West Somerset Railway General Discussion

That brings back happy memories. My first run behind a Hymek was, I think, in 1962, from Banbury to Reading. The performance was, to say the least, coruscating. I had to admit, to my teenage self, that it eclipsed the Hall, which had taken us to Banbury.

I had many runs behind Hymeks, Warships and Western diesels and they left the diesel - electrics for dead.

Regards,

John

 

That might be true but they also left maintenance and repair budgets dead as well. I like the concept of quick modular change out of engines, transmissions etc to achieve maximum uptime but somewhere along the line the build quality in the UK did not seem to be as high as the original German manufacturers and components. The North British license locos have been recorded as particularly bad. This is/was not purely a UK problem, if you read the official BR type test of the Sulzer V LDA28 engine which was French built it states the build quality was poor which affected the testing and its outcomes. It also happens in other industries as well.
Todays trend of the OEM doing all the maintenance is by far the better way of doing things.

Brian

 

Has been done before with 4160 on a Sunday QBL a few years ago, we actually turned on Norton Triangle to be chimney leading from BL at the start; but I was firing to the GM then too !!

 

There appears to be a trend developing here. <BJ>

 

I didn't know all that stuff, I was a teenager!

 

An invitation from GWR to join the 'WSR Away Day' product launch charter on Sunday 19 June 2016. See news page on www.wsr.org.uk

 

An early start today to catch the QB at 905 hauled by Hymek D7017 ex BL. Good to see that it was at capacity for the newly introduced full breakfast. Starting promptly the service commenced with tea or coffee and fruit juice. This was served by Robin White moonlighting as a steward supervised by ex ex QB Steward, whilst ex ex QB cook was doing the cooking. Other volunteers were also present and working hard. The breakfast consisted of fried egg, baked beans two rashers of bacon, two hash browns, tomato and two nice herby sausages with Bury black pudding as an optional extra. Toast and marmalade completed the repast. Good value at £8.00. If the weather looked good for tomorrow I would be tempted to repeat my journey today. Well done all concerned.

PS What was really nice ot see that the QB crew manned the normal buffet car as well due to the lack of other volunteers. A classic example of cooperation and the "One Railway" in action.

 

Wish I had know about that earlier, planned to Weston airday

 

It will be a good day to visit the Railway, as we have our Classic Car Run that day. Cars gather at Bishops Lydeard 9 to 11, then pass by the stations at Crowcombe, Stogumber, Watchet, Williton, Washford, Blue Anchor, Dunster village and finally park up at Minehead for the afternoon. Over 50 splendid vehicles from 1926 to 1979 booked to attend...

Robin

 

For Father's Day WSR org roster shows dmu but depg sites says 47 is on diesel turn. Don't suppose u know which please.

 

I believe the DEPG site is correct.

Robin

 

Agreed. I have amended the loco roster page. Thanks for spotting my mistake, @TrainspotterTony

Steve

 

'Freedom of the Line' ticket

A new initiative from the WSR Commercial Department.

I thought folks might be interested to see this. For comparison, an adult Day Rover is £19.

Kind regards

Robin

 

That's good value. So I could have 6 continuous days use? Is local residents pass allowed to be used on this ticket

 

7 continuous days' use.

No other offers or reductions can be combined with this.

Spectacularly good value?

Robin

 

*Deleted - Robin beat me to it with a reply!

 

That's incredibly good value even with no discount.

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52305/2016/06/18/advanced

Anyone know what this would be? Weston to BL and RTN

It's not the charter.

 

No idea but it starts the day at Ashford
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52304/2016/06/18/advanced

 

I believe it's ecs from the Ashford charter - operated by GBRf, probably a staff jolly - coming to BL for servicing. And before someone asks, I've no idea what the traction is!