Changes

[[File:GER_564_20170922.jpg|thumb|300px|right|2017 Autumn Steam Gala guest GER 564 at Arley]]For many enthusiasts, the '''Autumn Steam Gala''' is the highlight of the SVR year , involving operating around the clock for the whole weekend overnight running and having the presence of visiting locomotives. The first Autumn Steam Galas were referred to as "Enthusiasts' Days" or "Enthusiasts' Weekends"; these normally featured home locomotives only. In the 1980s, visiting locomotives began to appear and have done so for each year the Gala has run since 1990.

The first Autumn Steam Galas were referred to as "Enthusiasts' Days" or "Enthusiasts' Weekends"; these normally featured home locomotives only. In the 1980s, visiting locomotives began to appear and have done so for each year the Gala has run since 1990. The event has also extended in duration and now typically incorporates a 'Preview day' on the preceding runs over four days Thursday to the standard timetable but with visiting locomotives, and three days of Gala from Friday to Sunday inclusive , with overnight running on the Friday and Saturday nights. Other common features include demonstration freight trains and shorter local, part-line services. One popular operation is in previous years was the running of a "Breakfast train" using the [[Severn Valley Venturer]] stock. Other common features include demonstration freight trains and shorter local, part-line services.

Visiting From time to time visiting locomotives are also often utilised for regular passenger services in the days after the gala . They are also sometimes used for private photographic charters.

*'''1980''' [[LMS Stanier Jubilee 45690 Leander]] participated before undergoing a contract boiler overhaul.*'''1984''' First [[Steam Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas|guest locomotive]] at an Autumn Steam Gala (5051 "Drysllwyn Castle")*'''1989''' The "Autumn Steam Spectacular" was the last Autumn Steam Gala featuring home locomotives only.<ref>SVR News 94</ref>

 ==2019 *'''2020''' The Autumn Steam Gala ==Full details of the 2019 Autumn Steam Gala can be found on was cancelled due to the [https://www.svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=100 SVR Web site[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic]]. The Gala, which runs from 19-22 September, features three first-time visiting locomotives::*'''2021''30541'First announced as a fixed itinerary 'excursion': SR Maunsell Q class 0service under COVID-6-019 restrictions, it reverted to a more traditional operation with passengers able to choose their itineraries. With thanks to The Maunsell Locomotive Society & Bluebell Railway, however, continued to offer a small number of private bookable compartments, where passengers were guaranteed exclusive use of a compartment on a single train throughout the day. To assist with social distancing, the number of tickets available each day was limited. :*'''34092 City of Wells2022''': SR Bulleid West Country class PacificThere was evening, but not overnight, running. With thanks The reason given was to East Lancashire Light Railway Co Ltdconserve coal supplies. :*'''760172023''': BR Riddles Standard 4MT class MogulThursday Preview Day plus Friday to Sunday, with the return of overnight running on the Friday and Saturday night. With thanks to Mid Hants Railway Ltd

From time-to-time the SVR publishes the number of Gala passengers, according to the method of counting these which has varied over time (for example, since 2010 documents sent to shareholders became valid as a ticket which did not need to be exchanged for travel).)<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1936 SVR Forum shareholders' Passes thread]</ref> The following is an incomplete record:

| 2008 || style="text-align:right;" | 7,596 || <ref>SVR(H) published accounts</ref> |||-| 2009 ||style="text-align:right;" | 5,511|| <ref name="ASG1 ">[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3110&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=90 'Autumn Steam Gala 2014', SVR Online thread]</ref> || |-| 2010 || style="text-align:right;" | 5.775|| <ref name="ASG1"/> || |-| 2011 ||style="text-align:right;" | 6,500|| <ref name="ASG1"/> || |-| 2012 ||style="text-align:right;" | 6,318|| <ref name="ASG1"/> || |-| 2013 ||style="text-align:right;" | 6,030|| <ref name="ASG1"/> || |-| 2014 || style="text-align:right;" | 5,901|| <ref name="ASG1"/> ||

| 2009 2015 || 5style="text-align:right;" | 7,511300|| <ref name="ASG1 ">[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3110&postdays=0&postorder=asc3343&start=90 105 'Autumn Steam Gala 20142015', SVR Online forum thread]</ref> || Over the Preview day and three days of Gala

| 2010 2016 || 5.775|| <ref namestyle="ASG1text-align:right;"| n/> a|| || Replaced by 'Pacific Power' event.

| 2011 2017 || 6style="text-align:right;" | 5,500300|| <ref name="ASG1">SVR News 200</ref> ||

| 2012 2018 || style="text-align:right;" | 6,318335|| <ref name="ASG1">[https://www.svrlive.com/epnovember18 Express Points November 2018]</ref> || Over the Preview day and three days of Gala

| 2013 2019 || 6style="text-align:right;" | 5,030850 || <ref name="ASG1">NBI</ref> ||

| 2014 2020 || 5,901|| <ref namestyle="ASG1text-align:right;"| n/> a || || Event cancelled

| 2015 2021 || 7,300 || <ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3343&start=105 'Autumn Steam Gala 2015', SVR Online forum thread]</ref> || Over the Preview day and three days of Gala

| 2016 2022 || n/astyle="text-align:right;" | >5,500 | | <ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bloct22 Branch Lines October 2022]</ref> || Replaced by 'Pacific Power' event.

| 2017 2023 || style="text-align:right;" | 5,300156 || <ref>SVR News 200</ref> ||

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