Galas are a grand day out – but for how much longer?
Those of you who follow other steam‑based events besides railway ones will have probably heard the sad news that next year’s Great Dorset Steam Fair (GDSF) has been cancelled. This is no small announcement: the GDSF dwarfs all equivalent rail galas by a country mile and its loss will be sorely felt, not least to the good burghers of Dorset. When it’s being held it often boasts hundreds of steam‑powered vehicles, and the site swells to the fifth largest population in Dorset, which is impressive, whichever way you look at it. So, what has caused its cancellation? The answer is quite simple – spiralling costs. With heritage railways facing equally mounting and urgent cost pressures we have to ask ourselves: for how much longer can they sustain galas and special events?
Take the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Annual gala last month. It drew a record 6,000 people over four days, but even with figures like that and the associated revenue gained, will it be enough to keep going in its present form? Take into account the rising cost of living as well and there’s a real storm brewing on the horizon. I have previously said that we are going to have to start tightening our belts soon and slicing down on luxuries, and surely a gala counts as such? But even so, to look on the other side of the coin, we should be attending galas when we can, where we can and while we can, and supporting our local lines to the hilt.
There’s a very real chance that soon they, and other events such as war weekends, themed evenings, lights trains and so on, won’t be taking place, and I – for one – would be sad to see that happen. Day‑to‑day running is the lifeblood of our railways, but it’s nice to see them let their hair down and go all‑out to provide an amazing experience. And galas are an amazing experience, undoubtedly. I attended the aforementioned NYMR gala last month and it was a great event. Seeing the crowds literally flock around ‘A4’ No. 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley demonstrated the attraction of that magnificent engine.
For me, though, ‘Standard 5’ No. 73156 was the head‑turner, while the small and aesthetically beautiful Taff Vale tank No. 85 proved to be a stalwart performer on a variety of trips, both freight and passenger.
Galas are great things, and a real opportunity to show off the best heritage railways can offer. Let’s use them, not lose them, and inject some much‑needed funds into the coffers.
FOR HOW MUCH LONGER CAN THEY SUSTAIN GALAS AND SPECIAL EVENTS?