WSR S&D Spring Steam Gala, 5-6 and 10-13 March 2016

Before I reply to this post, let me say I'm not having a go at you, or telling you that you're wrong, but giving you an insight into the situation as it happened.

I don't expect you were at Blue Anchor. I was. Firstly, the driver had to report his situation, then a plan devised which was to take the loco off its train and attach to the rear of the down train. This is a very rare move so everyone had to be sure what was happening. Then the down train could be dispatched. This took 20 - 25 minutes. Only then would the 47 have been able to take a token and enter the section. It takes 25 minutes Williton to Blue Anchor, and another 15 or so minutes for the catch points at the up end of the station to be clipped and padlocked so the 47 could enter the up platform, couple to its train and be away. So it probably would only have saved 10 or 15 minutes. As I said before, this is a highly unusual move, probably the first time a loco change has ever occurred in the up platform in the same direction, and had to be done by radio as it could not be signalled so everyone was being ultra-cautious to ensure that no mistakes were made. The free Crosville bus was held at Bishops Lydeard so that anyone needing to get into Taunton could still do so.

 

If it was Paul Britton, he would have suggested 33057!

 

Thanks for the explanation Ian. Very interesting to read.

 

Some interesting railwayana for sale at Minehead today including this barrier line departure card from Paddington.

Anyone help with date? Or even a photo of it in use?

Robin

 

Re using the 47 as a "Thunderbird" - would it have been possible for the 47 to get out of the sidings at Williton if there was already a down train in the platform? I'm currently sitting on such a train at Williton and, while we're not actually ovef the points to the siding, it's very close.

 

A few photos from the first morning of the gala -

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pamw/

 

Does anyone know why Templecombe was delayed in arriving at Blue Anchor?

 

That's a good point. I presume if the down train is clear of the points, it's possible, but I'll leave the definitive answer to a signalman!

 

Keep you're hair on mate , just a bit of constructive critisism, if you're going to take moving pictures of trains ,why not move with them?! And as for the comment about the cab , I'm an ex fireman on there , so it'd be nice if i could see if there's someone I know.

 

My video from Wednesday and Thursday



James

 

A lot of the vid cam guys also take stills. Hard to pan when you are lining-up a well composed picture. I gave up trying to do both years ago!

 

So...there were delays yesterday and again today. Meh...who cares? Certainly not me! On this, my first visit to the WSR, I see only a bunch of dedicated people doing a great job. Station and on-board staff are polite, friendly and knowledgeable. A big shout out to the lovely ladies selling refreshments at Blue Anchor...the fruitcake is amazing! Spent yesterday riding and bagged a few pics today....lovely weather!

 

Can I ask, if it is known, why the driver left Minehead without enough water? Is there a policy on water usage towards the end of the day?

Looking forward to a day at the WSR tomorrow. Some great videos and photos have been taken at this event.

 

Just got back after a fantastic day, I had a great time! Delays werent the end of the world, a line like WSR can be difficult with few passing points over a long length. I managed to keep a reasonable hold on my wallet, only partaking in a model loco from the Watchet stall.

Highlight of the day was probably watching the Bulleid 4f combo coming into Watchet, absolutely brilliant! Also of note was the entertainment provided by the jcb driver at Minehead coaling the std 4, a big cheer from the platform as he half missed!

Briefly glimpsed Robin in the 'box at Minehead, shame it's not a bit more accessible as I'd have said hello.

Thanks everyone involved for a great day - I will be back!


Will pop some pictures up later.

 

A very interesting thread which has given readers much to watch and view. Some lovely old locos in a very pleasant surrounding.

 

What caused todays delays?

QB Baps were very nice - and real coffee on a train, thank you Roy.

Also while I was doing what you should not do while the train was in the station, my 7 year old copped a faceful of Smut (No not a copy of Loaded) By the time I got back my oldest (14) had got the QB Crew to sort him out which I am very grateful for.

 

Two more photos from Thursday...

44422 (vice 53809) approaching Leigh Woods crossing with the freight train



53808 and 34070 climbing past Nornvis Bridge with the heavily delayed 17:20 service from Bishops Lydeard



James

 

Another enjoyable day at the railway and some more photos to share!

Delays wise it wasn't as bad as what I've heard it was yesterday and by the time I got back into Bishops on 80043 we were only about 10 down so not bad! Were there any issues on shed at BL this morning as the 4F and 34098 seemed to come off shed quite late? 34098 was only backing down onto the train with about 2 minutes before the booked departure time, resulting in being 10 minutes down straight away, and by the time Crowcombe was reached it had grown to 15 minutes. Some smart work deciding to pass 34070 and 80043 at Blue Anchor and not Minehead (and I hear 92214 was held at Crowcombe to pass the 7Fs rather than at BL, although this did mean a backwards run for the 9F back to MD) to reduce the delays from 30 minutes to 5! Although I don't know what happened in the afternoon, 34098 passed Castle Hill towards Williton almost on time but 53809 the other way had managed to get 20/25 minutes down! If someone can enlighten me as to the cause I would be most appreciative! But I imagine some quick work from station staff got the delay, as I've already said, down to just 10 minutes, so again, not bad!

I'll be back down again tomorrow to enjoy the final day of the gala, and finally, photos from today!

44422 running along Platform 1 at Bishops Lydeard before backing onto it's train.


53809 & 53808 make light work of the climb out of Watchet.


48624 & 34098 'Templecombe' pass Kentsford with the semi-stopper service.


44422 & 34070 'Manston' depart Williton.


48624 and 53808 meet at Williton.


92214 approaches Roebuck Crossing on the climb to Crowcombe.

 

Doesn't really matter where the failure was and not in hindsight at all,but the lack of a thunderbird diesel take your pick of which one seems to be poor planning,
Regardless of taking locos off at blue anchor or where ever it happened,
It can be deflected all people like but for all the good bits of this gala, you cannot ignore the bad bits with your blinkers on ,just because you don't agree with them,that unfortunately is becoming a trait.

 

Actually, I can, and most people seemingly are. I didn't hear a single complaint about late running, I certainly wasn't bothered.