West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Yes please, the more positive debate we get on all the options and the more people with clever brains thinking all the issues through the better.

One note from feedback already received is that my comment regarding the current signal box is wrong, its in fact not large enough to take a frame big enough for any expansion in any form of more than a couple of levers so we are most likely into a new signal box regardless of the final form of the track layout. Thanks for that Robin.

 

I have put this up purely and simply for people to sign if they so wish to.


https://www.change.org/p/paul-conib...utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

 

Are there any advantage to having pts without LSP permits

 

Only if you intend to work lineside on the railway.

 

You can volunteer on the railway in a role which requires PTS, and then go on the line as required in the course of your duties. That's the only purpose of it, essentially.

 

Also if you are volunteering at Minehead, Williton, Bishop's Lydeard, Dunster yards (also most likely Washford as well) areas as well as the lineside in what people will think the meaning of lineside, so not only on the main running lines as it includes all the sidings, yards etc as well (all areas Jo Public aren't allowed to go more or less), winding the clock on Minehead Station platform you need one, as you are within a set distance of the running line, and also if you are standing on the platform painting the white line along the edge.

 

Having read Andy's submission, I think that it is worthy of wider consideration and therefore would recommend that others interested in this subject read his submission.

 

Branch lines of Somerset on BBC radio Somerset 2moro, not sure on time.

 

Very interesting particularly on the operational issues of the two loops.

 

Sad day the withdrawal of LSPS from 2018,
The Railway have effectively stabbed loyal supporters of the line in the back.
I think they have the right to be upset, Especially as this started as a rumour and it seems to have been done in secret,
I wouldn't blame them if they didn't come to the railway at all anymore, Its narrow-minded to think that they will come back and want to stand in galleries getting the same bog standard shots the freeloading public get, All this seems to stem from is going after the golden cow of Scotsman, but what do I know.
But I agree it seems like people are being forced out one by one to run a Dartmouth Steam railway operation, I mean this started as a rumour and there's a lot more rumours flying around currently they could be true as well.

 

Do you seriously expect a commercial company to conduct all their business in public? Are you seriously suggesting that the WSR PLC deliberately started the rumour? The reality is that, given the widespread trespass by the public in pursuit of a closeup look at FS, no responsible organisation would do anything differentto what the WSR PLC have done. Ultimately the WSR PLC and their insurers have acted with responsibility and had no realistic alternative. To suggest otherwise shows that you just don't understand the realities of the situation. I have no doubt whatsoever that the WSR PLC board are very unhappy about having to impose the restrictions. What else did you expect them to do in the circumstances? Expect other heritage railways to follow suit.

 

I agree that the WSR is on a road already trod by many railways, and that others are also likely to follow. However, it is possible for railways to impose specific conditions for specific events or circumstances - it's not completely clear to me why that wasn't possible in this case if FS was the specific concern.

 

If the rationale is the board are worried about trespassing with flying scotsman, aren't they shutting the gate after the horse has bolted?

 

I don't doubt it was the insurers who are calling the tune. My theory is that it is the sheer scale of the potential problem that has brought matters to a head. Preventing mass tresspass is likely to be a big headache. In fact someone, not on here, suggested to me that the whole FS visit could be seen as a poisoned chalice. It is easy to say that railways can deal with it. How, exactly, do you think the tresspass problem can be handled?

 

For FS, with great difficulty and possibly by barring lineside access - or by charging a super-premium for it (as the KWVR have).

Generally, I would suggest by regularising and controlling access in the way that railways have recently done, charging for admission and insisting on a level of safety training - as they have been.

 

It really is not that easy even if the insurers can be convinced. There are a large number of public footpaths crossing the line and even if temporary closures were in place experience shows that they would be widely ignored anyway. Cost is not going to deter those will trespass anyway. Good luck to the WSR PLC in running a successful event but don't be surprised if it gets curbed or cancelled.

 

In other news 26043 is going to the diesel gala, excellent choice there nice type 2 to go up the hills and I THINK new class for the line

 

Already had it on SDR but will be good on WSR

 

SVR did it admirably and AFAIK did not upset anyone.

 

You sure? Didn't know 43 had been there