West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The WSR stance demonstrates a stark and unhelpful contrast from the recent posts by the SVR Infrastructure Manager to be found at the link below. Such postings started during the massive remedial works following the 2007 flood damage and gained a strong following. Its very likely that it generated additional support.

As the Manager himself is tasked with posting he is of course able to portray the work as he feels best. Surely this should be in the job description for that post now?

http://www.svrlive.com/countyboundary

 

As far as pics on wsr.org.uk were concerned at the time, I was asked by the Plc to remove pics of the Minehead relay - but only those taken from "inside the fence" as that area was out of bounds to all staff except those working on the relay. Other pics, taken outside the fence, were not affected. Some might recall the webcam at Minehead was also turned off for the duration. Any dialogue between the Plc and particular photographers is of course a matter for them.

Steve

 

"Sources" at the K&ESR say Lydia is not headed there.

 

Possibly, but I've started a good rumour on the K&ESR staff Facebook page!

 

Looks as if the Treacle Mine has struck a second vein to tap into. Golden Syrup!
Robin L.

 

It resonates in part with the WSR comments above about the tension sometimes between openness and a modicum of control. A personal view - I do have sympathy with the railways, the HSE/ORR might perhaps monitor material online. Where contractors are involved they too might like an element of checking of material.

I currently post County Boundary and Bridgnorth Development updates on SVRLive for Chris Bond (mainly, and others). Initially pictures/video carried the description "images taken within the construction compound with permission of main contractor; photographer is site inducted". Chris and I had a discussion at the outset that a balance needed to be struck between what people would post up anyway in the public domain and what the railway could or should post. Consequently some pictures/video which do not originate from Chris or certain others are used (with permission and credit) but these are signed off before use. I hope it works for people. (A shout out btw to those involved in two major projects at once, and for keeping us infomed).

None of this is intended to comment on WSR's procedures or people, just an insight into how the SVR has gone about it.

Patrick

 

It was indeed a tough evening yesterday on the WSR. DBC 1 hauled by 53809 (which was not 100% due to a blowing valve gland.) departed on time and arrived MD +1 minute against WTT. We employed sanders on both climbs.
53809 departed MD on time for the run back to BL. We slipped on the last part of the climb into Washford but not too badly and we slipped again just as we approached Robuck Gate AOCL. We used the sanders extensively on both climbs. Again we were able to keep going and arrived BL +3 mins to WTT. Loco was book to return MD ECS. Don't know how that went as I went back to my digs for a bath!
6960 hauling DBC2 was assisted all the way to MD by 53808 - I saw them arrive (we were back on our train in the bay). They were +70 mins to WTT. I understand the return trips of DBC2 and DBC3 were run later than booked to give people adequate time in Dunster.

 

I think the last movements at both MH and BL were about midnight, long evenings for crews, sounded like some tough turns! Hopefully everyone went home happy though.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

That View.

From across the valley looking back at Station House, Stogumber at lunchtime today.

Robin

EDIT: And a bit later...

 

...sub title "On my way back from visiting The White Horse...."

 

I always imagined it would be via vibrations transmitted through the drawbar.

 

The fewer people that know what you are doing, the less chance there is of someone spotting when you've made a cock-up.

 

And no lineside photo passes needed.

 

Who do you contact to hire the caravan in the foreground?

 

Our Civil Engineer on the NYMR issues a periodic update on what is happening from an Engineering viewpoint.
https://www.nymr.co.uk/blog/civil-engineering-diary-6-november-2017
I usually push it out to a couple more websites with his knowledge and as I think I am aware of what to watch out for I also add in a few other posts of more recent events if deemed of interest.

We are aware that there are people out there who scrutinise photos looking for any faults they can find and so we try and ensure that we do things correctly.

Such as today the installation of the last of the current batch of 20 Whistle Boards that our group has manufactured and installed along the line.

Or that the Crane was in use today loading wagons with Concrete sleepers for an up coming relay in Newtondale.

 

Surely it is, and should be, the other way round. We should be proud of all that we do (railway heritage has achieved some amazing things) and happy for any scrutiny from those who support and fund what we do, and those who might be persuaded to join us.

The best restaurants are happy for customers to see their kitchens and ‘considerate contractor’ building sites cut windows in their hoardings for the public to watch.

I appreciate that there some issues about material storage, and controlling access for safety but they are, frankly, easy to solve.

Let’s be PROUD of what we do.

Robin

 

Little off topic but could anyone please confirm if Freddie Huxtable Taunton to Barnstaple vol 2 is available and if it's stocked in BL shop?

 

Yes, very much so, but with a qualification. I've seen, for example, people named in social media in a really unpleasant way over a non-safety issue such as the depth of mortar in joints. I can understand that railways have to take care in images (is that from a public area? Does that barrier/fence panel look insecure?) just in case. And this is from someone who preaches sharing information with stakeholders and the public.

Patrick

 

I take it the 1700 which was reported as departing at 1810ish was unheated as a consequence. Must have been a bit cold.
Never did understand why the previous CME had all the coaching stock ETH ripped out.

 

Having to keep it all up to the appropriate safety standards?