West Somerset Railway General Discussion

As I understand, the WSR often needs three - four locos in steam regularly (excluding galas etc).

To keep four in steam, you can assume another on washout and another undergoing some form of light repair (such as an intermediate P&V exam). That means six locos, but that gives no contingency from an unplanned failure, also known as the law of sod. So realistically, you need to aim for a constant seven locos nominally available at any one time.

Seven locos in traffic has a couple of implications. The first is that you need to be able to outshop one loco every 15 months or so, so you need resources (money, manpower, space) to do so.

Secondly, because loco overhaul goes through stages of disassembly, refurbishment / repair and reassembly, outshopping a loco every fifteen months probably means working on about three at any one time (two of which might be in a workshop having boiler and mechanical repairs, and the third being stripped outside in preparation for overhaul).

So that suggests that the minimum viable fleet for the West Somerset is ten locos of class 4 or above - split as follows four in steam, one on washout, one undergoing light repair, one spare, one being stripped and two under various stages of heavy overhaul.

In that context, it would be interesting to know what those ten locos might be. From a PLC point of view, I would be very loathe to sell 4110, even in Barry condition, unless I had very firm undertakings with other loco owners about the long-term tie in of ten other locos to the WSR. The trend on other large railways has been for them to gradually acquire locos, so as to ensure long-term security of locomotive provision, rather than to look at disposals. One way or the other you are going to have to pay for the overhauls anyway, so you might as well invest in your own locos!

Tom

 

Thxs for info. Saved me a trip. Will head to south Devon railway instead.

 

Michael,

Perhaps if you could share what you are doing with the wider audience then perhaps others will be inspired.

 

Not sure what your point is here Snifter. Are you suggesting that only those who are active volunteers on the WSR should contribute to this forum? If so, it might certainly reduce some of the traffic.
In Michael's case you are, in any case very wide of the mark, both "front of house" and behind the scenes. But it is surely not necessary for him - or anyone else - to justify the validity of his comments by explaining how he contributes. I don't always agree with him - or you - but you both have a right to contribute. Indeed some of the contributions from people who are not WSR volunteers have been more insightful than some from those who are!
Frank

 

Couldn't possibly be anything to do with the football could it?????

 

Unlikely - the vacancies have been on the roster since it was published nearly a month ago. I do know that there have been many telephone calls made in that time, but to no avail.

 

Nah, couldn't be that. Last I heard there was some matches being played somewhere near the other side of the world, but who'd be interested in that????

 

Well, the football in Russia has been known about a lot longer than a month or so ago On the other hand maybe the lure of France and Le Tour is having a play in it all. Oh! and isn't something happening in SW London, besides the usual demonstrations?

 

What is football? Is it some obscure part of a loco mechanism?

 

Just been to Wickes.
Shortest time it's ever taken me.
If that is caused by Bladder kicking bring it on every day.
As long as I don't have to watch it.
O

 

I believe it may be something to do with the nameplate on certain of Sir Neil .... sorry, Sir Norm..... Who's that fellow?.... you know ..... the LNER chappie before Mr. Thompson .... anyway, one of his less aerodynamic creations ......

 

I know those they have golden balls on their name plates don't they?

 

22 Overpaid millionaire egos kicking a ball around?

 

How did it go today, what with the diesel service not running and the football?

 

If our High Street was anything to go by no one noticed the diesel service didn't run. On a normal Saturday afternoon if I can drive along our High Street at 15MPH with less than 4 stops I think I've done well, this Saturday afternoon I drove along the High Street at almost 30MPH and didn't have to stop once. The place was almost deserted, I think everyone was watching their TVs.

 

Isn't there some vehicle event somewhere in Northamptonshire this weekend as well?

 

Instead of a journey behind the Hymek I decided to head for the Mid-Hants.
Enjoyed a ride behind 9F 92212 and 925 Cheltenham. Brilliant day. <BJ>

 

As ever, Tom's on the mark.

 

I used to live within a 3/4s of a hours drive of the Mid Hants Line but always preferred to do a 200 + trip to the WSR . Last visit to the Mid Hants was when Nunney Castle was visiting , we all had an exhilarating trip over " The Alps ".

 

I dont know why but for some reason the MHR doesnt 'do it' for me

I cant really think why