WSR Autumn Steam Gala 27-30 September 2018

I bought one. Not cheap, £5.00 + p&p. Very well produced and comprehensive. Almost too complicated for me!
Never made it to the Gala because of the weather, so I’m prepared to sell it for a knockdown price .

 

Great gala, managed two morning visits before work on Thurs and Fri. Camelot and Braunton were obviously highlights but the double-headed Manors were the absolute stars - such an incredible sound.

I'm hoping to be back up at the line on Wednesday for the normal running day. Any of the visitors likely to still be around/running/being loaded up that day?

 

There’s a path for Camelot to go back mainline today, collection by diesel. And I think I read somewhere 41312 will be leaving for the south Devon railway on Tuesday

 

To work on the SDR, or just attention at the Buckfastleigh works? I shall not be a million miles away if she's going to work on the line - just love those Ivatts, the classic branch line loco!

John

 

To work on the SDR while 6412 goes to the Battlefield Line http://www.southdevonrailwayassociation.org/News-and-Press-Releases/Loco-Roster-October-2k18.html

 

41312 on low loader at BL currently. Not sure when it leaves

 

Just left

 

Here my photos, Saturday 29th September
First time my full line rides,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/121360005@N05/sets/72157698711620322

 

On its way to the SDR

 

Camelot, homeward bound. https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/45036405781/in/dateposted-public/

 

This was my first WSR gala - I went on Saturday and had a great time! One of the highlights for me was actually the Hymek diesel - the driver kindly invited me into the cab at Bishops Lydeard just as the Standard 4 tank was arriving, which made for a unique photo/video opportunity (see below).
I also enjoyed the 7F & Battle of Britain double header and of course the bright sunshine helped too.
As others have said, I think the Mid Hants provide some of the best gala timetables with the loco allocations available for free, I think it's something the WSR could learn from. Also, my ride in the Quantock Belle set was a bit squashed in standard class as most of that set is first class and not many people wanted to pay the £2 supplement, so there were a number of empty first class seats while the standard class carriages were full (just like on many trains on the 'big railway'!) I think the Mid Hants also do well here waiving the first class supplement for the weekend.

All in all, a great day out though - thanks so much to everyone who was involved in putting the event on. I'll be back for another WSR gala soon!

Here's my video from Saturday:

 

Another excellent gala! Here's 7822 arriving at Washford on Thursday.
There's lots more of my photos of the gala here http://www.dragon-sanctuary.co.uk

 

Very enjoyable day on Sunday, which my wife and 5 year old daughter also accompanied me on. The £2 kids fare was a great idea. Missed the chance to ride behind Camelot, but the double headed manors were fantastic. Also my first visit to the set up in Norton Fitzwarren, hadn't realised how extensive it was! The timetable was frequent, interesting and seemed resilient - an issue at previous galas! Great variety of locos and the organisers did well to replace those unavailable at the last minute.
There were a few more speed restrictions compared to my last visit. Being an SVR member I know full well how difficult (& expensive) infrastructure issues can be - the West Somerset is a few miles longer too. I hope their well publicised political and financial issues are resolved so a good long term plan can be implemented to take the line forward - it really is a gem and needs some stability.
From loadings on Sunday this event looked a success with all trains comfortably loaded. I look forward to a return next year.

 

My footage from the Saturday and Sunday. I think the highlight, for me, has to be the rather monstrous soundtrack provided by 6960 up Washford Bank on the Sunday evening. I hope you enjoy it!

 

I wonder what the theme of next years spring gala could be.

 

From Saturday

Further photos from Saturday can be found at https://paulsimpson.zenfolio.com/p72480955. Visited Crowcombe Heathfield Station twice for refreshments during the day.
Spent Sunday travelling and had very enjoyable run behind 7822 from Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. On the return behind 7820 we stopped between Blue Anchor and Dunster so the crew could put out a lineside fire.