West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Going back to problems with the WSR timetables, how much thought is given to the timing of buses? When watching the webcam at BL the bus often seems to arrive just as the train is about to leave. Often the train will then be held to see if passengers from the bus want to catch the train.

 

5 minutes after I posted my last comment - I rest my case.

(Screenshot from WSR.org).

 

Indeed - you'd think the bus company would ensure their buses arrive a good ten minutes before train departure

Steve

 

If the bus arrives at the same time as a train departure and often the train is held for possible train travellers, then the sensible answer might be retard the train departure by a few minutes. Presumably train departures are not subject to road congestion but other factors.

 

More seriously, the current timetable, in a way, allows for such delayed departures but the built-in recovery time becomes a lengthy wait down the line if the train gets away on time. Then again, on wet days, the recovery time comes in handy, if the engine takes a while to "find its feet". One day, we might see work done to shorten the times at passing stations, albeit the solution could be quite expensive to implement.

Steve

 

I think the railway cannot run to suit the bus or the bus company. Also, the bus may be late or very late. In any case, the railway advises passengers to arrive a good 15-20 mins (not "a few minutes"!) before their intended train departure, and since the bus calls every half an hour after 9am until mid-afternoon, passengers using the bus might usefully catch the bus that arrives well before train departure time. The railway might be right to consider passengers on a bus that is arriving as a train pulls out are intending for the next train.

Steve

 

In my estimation, the 28 bus connection times from Taunton Rly Stn to & from the WSR are pretty darn good (if there's not too much road traffic).
For those arriving in between WSR trains, it just re-inforces the need for more activities to 'do' at BL
Shop, cafe, Gauge Museum, model rly - what else?

 

Does it? I'd usually want to arrive around 30 mins before departure, to allow for any road delays, ticket office, queues and so on. The WSR is not a commuter railway where people run to beat the closing train doors...most people are happy to sit a-while, have a cuppa, wander round the museum, look round the shop, chat to the staff, look at the wonderful flowerbeds. First two trains off Lydeard usually in platform well before departure time so time to have a gander at the loco, maybe a footplate visit. Heck, how to fit all that into half-an-hour. The WSR is a fab railway, in its way as good as any other. And nigh on 200000 visitors a year seem to agree.

Steve

 

Deleted .

 

You will be pleased to know that we have recently exchanged emails with Buses of Somerset about coordinating things better. This has been a positive exchange and commercial will be liaising with them as we develop next year's timetable
Ian Coleby

 

Good, Ian. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, it is said.

 

That's good news. Always worth talking to them. I remember going to the bus company in Taunton back in the early 1980s (when I was the WSR's publicity manager) at a time when relations between us were not the best, what with the NUR issue. I forget whether it was the Southern National or the Western National years. Anyway, I do recall the receptionist's face when I announced I was from the WSR...but the meeting was very cordial and very constructive, leading to the 'Roadrailer' joint promotion. Always best to talk. I hope good comes from the recent email exchanges.

Steve

 

Can our resident WSR signwriter tell what livery 9351 is being outshopped in? There is a picture on WSR.org showing lining tape in situ.

 

Is there anywhere in West Somerset that still has the machine that allows the purchase of stamps. Like outside a post office during closed periods.

Will 34046 run as Braunton or 34052 during its time on the WSR?

 

(a) This isn't Google!

(b) Do you have a link to the Braunton announcement?

 

Announced in the WSR PLC board minutes

 

http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm#1502

Steve

 

Now then...

 

Some sort of crazy, elaborate drinking game?!!

 

Exactly!