WSR Spring Steam Gala, Thu 26-Sun 29 March 2015

Latest news from WSR:

"Firstly the good news. 70000 “Britannia” is due at Bishops Lydeard after 14.00 on Friday March 20th ahead of its transformation into 70021 “Morning Star” for the Gala.

Now for the bad. 6695 has been damaged in the road haulier accident and will not be fit to run during the Gala. It is being brought to Williton for damage assessment and repair but may not be viewable when the Williton workshops are open on March 28th and 29th. WSR CME Andrew Forster is working to secure a replacement suitable to the theme of the Gala and as soon as we have any news we will post it."

Steve
(on behalf of Special Events team)

 

Hadn't even occurred to me they'd look for a replacement this close to the event, I await Ness with baited breath. Hopefully something new for me.

 

how about something western, like a 47, or a 50, or failing all others a western where is the mainline reg western anyway,
retires to bomb proof bunker , dons NBC suit steel helmet and waits for first incoming rounds

 

A 47xx or castle class will go down well, failing that, as you say, anything western will do.

 

No 6695 now at Williton.

Steve

 

From a press release from WSR Plc:

"Following the accident involving the low-loader moving GWR 56xx class 0-6-2T 6695 from the Swanage Railway to the West Somerset for the WSR Spring Steam Gala and the damage caused to the 0-6-2T, the WSR has been delighted to obtain another 56xx in line with the Gala's 'Steam in South Wales' theme. No 5643 is the locomotive in question. It is owned by the Furness Railway Trust and normally based at the Ribble Steam Railway in Preston. It has not worked on the Minehead Branch before and brings the number of 'WSR debutants' at the Gala up to three, the others being GWR 2-8-0T no 4270 and LMS 2-6-0 no 46521."

Steve

 

Steve - it will be 5643 - at least unless it has had an identity change in the last couple of months!

Swift work by those involved though

Tom

 

Thanks Tom. Just had an alert from Minehead. Fixed the earlier notice. Shame - getting 5642 would have been an even better piece of work. And yes, great work by Andy Forster and big thanks to Furness Railway Trust too.

Steve

 

Britannia passing Stainswick Lane, near Shrivenham, on her way to the WSR this morning.

 

Yes, the Norton triangle is'nt signalled at the moment so cant exept trains from the national network & run round locos as well, but surly its not rocket science to have ,say, one connecting train in the morning & one at night? carrying the token?!

 

Could anyone please advice weather return tickets(not rovers) will be able to be purchased during the gala, for BL and Crowcombe ?

 

The WSR have special rates for return fares on special events, so yes they are available but at a more premium price.

 

Thanks, Not too worried about premium rates, Just want to support the railway and be able to have a couiple days around crowcombe taking photos.

 

Is there any chance of the other 56 being fixed in time. It would be amasing to have 2 of them.

 

'Britannia' hauled an Engineman's Course at the railway yesterday (Sunday). It ran two round trips from BL to Minehead and return.
The loco carries an 81C shed code.

Ivatt 46521 was used to haul service trains but suffered steaming problems. It managed to complete the rostered services. <BJ>

 

I have been asked by the Railway to point out that although there is a premium rate for Rover Tickets during Galas for 2015 there is no Gala Premium on return and single tickets. There are no discounts for WSRA members, local residents, priv rate etc but an adult return over the whole line will cost £18.50 as it would on any other day.

Hope this clarifies the situation.

Steve

 

Hello. I'm planning on travelling to Washford from Bishops Lydeard on the Friday, with a stop off at Crowcombe Heathfield on the way. What would the price of two singles be?

Thanks

 

Rather unhelpfully, the full range of fares for 2015 does not seem to be published on the official website. Hopefully someone from the right dept of the Railway can help - but I reckon a Bishops Lydeard to Washford adult single costs £10.80 so it'd be £21.60 for two.

Steve

 

Ah, not sure if I worded that correctly, would I be able to buy a single from Bishops Lydeard to Washford and break my journey at Crowcombe Heathfield? Or would I have to buy a single to Crowcombe Heathfield and another from there to Washford? If so, what would the price be then?

Sorry if I've caused any confusion.

 

You are allowed to break your journey at any intermediate station.