West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I have to say that if the QB breakfast was not available, fresh coffee & a pasty in the Whistle Stop Cafe, not to mention Kate's pleasant company, makes a pretty acceptable alternative.

 

We had a thread which turned up quite a number of interesting historical examples of tender-first running:

https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/tender-first-running-original-pictures-debate.853076/

Fill your boots!

Tom (who had a nice Chatham tank engine today ...)

 

Of course there was a fair amount of tender-first running in the old days, for various reasons, but not for anything like half the time. When the railways were mostly run by steam there were turntables all over the place, in order to minimise tender-first running. My point in post #10127 was that tender-first running on the WSR and some other preserved lines is now for half the time; and also that it seems a shame to make so little use of the turning facilities after (presumably) considerable time and money were spent installing them.

 

RE: ETH/DMU etc

Were any diesels available this weekend? Particularly D7017? DMU drag could have been an idea? Might have got some extra passengers in.

RE: QB

Surprised they were even selling reservations at 0745 in the morning for a 0935 departure. Should passengers really be allowed access to the site that early in the morning? Waiting 2 hours for a train is enough to make you want to eat there and then! I agree turning up at 40mins before departure expecting a walk on breakfast is early enough!
I had breakfast on a similar timed NF run at the SSG and I managed to just walk on, as I have been able to whenever I wanted previously, so I am surprised how busy people said it was. As Barrie said making reservations available for these trains in advance would be a good idea for the SSG, but with the option of some walk up for example RU+FO not just selling out the RU and that is it.

RE: Tender first

Odd to see all three steamers facing the same way in photos/videos of the event. I don't believe the directions were advertised in advance either?

 

7 quid for a ruddy sarnie? - Christ on a bike - you can have a proper plateful for less!

 

Interesting, I never considered Heritage Railways being that heavily into copying NR processes with ROTR and ROTP.
Certainly another (green) heritage railway who have a few ex train planners in their numbers, review the timetable and train register sheets and guards tickets and have adjusted section running times for the working timetable.
They do however carefully read the Engineering Access Statement for the route they connect with and have submitted offical comments.

Otherwise {1}, not (1) [1] or even <1> !

Cheers, Neil

 

It does come with chips and coleslaw, but yes, on the pricey side of things. Even with staff discount, I prefer the KR museum or the chippy.

 

Not just a sarnie - a club sarnie with chips and coleslaw. I think you will find that a reasonable rate for what is offered

 

That sounds a whole lot more reasonable VFM!

 

Are either Captain Cod or The In Plaice open for breakfast?

 

The advantage of having published ROTP is that bodies such as our Gala Planning team know what is possible and what not without having to ask, do only workable proposals get submitted.

Robin

 

Oh, if it's breakfast, AJ's cafe round the corner. Good prices and a wide range of stuff.

 

The last QB seat was allocated at 9.05 this morning, 30 minutes before departure. A few tables worth of folk waited for second sitting and were duly accommodated without too long a wait. One passenger boarding at Stogumber was served before Blue Anchor.

From 11am, on both days, we had spare QB seats available throughout the day. My intention to offer pre-booked breakfast seats during the Spring Steam Gala (SSG) will therefore only likely apply to the first QB service of each day out of Bishops Lydeard. Subsequent services should remain walk on, no reservation. We are also due to operate over all four days of SSG, which might help to spread demand more evenly. I am reasonably confident of also having the First Open available to us during that event.

There is probably a decent business case to operate this type of QB service rather more often. We have just proved it with Winter Steam Festival after all. Perhaps as an attachment during Bank Holiday weekends, or even as a static restaurant service at Bishops Lydeard. Rest assured all will be explored, but only once my volunteer pool is significantly boosted. Any assistance in that area would be very much appreciated.

Barrie

 

For those who dont know it as you come out of the station turn left down Comberton HillTurn left again almost immediately into Comberton Place, Go past SVR offices and walk up the hill and AJs is on the left. First time you go there try the small breakfast - the large is large

 

Tbf, one of their sandwiches is enough. I normally go for Bacon, egg and black pudding.

 

I said "meal" not "food" and you obviously do not understand the difference. (from Google meal = any of the regular occasions in a day when a reasonably large amount of food is eaten) As you say food is available but I would expect an undertaking such as the WSR to have meals available.

This is untruthful. The meals, range, and quality that was available in the carriage has not been replicated or even approached since its closure.

 

And opens at 7 a.m. on weekdays too - ideal for those leaving on the 7.36 a.m. train to connect with the early Virgin WC train back to Scotland........

 

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Resta...ner-Kidderminster_Worcestershire_England.html

Looks Good

 

Have I strayed into the wrong thread?

Robin

 

No! We have been invaded by aliens from the North.