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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. Captain Fantastic

    Captain Fantastic Member

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    So what's your plan for an alternative then?
     
  2. 6960 Raveningham Hall

    6960 Raveningham Hall Member Friend

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    Still no update on the Steam Dreams tour to the WSR with 61306 'Mayflower' on 16th April.

    Seems to me that the train will be taken from Bishops Lydeard to Watchet by diesel and the passengers will spend a couple of hours there instead of Minehead as originally advertised.
     
  3. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thank you.

    The WSR has been brought low by, amongst other things, sone very poor decisions in the past.

    Hopefully, we now begin the path back.

    I would challenge every Nat Pres reader to pause and think how you can help as we get back on our feet.

    Plan a visit (for you and a friend?); join the WSRA (there’s radical!); buy a share or two; or send us an on-line donation (however small or large) towards the work to put 9351 back together (and make the UK Govt add 25% for gift aid).

    Every little helps.

    Like this post when you have worked out how YOU are going to help.

    and if you have already, thank you.

    Robin
     
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  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    It is amazing that it has taken so long for that fact to be recognised and accepted by enough people to cause a change of direction. "There are none so blind as those who will not see" comes to mind.

    As for 'picky' comments about TnT operations, turning/running round at Watchet and the such-like, I don't see why the WSR doesn't put whatever 'spin' it likes on their restart programme. If that involves a bit of poetic licence about their trains or historical authenticity to bring back the public then I'm more than happy to give them the slack to do it. And if that involves non GWR events that brings in the money and the people then so be it.

    With the Butlins connection, I'm surprised that, for example, the WSR hasn't re-invited the A1X 32678 back to Minehead given its earlier life as an exhibit at the camp.
     
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  5. Fair comment. The words in any publicity need to appeal, most of the time, to the general public not the enthusiast.

    As for 32678...

    Steve
     
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  6. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    As for 32678...

    It has been back on the WSR but is really a bit small.

    On the other hand, in another life I am a Director of the K&ESR and have responsibility at Board level there, working with The Terrier Trust for the ‘Terrier 150’ project to restore 32678 (just out of traffic) and 32670 (been out for a bit longer).

    https://www.terriertrust.org.uk/

    Big announcement about that likely next week...

    Robin

    (Claiming thread-drift prize of the week.)

    DA4A7E40-6CC4-4703-B41F-BAEEC49A9C33.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2019
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  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes - I knew about 2004, hence my comment about inviting it back. Too small? Well, yes, 0P limits options but it depends on what it is asked to do and the WSR is after all a branch line. Branch line galas are popular and the WSR lends itself to not necessarily being used along its entire length as is being demonstrated currently?
     
  8. Indeed! I reckon most non-enthusiasts in 2004 didn't know or care much that the loco was once on static display at Butlins, despite it being a useful story for the publicity people. Those most valued non-enthusiast customers did, as I recall, enjoy seeing and travelling behind such a tiny machine, even if limited to round trips of seven miles. It'd be good to see 32678 back one day.

    Steve
     
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  9. Steven Harris

    Steven Harris New Member

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    Maybe ten years or so ago there was a two/three (?) day Class 59 event hauled from Westbury to East Cranmore. Vintage buese ferried travellers to the Mendip Rail depot at Merehead with more 59's. In the storage sidings IIRC they had Terriers with guard vans offering rides up the incline. In all a great day.
     
  10. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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    How would the 47 get on the rear as no loop at Watchet?
     
  11. 6960 Raveningham Hall

    6960 Raveningham Hall Member Friend

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    Thought they might top and tail with a WSR diesel. I think the only alternatives are for the pax to spend a couple of exciting hours at Williton or Norton Fitzwarren! Alternatively, jump off at Stogumber for tea and cake.
     
  12. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    Noted. I will, somewhat obviously, be there as a channel for any future requests...

    It will be remembered that a Mk1 coach made the opposite journey for Santa in December.

    Robin
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2019
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  13. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Sorry, you have misunderstood. I'm not criticising the arrangements at all. I am criticising the inaccurate description of them on the website, referring to turning when what they mean is running round and implying that top-and-tail was part of normal branch line operation.
     
  14. Captain Fantastic

    Captain Fantastic Member

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    Fair enough
     
  15. Paul Kibbey

    Paul Kibbey Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure Watchet will apprieciat the extra bussines .
     
  16. granmaree

    granmaree Member

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    Last edited: Mar 27, 2019
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  17. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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    Hope it’s a big vintage bus then.
     
  18. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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    What is hauling the Quantock Belle please on the 31st.

    Which way is 6960 facing please.
     
  19. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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    Ah I guess they could, but surely means the train having to go back to Bl after to stable out the way. Then head back to pick up passengers.
     
  20. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    'Bus Connections to Minehead'

    It gets more like First Great Western every day. ;) <BJ>
     
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