West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Absolutely not!

There are many different ways and styles of driving diesels within the line speed. Some make more noise than others. Some give passengers a short taste of almost full power. Applying the bare minimum of power needed to get to line speed given the gradient and the load is, on the other hand, about as interesting as watching party political broadcasts.

JP

 

But is exactly what professional footplating is all about.

Perhaps you need reminding that heritage railways need to consider what to you might be boring things like fuel economy, longevity of power units, passenger comfort, minimum of pollution etc.

The "top gear" mentality has no place on our lines.

 

Plenty of other heritage railways manage to strike a different balance between the things you mention and providing some noise to entertain the paying customer.

 

In the case of Williton - Blue Anchor, yes. Although the start to stop time for a train which does not make any station calls is about 20 - 25 minutes, if you include the signalmen's time for issuing and receiving tokens at each end, then half an hour is normal. There are very long term plans to split this section with a crossing loop at Kentsford, but they are very much in the distant future.

The problem with a burst of full power is that the train will be at line speed before the end of the train has left the platform, and the rest of the journey would then be on tick-over.

 

I will not comment on the decision to let the ECS through from Williton on Sunday but if Robin manages to find out the official reason hopefully she will post it here.

33 057 was driven according to the applicable conditions over the weekend.
I know, I was on board as the travelling engineer/fitter!
It isn't going to make any more noise than that without exceeding the 25 mph speed limit or by increasing the trailing load but rest assured full power was demanded on the occasions when it was required.
Perhaps I should not have taken the trouble to fit a new set of fuel injectors and set up the tappets, fuel rack etc earlier this year, I suppose it might make more noise if not properly maintained!
We try and do our best to entertain but are ultimately constrained by the rules or risk falling foul of the railway inspectorate.
Perhaps Mr Desperado would like to provide the details of how other railways manage to achieve the noise levels he expects within these parameters.

Ian R.

 

Only those run by cowboys!

 

What some people dont seem to understand is that preserved railways have rules concerning speeds that they have to obey when carrying members of the public, it dont matter what the motive power is, there is an limit of 25 mph except where the railway has permission to run at a greater speed, and in a safe manner,then 25 mph it is, if that results in less of a thrash than some would like, then i'm sorry, but thats the way it is,

 

Everyone I know understands this perfectly. I don't know anyone who doesn't.

 

Only an irresponsible driver would behave as you suggest. I am beginning to suspect your post is a wind up.

 

Perhaps they are only short trains as few people wish to ride behind a diesel.

 

The sets over the weekend would have been shorter than usual - the normal is 6 or 7 coaches - because more trains than usual were timetabled, and it would be necessary to reduce the number of coaches in each train to provide the required number of sets.

 

While it is certainly be different with either a large steam loco or 2000hp+ diesel, I cant say that I have ever been disappointed with the experience on the WSR.

I rode the DMU a few weeks ago from Blue Anchor to Williton & back to Minehead. I noticed the speedo in the rear cab rise rapidly to 25 then stop but the experience wasn't at all bad. Not quite 75+ over Colliery Subsidence near Nottingham C1978 but as good as you could expect given the limit. My youngest two (5 & 6)loved at as they could have their heads out of the window without getting smuts in their eyes. Having said that when the older lf the two did pick up something it was a fly.......................

 

Sums up diesels quite nicely, I think!

 

The diesels are a much loved part of the WSR fleet. I have been quite happy to be help out at least once so far this season by a diesel. However it is true that most of our passengers come to ride behind a steam engine.

 

I shall be enjoying a round trip behind the Hymek tomorrow. I guess I won't be seeing too many forum members on the train... Here's hoping for some spirited driving (completely within the rules, of course) ☺

 

I would think you are much more likely to encounter a member of this forum. There are many diesel fans as I mentioned, myself included. If anything they have to be a bit more committed to get to ride behind their favourites in terms of the research needed to find out what's running when.

 

Can I ask why, having installed a turntable and a triangle at great expense, these are not used and 50% of running is tender first.

From an enthusiasts point of view, turning operations would be of great interest and if all trains were chimney first, more enthusiast photographers would be attracted to the line.

Is there a logical reason or is it just too much trouble?

 

I'll be working in the garden of Station House Stogumber to clear up after some tree felling earlier in the week (might even treat myself to a bonfire, later), so do give a wave as you pass!

Robin

 

There is a logical reason and it's to do with the intensity of the timetable. If you take a look you'll see that a lot of the turn arounds at MD and BL have about 40 mins. Normally a loco needs to take coal and water at MD and so there is not time to turn as well. At BL the trip to the triangle and back cannot be accomplished within the timetabled turn around time. OK now I know a 4th engine in steam would solve most of these problems but it's not economic to do that on a day to day basis.
Let me make a small point as well about enthusiast photographers. While they are very welcome a lot of then don't actually take a train ride or even spend any money in the cafes.