West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I think that was the point of Squadron Leader Whites image. Lavatorial humour I think they call it.

 

You have to be prepared to see the bigger picture.

I was sorely tempted to make up a couple of ‘AA’ signs...

Robin

 

Anything special happening this weekend on the WSR.

Might do a day rover instead of the SDR gala

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=West+Somerset+railway+calendar

 

The class 50 has now been pulled from the gala as well for being too heavy for the line it now says 45 46 47 and class 50 are al to heavy.

 

GWS Saint launch this weekend:

https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/?jssCart=52dedd66ac76701f03705bd2cd1c1fba

 

It's a busy weekend around the country! Open House weekend on the SVR - a model railway show at Highley, footplate rides at Bewdley and various other behind-the-scenes things open

 

No Log now either.

We are very sorry to announce that the Class 50 Alliance will no longer be taking a Class 50 to the West Somerset Railway diesel gala in June. Class 45, 46, 47 and 50 are not permitted to operate over the line for the foreseeable future. It is likely that one of our locos will still convey other visitors to the railway, and will remain at Bishops Lydeard for the weekend.

Begs the question who allowed these heavyweights to be booked, When you know the line can't take it.

 

Why do you assume that? My reading of the overall situation on the WSR is that the full extent of the infrastructure issues, and in particular enforced weight limits, have only started to crystallise in the last few months or so. Whereas discussions about gala visitors often start in earnest a year or so in advance of an event. So quite conceivable that in this case arrangements to bring those locos to the railway were made in good faith on both sides, but fate intervened. Not everything has to be some deep political conspiracy however much you might want to go looking for one.

Tom

 

It might raise the question but it doesn't "beg the question".
http://begthequestion.info

 

Not only that, but I notice class 47 is barred, which restricts the help that DEPG can provide.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Over the years there have been many through railtours from the rest of the country to Minehead. In future, until they get the track not only refurbished but upgraded, it would seem that such tours will need to change locos at Norton Fitzwarren or Bishops Lydiard, except if SD do one with Mayflower at the front and a not-too-big diesel at the other end.

 

£20.25 for a WSR rover ticket for a top 'n tail run to Watchet. https://westsomersetrailway.digitickets.co.uk/event/4229022

My plans are to see Clun Castle on it's main line ascent to Sapperton and then a visit to the Open House event at the Severn Valley Rly .
Locos 75069, 2857, 7802, 7714 and D821 are rostered. <BJ>

 

If you just want one return run to Watchet you don't need to buy a rover - a return to Watchet is cheaper (I don't have the price to hand). However, a rover will give you three return runs to Watchet or a connection on the 28 bus from there to Minehead.

 

I think the question is why have these changes not been mentioned on the WSR website & Facebook page.
The gala page on the website still lists all the banned locos as attending.
https://www.west-somerset-railway.c...sel-running-days-on-the-west-somerset-railway

 

My reply was to the post from AnthonyTrains2017 regarding his purchase of a rover ticket.

I'm awaiting the 19th April for my first full run on the WSR although I understand that it's a PAW Patrol’s Chase and Marshall event. <BJ>

 

My reply was to anyone who may have thought that only rover tickets were available!

 

Perhaps. But I remember being on a through tour in 1991 (I think) where the 47 was replaced at BL with a pairing of 3205 and 53808 - other options may exist.

 

Over the last 8 - 10 years, the usual procedure for steam tours when the same engine is working back is to swap to a WSR steam loco at Bishops Lydeard for the run to Minehead and back. The tour operators like this arrangement because it gives them more time to service and turn the loco on the triangle, especially if it is too big for the turntable, and it gives the passengers 'bonus haulage'. It will be interesting to see what happens if a diesel-hauled air-braked train is scheduled. At present, only the 33s would be able to take the train forward - one loco is permitted to run with up to 10 coaches, 2 would be needed if larger. The Western is dual-braked, but when it will be fixed is anyone's guess, and of course, the latest announcement means that the 47 is also out of the question.

 

It very much appears they have been 'mortgaging' the line and now it is time to pay. If ever there was a time for a well organised funding appeal now appears to be the moment, or, are they in denial?

Also, with the service truncated at it's old terminus, is there / could there be a real look into the economic benefits of the railway? No doubt Watchet is benefitting, but what about the 'lost' stations and communities. The WSR is pivotal to many small businesses, and, IMHO, much undervalued if not taken for granted. Now is the time for the new Community Engagement (or whatever) Manager to really get to work.