks for the pics. :)

Simon - yes, it was a good day despite the weather :angry: , so not as many people turned up as hoped. Oh, well, it was enough of a success to put another on the cards :D

Never mind next year, I think we're having another gala on Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May!! :lol: Pity I won't be there. :rolleyes: :angry:

Cheers,

Dom Greenop
DMR
"There's no such thing as sanity, and that's the sanest fact" M. Knopfler, 1985
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