West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Ah yes, very simple

 

Naah .... very simple is a bucket on a rope!

 

Bearing in mind the supposed G.W habit of never omitting taking water at every possible opportunity some additional columns could add further authenticity .

 

Have you ever read about what happened to another blue tank engine on Sodor?

 

Even the chance of a single headed 7F there seems fairly slim.

 

If 53809 is in ticket this year, and a suitable deal can be done, who knows, a lot depends on what the boiler is like on 53808, and if the boiler inspector would be willing to give an short extension to allow 53808 to run one more year , the last time 53809 visited though, it didnt see much use because it failed early on in the Gala.

 

Martin,

I don't know if you recall the postings of the much missed @Beancounter when he expressed doubts whether large Galas aimed at gricers made any money?

 

Yes I remember that posting and it must be even more relevant now with increased costs for loco movements etc, coal shortages and currently an unknown quantity as to the elasticity of demand for such things due to as someone else described the logistical costs of attending.

 

Not quite so simples when they only have a month to sort them out before the Caley turns up...

 

Are you offering to start the fundraising and dig the trench’s Paul? Chop Chop you’ve only got a month or so

 

Well, you are right inasmuch as it needed doing some decades ago

 

I cant imagine they will take the risk, i was stuck behind 9466 when it ran out of water and dropped its fusible plug at Crowcombe Heathfield a few years ago!

 

It’s big infrastructuritus though Paul.

 

Dear all,

The point about the limited water capacity on 419 is valid. In the timetable I have included water stop time at Williton particularly on Up trips as those runs are where engines have run low on water before. The previous emergency supply at Williton at the MD end of the Swindon Shed has been reassessed and pump upgraded so this can be used for more than just emergencies.

It will be based from Minehead every day for coaling purposes. Some may remember the visit of 41312 where the engine ran from MD-BL then BL-WN-BL then BL-MD, we are doing similar with 419 with a limitation to a max of 3 coaches or the equivalent weight in Goods wagons. We are also aware that the class worked banking turns up Beattock......

We don't anticipate the requirement of steam heating, but with 3 coaches we don't think it will be an issue if it did.

There are discussions with the loco dept to consider if a crew familiarisation day is required also.

This is an engine that previously would have been written off as unsuitable for the line but we have taken steps to make it work out well. It has been all thought through before agreeing to a hire...

Seb Welsh
Gala Planning Team Chairman

 

Fingers crossed that it behaves better for you than it did on it's 2019 tour.

 

Yes looked really good at Swanage but as far as I remember only managed a couple of trips on its own with two coaches. The train I was on was terminated at Corfe on the way back from Norden. Not sure if water was the issue or something else. Always seemed to be plenty of steam (well smoke really!)

 

I recall mention of questionable performance. Given the late survival of the class, I suspect, whatever the issues are, that it's something specific to the preserved loco rather than anything reflecting on the design. Can anyone please provide any insight?

 

I was at the NNR gala in 2019, and it seemed to be having mechanical issues - my one run with it failed at Weybourne. I believe 419's tour of English lines saw a number of issues, but am not sure why.

 

Well, there used to be one at Williton, but doesn't seem to have ever been much enthusiasm for reinstating it and the associated tank. Of course, when you have large engines with sufficient water capacity to do the whole line in one go....