WSR Spring Steam Gala, Thu 26-Sun 29 March 2015

Dose any body know what happened to the door droplight on one of the RMB as mid afternoon on Sat as one of the droplights had cardboard/hardboard put across it.

 

A simple case of the window got smashed, and this was the quickest fix to keep the vehicle in traffic. Not wishing to be pedantic, but it's not actually a RMB, it's a TSO which the WSR has converted to a buffet.

 

The drop light smashed when someone lowered it at (IIRC) Dunster - in fairness, rather than needing to be pushed down it would just drop - bang! - when you tried to open it. I guess that must have set up some strains or fractures in the glass and eventually crash it went.

 

You hear some amazing stuff on the trains - some of my favourites from the Gala

• Some bloke on the first train out of BL on Sunday complaining that the insides of the carriage windows were all misted up and that the WSR should have someone to wipe them clear. I cleared the window myself using the sleeve of my coat, but then I tend to look for solutions rather than complaints...
• Passing 5643 shunting at Dunster - "That's the loco that fell off the trailer" - erm well if it was they repaired it bloody fast, and what was that other 0-6-2T doing at Williton up on jacks.....
• Leaving Dunster the bloke who made the comment about 5643 then said that the 2-8-2T no 2807 had failed and would not be running. Drawing into Minehead what do we see steaming away nicely at the side - yes 2807, although it looked like a 2-8-0 to me, (and everyone else I guess).

These days I take stuff heard on trains with a bucketful of salt.....

 

What was 2807 doing there?... The things you hear on trains eh?...

 

My footage from the Friday and the Saturday.

 

When 'Britannia' visited the WSR some years ago I was very fortunate to ride behind the loco from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.
The late John Farley was at the controls. I must emphasise that it was not a thrash but my goodness was it exciting. I was at the first window behind the tender and the noise was simply deafening. It was a wonderful trip and I'll never forget it.

John Farley. Sadly missed. <BJ>

 

A couple of photos from the Gala - 70021 'Morning Star' at Washford and Roebuck Farm Crossing.

Photos at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pamw

 

We had a very enjoyable few days at the Gala as usual, many thanks to all concerned.
(Photo '70000' in Minehead last week.)

 

There was the BCK near the crossing on the MPD side but also I seem to recall a BSK attached to the SK and TSO on the Bay side - presumably also stopped for repairs? (Why is it that the best place for stopped coaches is always in full view of crowded trains? Witness 2 beautifully painted coaches with scrap wheelsets that spent last summer in Pickering Beck Siding!)

Steven

 

Fair enough if coaches are not servicable but if the BCK is fit, 'not agreed' for use on the WSR when it is owned by the WSRA is a joke.

 

The coach you say was BSK is actually a BG that has been converted to disabled use.

 

There is a blood & custard brake van in the sidings as well as the BG. It is Kinlet Hall's support coach and is nearest the camera on the right in this shot. It also shows the SK and TSO which are out of use and the BG at the far end.

 

A few scenes from the Gala

 

I would like to say a big thank you to WSR Plc for putting on a fine Gala. Loved seeing "Morning Star" but didn't get to travel behind this time, it was a real treat seeing "Mickey Mouse" the 2MT, it performed very well considering its size.

Regards Paul.K

 

My photos from the gala are now uploaded on Flikr at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pamw/sets/72157651685320835/

 

Agree! Spent quite a few enjoyable hours with John , both on the footplate & in the pub! Tragic he died last year.

 

Nice!

 

Dose any body know how many bums on seats yet over the 4 days, and how many is it up or down against the last two years.

 

A small selection of my shots put onto Flickr are here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/goldsteam/sets/72157651307397608/