NYMR Valley Aid Gala

[Ben]

A totally new event for our programme this year, with the primary aim of generating financial support for the flood-stricken Severn Valley Railway.

No less than 2/3rds of the proceeds will be donated to the Flood Damage Appeal.

The event, dubbed by volunteers as ‘Valley Aid’, is to be a mixed traffic event over three days from the 2nd to the 4th November.

The two railways have strong links with each other. A number of volunteers from each railway assist on the other line and SVR members have recently been helping with the re-signalling project at Grosmont, which is now entering its final stages. In addition, the NYMR has already offered assistance in the rebuild of the Severn Valley Railway by lending its’ Track Gopher, which digs contaminated ballast out from beneath the sleepers without having to lift track. Paid and volunteer staff alike are very keen to support the SVR in any way they can. This event is a tremendous opportunity for everyone to be involved and generate a real financial gain for the SVR Flood Damage Appeal.

‘Valley Aid’ will be a celebration of steam and diesel heritage, with a packed programme for enthusiasts of all ages and tastes, with something for everyone.

Highlights:
·Visiting steam – K4 61994 ‘The Great Marquess’ and B1 61264
·Visiting diesels – with English Electric theme – Class 50 ‘Defiance’, Class 37 D6700, last planned appearance of Class 55 ‘Deltic’ D9009 ‘Alycidon’
·Home based locomotives – Steam: Class A4 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley; Diesel: Class 25 D7628, Class 50 50027 ‘Lion’
·Services to Whitby and on The Esk Valley line. Details to be confirmed but it is hoped to include both ‘The Great Marquess’ and ‘Defiance’
·Last appearance of 61994 ‘The Great Marquess’ on the NYMR
·Bonfire night celebration at Levisham on Saturday 3rd, a pre-planned Special Event

Many locomotive owners are donating engines free of hire charges, and our warm thanks go out to the National Railway museum, Deltic Preservation Society, John Cameron, A4 Locomotive Society, Thompson B1 Locomotive Trust, Class 50 Alliance and 50 027 Project.

General Manager Philip Benham said; “Like everyone in the Heritage movement, we were horrified to see the damage caused to the Severn Valley. NYMR had our own problems in the floods, but to nowhere near the same extent. We are delighted to be able to help the Flood Damage Appeal in this way, and are also very grateful to the locomotive owners who are making their engines available free of hire charge.”