WSR Autumn Steam Gala, Thu 6 to Sun 9 October 2016

The question is, was there another after that?

 

The 4F was scheduled to double-head the 15:45 service from MD to BL with 1450, but it seems that there was a problem when the loco was on the turntable. Rumour was that it had hit a buffer stop, so 1450 operated to BL alone.

We had two very enjoyable days at the Gala and thank all those who put in so much hard work to make it possible.

I have two souvenir tickets for the Autocoach run from BL to Allerton Bridge which I will happily give to anybody who wants them. Send me a PM if interested.

Stef.

 

Sat outside Williton. Everything is over 1/2 hour late. Nightmare trying to work out whats going on. Not impressive I have to say!

 

1450 was stabled inside Kinlet hall at BL this morning so the first auto ran late that seems to be what kicked it all off

 

Has the turntable been used at all today? Plenty of services have been leaving Minehead tender first.

 

The auto was late into Bishops Lydeard by about 20 mins Kinlet hall seemed to struggle going out of lydeard and slipped to a stand coming out of Watchet got going again but was a slog up the bank not helped by a 15mph Tsr still a good gala and the trains seemed quite busy

 

Yes the Turntable was in use today however it was planned and announced that some engines would be tender first. This was due to the Taunton – Bishops Lydeard GWR shuttle using the BL to Taunton section all day meaning that the Triangle will not be available for turning today or tomorrow. There is a page on the Web-site telling you which engines are facing which way.

 

Was on the last run back to Minehead tonight behind 88. It was like living a scene from Titfield Thunderolt.... you know the one where there's no engine on the front. The pace we travelled it led me to believe that even more than the lack of sound from the front end. Might as well get out and push sprung to mind. Got off at Watchet and was amazed to see there was an engine there after all


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Shame you got off at Watchet - the loco sounded g-r-e-a-t coming up to Washford just now.

Steve

 

Interesting.... did someone else start driving it then? I watched it leave Watchet literally silently, you can normally hear an engine for ages after they leave there but once it got round the corner you couldn't hear anything but the valves lifting..:. Probably from the well stoked fire that wasn't required


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Thanks Andy. I was aware of that page but the reality doesn't seem to match at all. Even the first service of the day was tender first. Which locos were actually turned today?

 

I got the last train from Minehead all the way to Bishops Lydeard and that was great. A pannier in the dark is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, although arriving more than 40 minutes late at BL isn't quite as pleasant. I was also on the eventful train where Kinlet struggled up Washford bank which seemed to surprise all on board.

However despite the late running it was an enjoyable Gala and despite complaints about the locos I didn't find any of them to be lacking, thanks to everyone involved, maybe next time they can put the engines into the shed in the right order!

PS does anyone know why the trains got delayed by as much as they did, the pannier left MD 25 late and arrived at BL almost 45 late.

 

Some were turned 360 which was planned so people could see engines being turned on the table (always popular) but as I recall (I was around the shed helping so didn't take too much notice) 44422 & Pannier were chimney to BL, Praire & 53808 Chimney to MD I didn't note the others. However there was a move in the schedule this evening planned to turn 44422, 6960 & 4936 on the Triangle after the services so I can only assume most engines will tomorrow be facing as per the plan. Sorry I can't be much more help than that.

 

Can anyone confirm loco(s) being turned on the triangle this evening?

 

Happy to - I was Bishops Lydeard signalman yesterday afternoon.

Raveningham and 44422 are chimney to MD, 6435 is bunker to MD.

Robin

 

Kinlet?

 

Apologies, but I can't remember. Age, I suppose

However, it did NOT turn on the triangle yesterday evening, so if you can find a shot of it at the end of the afternoon yesterday, it is still the same way round.

Robin

 

In that case I am pretty confident it is chimney first out of BL. Others will have photos to prove this.

 

Just a reminder that the breakfast service is available on the 09.53 from Bishops Lydeard and the 11.55 from Minehead. I am signalman at Minehead today, (so will probably manage a Morrisons breakfast) but I wonder if yesterday's 67-and-three-farthings people served will be beaten? Perhaps readers can help?

Robin

 

Had to work all weekend but managed to get to minehead for an hour, great to see 5542 and 4635. Had a ride in SDJR carriage, so comfortable, best £2 spent.