WSR Autumn Steam Gala 27-30 September 2018

The BG is out of use at present.

 

Ah my dream of double head manors has excluded me.

 

The Ops notes which have just been sent to the crews for the weekend state that for the S160 replacement it will be a Class 33 Crompton on Thursday and Friday and a Class 35 Hymek on Saturday and Sunday.

I'm sure a official anou

 

Thxs for info. I’ve updated my timetable in book and look forward to a great gala.

 

Thursday
EX BL
09:05
14:45
EX MD
10:55
15:40

Friday
EX BL
09:05
13:45
EX MD
10:55
15:40

Saturday
EX BL
09:05
13:45
EX MD
10:55
15:40

Sunday
EX BL
09:05
13:45
EX MD
10:55
15:40

 

And the Manors get split up to cover for no.6046

 

Does the 0905 BL remain the same please on Sunday 30th.

Thxs

 

Are all your steam drivers diesel competent? Or do you potentially have to juggle crew rosters when something like that happens? Just curious!

Tom

 

It appears to be, fingers crossed. <BJ>

 

Diesel workings on a Steam Gala??!!

 

Help needed please on where on the line it’s possible to photograph double headed service trains and get the whole train in shot, Ideally away from stations and crowds.

Don’t have lineside pass..

Thxs

 

Better than them hiring in a Voyager to fit the “Cross Country” theme

 

As I understand it drivers have to be passed out to drive particular classes of diesel whereas once you are passed to drive steam you can drive any steam loco. I'm sure someone better qualified will correct me if I'm wrong. If I'm right it's very unlikely that all the WSR steam drivers can drive diesels. They are probably a different set of crews altogether.

 

I agree this seems like a strange decision. It's understandable tomorrow as it looks like 80072 will not be available but for Friday to Sunday there should be 8 steam locos available which should be enough to cover the whole timetable even if it means less double-heading. I can see what they are trying to do though - avoid a complete re-write of the loco roster, but it's not a decision I approve of. I have been to well over 100 steam galas and have never been to one with diesel workings other than to cover for on the day failures which is reasonable.

 

In the field to the west of Blue Anchor. Walk along the beach from Blue Anchor Station, cross the line using the footpath crossing. Lots of scope for photography. Popular, but you can get away if prepared to work at it. All public footpath. Early/late in the day, the beach side works OK.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve.

 

I'd hoped by now the railway would have announced the withdrawal of 6046 from the Gala resulting in the roster changes and, to fulfil the timetable, the cover provided by the Class 33 and 35 diesels.

Steve

 

I've quickly double checked the latest WSR loco dept WTT for Thursday and all of the above info is correct.

Thanks to Steve for the earlier heads up. <BJ>

 

Very few of the steam drivers are diesel competent. Those that are are mostly paid staff who are trained usually for the class 33 and 47 (and 03/09) because these locos are the ones that will be called on at short notice. DEPG drivers are usually only present at weekends, and it is they who drive the hydraulics.

 

This will be my first WSR gala, which I'm looking forward to. Quick question - are the prices on the website the same as the 'on the day' prices?