West Somerset Railway General Discussion

So do I, "125 - This is the age of the train".

 

Or in Somerset:

'....this is the stage of the rain...'

Robin

 

Surely not on the WSR - nothing much older than about 90 in regular service is there? It's all a bit modern image

Tom

 

Are you talking stock or volunteers?

 

The rake of the platform shelter roof is different.......
Now where is my coat?

 

Oh what a surprise, my Grandparents lived in Wyndham Road, Watchet from 1947 and a regular Sunday trip was by bus there. As a young sprog in 1955 a trip to the yard via Goviers Lane was a delight for me. Often a pannier on the pickup in the yard and ships also. The crane they travelled along the key side was worth watching. A summer service would see large Prairies or Moguls. Sometimes 5525 a long term TN resident would struggle down the branch with 5 or 6. Happy Days now only vague memories.

 

I have the same memories, Ken!
G-parents lived on Greenway Road (house still there & un-disturbed) so we went by train.
Fresh bread from the bakery, now a restaurant by the Mineral Railway station; lunch in the machine gun emplacement, now inaccessible & maybe, if I was a good boy, a clotted cream ice cream, now a wood-working shop, by the Station.
Happy days indeed!
Thanks.

PS I think Grandads fare was 2/6d, so probably five bob for the two of us for a day out!

 

The visiting loco for 60103 visit with a Scottish connection?

Royal Scot maybe??

 

Given the size of Watchet Harbour I'm surprised that there was time to shunt there in the absence of a signal box

 

For the FS extravaganza, I have three locos in mind but they àre all in the middle of a deep overhaul. My avatar shows one of them.

Perhaps one day.

 

Great then and now as always.

 

A similar shot from c.1980 would be different again; no rail lines in the foreground but Streets Transport lorries all parked up where the car park now is, and piles of timber unloading from ships. That's how it was when I first knew the area.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

 

Today's West Somerset Free Press reports that the Quantack Brewery situated on the Broadguage Business Park next to BL station has been saved from administration by an external investment of funds. They state that they plan to produce a special brew to celebrate the visit by Flying Scotsman in September.

 

That is good news.

 

It's more than good news, it's wonderful news !!!!!

Whoever stepped in ought to be knighted.

 

My memories of Watchet are from the late 50s and early 60s , what a fantastic place for a 5/9 year old to lad holiday with his grandparents . Grandad was caretaker in the Council Offices at the top of Swain Street , with a perfect view of the stations comings and goings . As for the harbour , the coal trains had finished and the coal was transported by lorries to the paper mill ex the two channel boats , I think their names were Rushlights and Radstock . There was also wood pulp and esparto grass so Grandad told me for the mill as well . He being a confirmed socialist was very pleased to explain what the hammer and sickle signified on the funnel of a ship , this was all loaded onto wagons that were shunted by an agricultural tractor on the quayside . If I'd been a good boy I would get some of the best ice cream from the Milk Bar opposite the Council Offices . Very happy memories .

 

I for one have no interest in The Scottish Engine. A complete waste of tax payers money.

 

Harrumph ye not.

PH

 

Maybe & you are not alone but the several points in favour of having it visit are rather amply demonstrated by the SVR experience last autumn and similarly on the other railways elsewhere.

 

But flyingscostman make a lot more money than any other locomotive. She is the world's most famous steam locomotive. She is a unique locomotive and only one left of her class. The amount money she makes for heritage when she visits them. Would benefit to the railways help to pay for overhauls and to pay for other projects. She symbols the national love in steam locomotives and like Mallard she is a household name. Like me there are people who want to see a A1, A2, A3 and A4. Together in steam and she beings people together people who share a interest in steam locomotives.