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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

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  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    That's an interesting development that makes so much sense as why on earth run any train non stop through a place that's arguably a good alternative destination given that you can't currently get to Minehead by train.

    I also gather that the RTC trip on 24th July will call at Watchet en route to the bustitution. So that might mean there is the possibility of steam to Watchet and different steam back from Watchet in time to wait for the charter back to London.

    On that basis and assuming that the WSR doesn't play games over who can travel on what, I will try and get on the RTC trip.
     
    Big Al, Jun 30, 2021
    #38661
  2. Bayard

    Bayard Well-Known Member

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    That has been one of the major problems with the WSR of late, that it has been run like an ordinary transport business, looking only to keep its passengers and enough of its shareholders happy to head off a revolt. I suspect that if the Plc has now realised that it also needs to keep its supporters happy, it is doing so through gritted teeth and looking forward to the day when it can once more tell them where to go.
     
    Bayard, Jun 30, 2021
    #38662
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  3. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Trouble is the Government have again given an absolute by saying restrictions will end and so everyone expects normality . I know vaccination is going well and deaths and hospitalisations are low, however the third wave is doubling every week now and if I were a gambling man I'd put money that a further lockdown will be needed this year. Nations are already closing doors to us as we try to reopen ours outwards . WHO guidance is to reduce numbers to reduce risk of mutation

    Fixed Itiniary tours were ok last year , there was a novelty to them. I've done one , that was enough and it isn't how I like to enjoy my travel . they do need to evolve and I don't want this format to be the way forward
     
    Sidmouth, Jun 30, 2021
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  4. Railpassion

    Railpassion New Member

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    The problem with the virus is that it doesn't understand English or any other language. It doesn't listen to politicians, it doesn't vote. With no restrictions we risk debilitating long term illnesses in around 500,000 children.
    It's tough for all railways and for any business that needs bums on seats to break even or make a profit. It's not over yet.
     
    Railpassion, Jun 30, 2021
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  5. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    back on topic , but slightly off topic . This week is a few days in Devon . yesterday we travelled on the Paignton and Dartmouth railway . 7-8 coach sets , trains sold out (reduced capacity) and queues for tickets . Boat trips doing a good trade . 5526 looking and sounding superb and the bonus of a double header with 75014
     
    Sidmouth, Jul 1, 2021
    #38665
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  6. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

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    Nice to see that 1466 has been delivered to Williton for completion of its overhaul. Appropriate in that 1466 was purchased for preservation ex Taunton shed. Photo on WSR.org
     
    1472, Jul 3, 2021
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  7. Mike Birch

    Mike Birch New Member

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    I thought that 1466 was being overhauled by Western Steam Engineering. Does anyone know why it has moved to Williton?
     
    Mike Birch, Jul 3, 2021
    #38667
  8. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    It was. It’s reached the rolling chassis stage, but, as the loco is ideally required for the anniversary celebration, there was a question mark on if the work could be completed in time.

    WSR have offered a quicker solution and with that in mind, it was decided by all parties that a move to the WSR for completion of the overhaul would give the best chance of meeting the target.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Jul 3, 2021
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  9. Andy Moody

    Andy Moody Member

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    I always thought that it was Totnes, Seem to recall it working am ECS to Didcot double heading with 6998 circa 1968/1969 during the steam ban on BR.
     
    Andy Moody, Jul 3, 2021
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  10. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    The engine spent most of its life at Newton Abbot shed, but apparently was moved to Taunton just before its end. The GWS bought it from there and it then went to their base at Totnes on the old Quay branch.
     
    RailWest, Jul 3, 2021
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  11. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    It worked from Plymouth to Didcot on 2nd December 1967. I remember mitching school that Saturday morning to watch it working through Plympton!
     
    nanstallon, Jul 3, 2021
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  12. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    You had school on a Saturday? (Sorry if I sound a bit disbelieving, Im sure there’s a rational explanation :))
     
    Matt37401, Jul 4, 2021
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  13. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

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    It wasn't ECS. There were a number of GWS members on board (100?) with tickets. The working was from Plymouth to Didcot, the ex Totnes stock having been worked to Laira depot beforehand.
     
    1472, Jul 4, 2021
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  14. Hirn

    Hirn Member

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    Probably a matter of age? I can certainly remember school on Saturday mornings right until the end of my schooldays in 1966.
     
    Hirn, Jul 4, 2021
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  15. MG 7305

    MG 7305 New Member

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    You had school on a Saturday? (Sorry if I sound a bit disbelieving, Im sure there’s a rational explanation :))

    Quite normal to me. I had lessons on Saturdays from the age of 7. In my case it was called prep and public school.
     
    MG 7305, Jul 4, 2021
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  16. desperado

    desperado Member

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    10 year old me persuaded my parents that I should go to the school that didn't have lessons on Saturday mornings rather than the one that did.
     
    desperado, Jul 4, 2021
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  17. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    School on Saturday morning was quite common until the early seventies at fee paying schools. Longer holidays was the trade off.
     
    Steve, Jul 4, 2021
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  18. Hampshire Unit

    Hampshire Unit Well-Known Member Friend

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    Longer holidays and the occasional exeat saturday. You were also supposed to turn out Saturday afternoon to watch the school's rugby and cricket teams if they were playing at home.
     
    Hampshire Unit, Jul 4, 2021
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  19. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I missed it by 2 years. In 1984.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
    35B, Jul 4, 2021
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  20. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    Quite so. I can even recall vaguely my school doing RE lessons on Sundays, tho' I think that was optional.....
     
    RailWest, Jul 4, 2021
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