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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. Paul Kibbey

    Paul Kibbey Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for
    I know there are some who think 9351 is abomination and it should never of happened . They weren't putting their hands in their pockets to rebuild it in the original condition . I assume it was the WSR board that decided that the way forward was to remove the rotten water tanks and bunker to be replaced by a tender that was available . Personally I think it was the right decision and turned a wreck into a useful loco . I will never be considered an ' ultra ' if a piece of GWR machinery can be improved by having a boiler running with higher temperature super heat , then so be it . I'm sure Swindon would have done it if efficiency was improved . Not too keen on the red Hall but it is earning its living and is the owners decision , personally not too keen on seeing GWR locos in black but that is MY preference .

    Paul . K
     
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  2. Snifter

    Snifter Well-Known Member

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    In other news, I read today that Chris Tucker (Tiffer) has passed away. For those that knew him, he was one of a kind. He was also a core member of the WSRA Reform Group.

    Cheerio old chum.
     
  3. marcus

    marcus New Member

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    Very sad to hear this. I knew Chris fairly well in days past when I was part of the 'Iffy Rivet Company' and we worked on restoring.overhauling such locos as 4160, 6412, 3205 and 34046. I remember a very memorable road journey from from MD to BA in his old Ford Capri to do a staff move before the EKT was installed. He played a tape recording of Black 5's running over Shap on the stereo, with all the fag ash blowing around, along with all the grease and dirt in his car it was like being on the footplate! He was a great guy though and always willing to do anything asked of him. R.I.P. Chris.

    Marcus
     
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  4. 45076

    45076 Member

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    West Somerset Railway

    We have a shortage of steam haulage tomorrow (Tuesday 11th July 2017). We are doing our best to minimize inconvenience but the following services are affected.
    10.10 Ex Minehead will be diesel hauled.
    11.05 BL departure will be delayed until 11.50 and will be DIESEL hauled.
    14.30 Ex MD will be diesel hauled
    16.30 Ex BL will be diesel hauled

    All other services will be as advertised.

    53809 1020 BL-MD. 9 late start.
    D1661 1010 MD-BL. Loco detached at BL outer signal to drop onto the stock for the retimed 1150 BL-MD, while 53808 went out to bring the 1010 MD into the station.
    D1661 then departed on 1105 retimed to 1150 at 1158.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
  5. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    Chris Tucker

    His family have asked that the following news be passed on.

    The service will be at Taunton Crematorium at 12:30 on Wednesday 19 July. Members of the Railway will be very welcome.

    Robin
     
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  6. Snifter

    Snifter Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Robin. I will attend.
     
  7. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    It's the old saying - he (or she) who pays the piper calls the tune! Personally I'd have preferred 5193, but lacked, and still lack, the necessary funds to restore a prairie tank.
     
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  8. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

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    And a very good focus of all the regret expressed over 5193/9351 would be 4110 - http://www.wsra.org.uk/2017/05/wsr-locomotive-restoration-fund-launched/
     
  9. Andy Norman

    Andy Norman Member

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    Anybody looking at the Bishops Lydeard railcam on wsr.org.uk would have just seen a 7F leaving with a passenger train closely followed by another 7F pulling into the platform from the carriage sidings with the next departure.

    I know there is always a debate about GWR engines being on the WSR even though 53808/9 & 44422 are more ‘Somerset’ than any of the GWR engines currently and I don’t disagree with the point that it’s important to keep to the essence of the line but where else could you see 2 7F’s working services one after another and its only on mid-week service trains not even a gala.
     
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  10. 45076

    45076 Member

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    Variety is the spice of life. The two 7Fs are ideally suited for the WSR requirement to haul 7/8 coach trains.

    Any news regarding the repairs to 6960 and 44422?
     
  11. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    I'm told the WSR 'then and now' photos I posted a while ago achieved a certain following. I have been looking at a few early 'current era WSR shots and musing on how things have changed.

    Try this pair looking south from Norton Bridge toward the GWR main line in 1980 and today.

    The obvious point of reference is the high-tension pylon. Quite a lot else has changed.

    More to follow.

    Robin

    1980
    IMG_6449.JPG

    2017
    IMG_6500.JPG
     
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  12. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    I am sorry to hear that - I have known Chris over 30 years - a real character!

    Each summer, as the school (or to be more accurate college) holidays approached, the count-down to 'Tucker-time' was observed at the NYMR, as his summer northern migration approached! For a number of years, he managed to make the start co-inside with or precede the 'Vintage Vehicle' weekend, allowing one of his Capris to be present if not perhaps exactly an exhibit!

    I have many fine memories of Chris, and many stories, almost none of which could be repeated on a public forum! I last saw him on the NYMR a couple of years ago, and saw him one evening at the NRM at York as well comparatively recently.

    Rest in Peace, old friend!

    Steven
     
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  13. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    It seems to me that the creation of 9351 was supremely pragmatic. Instead of having to construct new tanks and bunker, just chop a bit of the frames and attach a tender (plus of course all the other work that would have been needed in either case). The 93xx number is perfect for a variation on the 43xx class. And is there really much difference between No. 2 and No.4 boilers?
     
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  14. Paul Kibbey

    Paul Kibbey Well-Known Member

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    I must admit just before 88 went for her latest overhaul I started to appreciate her for what she is .In fact I felt she was part of the ' furniture ' , this was nothing to do with the fact that due to the smaller wheels she sounded like she was travelling faster than she actually was . I'm thinking now that maybe 25 mph might be the sort of speed the 7 Fs were designed for . I hope someone from the MPD crew might help with their wisdom .
     
  15. 45076

    45076 Member

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    6960 has returned to service this afternoon.

    7820 did 1010 MD/ 1240 BL. Then 6960 took over for 1430 MD/ 1630 BL.
     
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  16. aldfort

    aldfort Well-Known Member

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    Just back from a couple of days on the WSR.
    While I see some of you are waxing lyrical about 53808 and 53809 and of course it's great to have what I think are the only 2 S&D 7F's in preservation their performance could not be more different. Perhaps a few more years of TLC by Minehead MPD would bring the performance of '809 closer to the performance we enjoy from '808.
     
  17. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    I am acting as liaison with Chris' family. Do any photos exist of him 'doing his thing' on the NYMR?

    Robin
     
  18. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    That's a very unusual livery on that DMU...?
     
  19. Paul Kibbey

    Paul Kibbey Well-Known Member

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  20. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    I will see if I have anything in my extensive collection, and will also ask one or two contacts I still have at the Moors. The news didn't seem to have reached there until I picked it up from here and passed it on, so many thanks to those who posted here.

    Steven
     
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