If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2014
    Messages:
    11,247
    Likes Received:
    17,947
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Barrister
    Location:
    Stogumber
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Institute of Railway Operators - operations Experience Course at West Somerset Railway

    Members of the South West Section attended an experience course run by the West Somerset Railway today focussed on train operations. Activities included shunting and coupling of BR Mark 1 Coaches, train preparation and despatch.

    Robin Moira White

    IRO Members with special train at Crowcombe Heathfield
    IMG_0844.JPG

    Lifting a buckeye coupling
    IMG_0795.JPG

    Connecting BR Mark 1 coaches
    IMG_0797.JPG

    Shunting
    IMG_0801.JPG

    The missing link?
    IMG_0804.JPG

    Train preparation
    IMG_0809.JPG

    Right away! (1)
    IMG_0811.JPG


    Right away! (2)
    IMG_0827.JPG

    Member receiving instruction from Paul Fleet MIRO
    IMG_0836.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2017
  2. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2014
    Messages:
    11,247
    Likes Received:
    17,947
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Barrister
    Location:
    Stogumber
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    West Somerset Railway - Then, then and Now #101

    Leigh Bridge Loop 1934 / 1973 / 2017

    The second of Bob Prance's photos from 1973 takes us back to Leigh Loop between Crowcombe and Stogumber which featured earlier in the series. The 1972 shot reveals the distant signal protecting Leigh level crossing behind the photographer. Perhaps it was just out of shot in the 1934 view or perhaps when renewed as a BR(W) tubular post it had been repositioned.

    I love this location for the sweeping curves. A wonderful secluded rural spot to watch the train snaking through the reverse curves.

    Copyright Brunel University / Robert Prance / Robin White

    1934
    IMG_0875.JPG

    1973
    IMG_0763.JPG

    2017
    IMG_4602.JPG
     
  3. Paul Kibbey

    Paul Kibbey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2014
    Messages:
    1,165
    Likes Received:
    1,402
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Land of Sodor
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    And the drift mine in S. Wales , I do believe it's what fuels the WSR .
     
    Yorkshireman likes this.
  4. Paul Kibbey

    Paul Kibbey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2014
    Messages:
    1,165
    Likes Received:
    1,402
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Land of Sodor
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Nothing new about stop , look , listen . They were about in Watchet in the early 60s but obviously not new and shiny .
     
    Yorkshireman likes this.
  5. Paul Kibbey

    Paul Kibbey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2014
    Messages:
    1,165
    Likes Received:
    1,402
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Land of Sodor
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I used to live in Foxcote Colliery Cottages near Radstock , often seen on the coal tip picking coal , possibly more stone than coal , " we wuz poor but 'appy " also alert for all the missiles flying out of the fire place , holy rugs .
     
  6. Dave Stapleton

    Dave Stapleton Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2014
    Messages:
    388
    Likes Received:
    678
    Location:
    UK
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It looks like the new BA camera is being affected by the wind? The picture is very shaky at the moment, so it might need to be fixed more securely. Anyone else notice this?
     
  7. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2008
    Messages:
    5,806
    Likes Received:
    2,649
    Occupation:
    Ex a lot of things.
    Location:
    Near where the 3 Ridings meet
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The Catch points seem to have been very mobile.
    First throwing off one way then the other.
     
  8. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2014
    Messages:
    11,247
    Likes Received:
    17,947
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Barrister
    Location:
    Stogumber
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Please see the diagram below.

    You need to be aware that the gradient is unrelenting and significant from Williton up to Crowcombe. That is, down in the direction the photographer is looking.

    The left hand line is the reversible line, in use for all trains when the box is switched out. The right hand loop line only came into use for passing trains, so Spring points could only be provided in the right hand line.

    The set of trap points, slightly further away, are worked from the box and have a facing point lock as can be seen from the coupling Board provided to protect it. Their function was to prevent an up train signalled into the loop meeting an incoming Down train if it overran.

    The nearer set of spring catch points, just beyond the crossing of the turnout are just that, sprung with no FPL and will normally be run through in the trailing direction by a departing up train. The turnout would then be left set for the loop until 'train out of section' was received from Crowcombe. Exactly as we do at Blue Anchor with the set of spring catches in the up loop there. These would come into play if a vehicle became detached from that up train and ran away back down the gradient towards Leigh.

    Simples.

    Can we get on with building the box, please?

    (Diagram below from Ian Coleby's line history)

    Robin

    IMG_0882.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2017
    Yorkshireman and granmaree like this.
  9. granmaree

    granmaree Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2015
    Messages:
    541
    Likes Received:
    497
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I noticed it yesterday, although the canopy is absolutely rock solid in average conditions it probably has a tremor with these strong gusts which is exaggerated in the lens of the camera?
     
  10. I believe the webcam folks have been advised.

    Steve
     
    Paul Kibbey and granmaree like this.
  11. Bayard

    Bayard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2015
    Messages:
    1,826
    Likes Received:
    3,871
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    What is the construction protruding from the hedge by the signal in the 1973 picture?
     
  12. Andy Norman

    Andy Norman Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2015
    Messages:
    737
    Likes Received:
    4,393
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The selection of 9 & 10 looks very unusual and not something I have seen before. Was that due to a small frame/not enough levers ?
     
    MellishR likes this.
  13. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2009
    Messages:
    8,068
    Likes Received:
    5,165
    On reflection, it might actually make sense. When the gate is closed the sign on it tells you not to pass it. When the gate is fully opened, lying close to the fence, that sign is inconspicuous and the instruction to take care is relevant. The only question then is why in the picture the gate was half open.
     
  14. Nick Gough

    Nick Gough Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2006
    Messages:
    1,433
    Likes Received:
    340
    Location:
    Northamptonshire
    Were points 4 and 5 motor worked? They don't appear to have separate FPL lever numbers.
     
  15. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2014
    Messages:
    11,247
    Likes Received:
    17,947
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Barrister
    Location:
    Stogumber
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    No.

    They had a mechanical FPL worked from the same lever - an economiser lock.

    Robin
     
  16. Another Yorkshireman

    Another Yorkshireman Member Friend

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2014
    Messages:
    301
    Likes Received:
    688
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Looks like a combine harvester in the field beyond ??
     
    Yorkshireman likes this.
  17. Fish Plate

    Fish Plate New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2015
    Messages:
    137
    Likes Received:
    801
    Location:
    The Northern Hemisphere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    There is a former GWR branch line in Wales that is embracing its heritage, and actively replacing the old BR and modern signage.

    https://www.facebook.com/rheidolrailway/posts/1897374650278217

    Surely the WSR could take a leaf out of their book? Indeed, the whole presentation and ambience of the VoR has been greatly enhanced over the last few years, which has won it awards and plaudits, and it should be stand-out example to the rest of the preservation movement as to what can be done when the desire is there.
     
  18. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2014
    Messages:
    11,247
    Likes Received:
    17,947
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Barrister
    Location:
    Stogumber
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Your last 5 words say it all.

    Robin
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2017
    Fish Plate likes this.
  19. Forestpines

    Forestpines Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    Messages:
    1,681
    Likes Received:
    2,438
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Somewhere in the UK
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I think that's a shame - I was very pleased to see, when I went up to Devil's Bridge a few years ago, that there was still at least one Rail Alphabet sign visible. To get rid of all the 1964-1988 signage because it doesn't fit some preconceived notion of what the VoR's heritage should be, amounts to destroying the line's genuine heritage.
     
  20. Last edited by a moderator: Oct 22, 2017

Share This Page