West Somerset Railway General Discussion

That's the station stop though to travel on the WSR towards Minehead, not passengers picked up at BL village or any passengers from before BL travelling to Taunton. A park and ride at BL for a train to Taunton is a very different scenario as I doubt anybody is parking at BL station and catching the bus to Taunton currently.

 

I suppose it could possibly be a candidate for something similar to the Metrobus 270 that only serves Horsted Keynes Station at the weekends. Otherwise we all just get used to walking the last part.

 

Well that's once a year then!

 

It’s used during galas too. It’s pretty basic so won’t have cost much to construct or maintain so why not build it? It’s not in the way of anything.

 

Did you not read the bit on the aggregates? Believe that's used nearly daily.

 

I thought that the aggregate trains stopped a few years back! Are they still running, then?

 

No. It must be nearly two years since the last train. The only reason a train would have ventured onto WSR metals is to turn. The HOBC train has certainly not used Fairwater yard this year. <BJ>

 

Yes. Extensive use during the steam rally. Then also used a lot during the railway galas. Frequent trains to Norton with loco turning on the triangle while passengers mill about on the platform.
There are still many ideas about developing Norton further.
Ian

 

Locomotive Services engines turn on WSRA's Norton Fitzwarren triangle each time they return from operating main line steam charter trains.

 

I think having a section of "live" railway that is nonetheless operationally somewhat isolated from the "main" line opens up some interesting commercial opportunities - for example giving the opportunity for training courses for NR / BTP staff; filming; footplate courses etc - all of which could be offered at any time without disrupting the "core" service. So it is a potential asset if you put in the business development.

Tom

 

If anyone is planning a visit to the WSR ....

''We apologise that we are currently operating diesel trains on the West Somerset Railway following an incident close to the track on Bank Holiday Monday.
Fire spread through 18 gardens damaging several sheds and out buildings close to the track in Verdun Terrace, Washford causing extensive damage. The fire brigade attended and are looking into the cause of the fire, which is, as yet, unknown. The fire spread rapidly due to the hot, dry, weather to stubble, field and hedgerows nearby..
We always seek to be good neighbours and while assessment of the damage and cause of the fire is in progress we will not be operating steam trains in the area''.

Also, all service trains are cancelled tomorrow, 3rd September. <BJ>

 

"we will not be operating steam trains in the area" Perhaps this is the way forward?

 

This incident was originally reported on this forum on 27th August. Post #113 on the “Fire Risk and Preserved Lines” thread refers.

 

Good to see that steam has returned to the WSR. The Manor (plus dmu) has been in service today. <BJ>

 

First Bus necessarily suspended services between Watchet and Minehead for several hours today due to road resurfacing at Washford.
A bit of forward thinking from Somerset Council, the Local Transport Authority, could have seen a mutually beneficial arrangement whereby WSR plc could have been asked to provide a train replacement service, perhaps utilising the DMU.

No reflection on WSR but opportunity missed to assist the local community and generate goodwill. Poor show Somerset Council.

Barrie, Somerset Bus Partnership

 

Is anyone aware of which locos are in service at the WSR this week please? [BJ]

Update: 9351 from BL, class 33 from Minehead

 

Looking at the unofficial site, the carriage workshops at Minehead have been seriously working on MK1 TSO 4260 (which I hadn't seen around for a while), and it is in undercoat, so it won't be long before it emerges in whatever livery it is going into! Interestingly 4260 was the last coach on the WSR with the seats in Trojan moquette (which no doubt, it won't have when it goes back into service). Another curious thing about 4260 is that it has had both curved and straight rainstrips over the toilet end of it's roof during it's life. When built by BRCW it had curved rainstrips (as per 4346, which is from the same lot number), but in 1962, 4260 was damaged in a collision at Torquay, and the repairs saw the toilet end rebuilt with straight rainstrips.

 

According to another social media site a small 0-6-0St will be attending the WSR gala this month.

 

Good news for WSR followers. The railcams are back in action after upgrades and in some cases repositioning. <BJ>

''WSR upgraded streaming web cameras going live.
With funding from the WSRA and Blue Anchor station and installation support from RailCam, the updated and new streaming WSR Web cameras will be going live at http://www.railcam.uk/ and wsr.org.uk at around 09:45 on Wednesday 8th October.
What can you expect?
-- better clarity & sound
-- a new view at Crowcombe Heathfield towards Bishops Lydeard
-- a new view at Blue Anchor towards Williton
-- a different view at Minehead.
Enjoy the new views''

As an example RailCam - Bringing The Lineside To Your Armchair