West Somerset Railway General Discussion

What types of coach are C, D and E? The others are obviously TSOs and assume these 3 include buffets and brake but can't really make out which is which!

Steven

 

Does anyone know who the bod was out touting 'spare' tickets at Williton and on a down train today? From what I could make out he was a coach driver from Bristol that will be bringing 50 at a time 3 or 4 times a week for FS

 

C is the Accessible coach with wheelchair space, D is the Brakevan and E is the Buffet car. The seats in the Accessible coach are not shown.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #54

Watchet 1871 / 2017

A very well known photo of B&E Railway No. 74 which has been reproduced many times but is delightful.

Reference points are the eastern harbour walls.

I found the 'now' hard to produce. I assume that the original was taken from the higher groundcabove the station which is now the back of house gardens. The 'then' does not include the running line through Watchet as it looks over it, down onto the quay surface.

1871


2017

 

Wouldn't the money taken just be diluted over 4 events ?

 

Different class than the other one. Is it just me , but I find these broad gauge 4.4.0 s quite good looking! Notice the engine crew in 'whites', this was the norm then for a few years, white corduroy.

 

I think the original was taken from the path that leads to Doniford, behind the Yacht Club building. I don't think that terrain has changed since the 1800's.
There is a lot of foliage there now, but you might find the right spot.
I've often wondered if anything remains of the BG loco or wagon turntables on the quay - buried under the tarmac, perhaps? Please dig around!

The first couple of seconds of this provide a clue:

 

The old 25" map shows the turntables still in situ, which gives a good clue as to where the photo was taken from ( http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18&lat=51.1821&lon=-3.3282&layers=168&b=1 ). There also appears to be the remains of an earlier masonry structure in the turntable pit.

 

The NLS map service is wonderful! The large scale map edition doesn't show the loco turntable (but does show the wagon turntables). The loco turntable was at the end of the short spur between the harbour lines and the "main line".

Years ago Chris van den Arend gave me an old map he unearthed depicting the railway before extension to Minehead. At his request I re-drafted the rather poor quality original using Rotring pens onto drafting film (as we did in those days ) I recently scanned that rather large copy and I attach two relevant sections. One shows the position of the turntable (and the engine shed). Note that no pointwork is shown for the line from the turntable to the shed - that's how it was on the old map itself.

Steve

 

Would that be a copper cap to the chimney ?

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #55

Watchet Methodist chapel 1873 / 2017

The chapel is a prominent feature of a number photographs in this series after it was erected in 1871. This is another view with great broad gauge detail, especially for wagon officionados.

In the 2017 view, the chapel is a bit less 'spikey' and the direction of change in 20th century transport is apparent.

1873


2017

 

I note that the departures board at Stogumber says "Och Aye The Noo !". I must add "Oi Oi Saveloy !" to the departures board next time I am at Waverley Station.

 

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Och aye the noo

I don't think I need comment further.

 

60103 Flying Scotsman has just arrived at sunny Minehead with the first of a series of special trains. The engine looked superb in the sunshine, hauling a rake of six blood and custard coaches and two chocolate and creams at the rear.

Minehead had been with heaving with folk awaiting the arrival of the engine. Like it or not the loco certainly draws the crowds. All seats sold out for the daytime journeys.

Well done to the WSR. <BJ>

 

I would have thought a stereotypical Yorkshire phrase would be more suitable for a Yorkshire-born-and-bred loco

 

Yorkshireman was approached to provide a suitable slogan but the marketing budget wouldn't stretch to covering his fees.

 

I would certainly prefer to see railway wagons parked on that area....

 

It would be hard for me to claim complete innocence in this case.....

Robin

 

Notice from Minehead webcam it was not turned. Is it too heavy & or long for the turntable? At such a high profile event I would have thought the railway would like it pointing the "right way" if possible.

 

RAOTFLOL!