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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    When was the last time the SVR got a 'new' loco though? 1450 in 2014? Not suitable to requirements.

    They have relied on hiring for years - 4936, 80072, 92214, 4144. So even with W, T and V locos in reserve it goes to show you can't always rely on the 'in house' fleet.
     
  2. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    This year - who knows. But if you look at any recent year's timetable, the requirement is for two trains so two steam locomotives.

    Of course, if WSR wish to reduce the service level below the traditional norm, that may change the requirement - though I suspect it may cause other issues.
     
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  3. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    He says while the MHR are running reduced sets behind Thomas and 41312. ;)
     
  4. Dan Taylor

    Dan Taylor New Member Account Suspended

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    Still not a long term plan is it.
     
  5. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    Recent years are irrelevant right now.
     
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  6. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Indeed. But if you look at the NYMR a few years ago, the lack of a reliable in house fleet and reliance on hired in locomotives made life seriously tricky.

    I wouldn't look at what the SVR have done hiring in some of their fleet on top of a base fleet as a comparison with the WSR's current position.
     
  7. Dan Taylor

    Dan Taylor New Member Account Suspended

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    Move on everyone nothing to see here. must be the summer holidays
    [​IMG]
     
  8. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    This year; I agree. But judging by the number of people heading down the M5 for holidays, I'd not use the WSR's current position as a pattern for anything, let alone the argument you're making.
     
  9. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    But they aren’t thinking of today, rather tomorrow rather than hoping they can pick something on the open market when they actually need it. It’s called proactive planning...
     
  10. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    I think four is tight to run a two-train service. (Two in service, one on washout, one undergoing some form of intermediate repair such as a p&v; essentially leaves no contingency for the "law of sod"; nor any capacity to run value-added extras such as footplate courses). I suspect to be comfortable you'd want five to run a two train service; ironically things get a bit more efficient as your daily requirement goes up since you only need similar levels of contingency. So five to run a reliable two-train service, but you could potentially run a four train service with seven or eight.

    Tom
     
  11. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Such as? The most recent ones I can think of are 46521, 60009 (which wasnt something you'd want to use everyday) and ironically 6960
     
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  12. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    The SVR planned to hire while sorting the fleet out as part of the reorganisation of loco fleet to allow the overhauls to catch up to a point which allowed hire to be reduced. Again sound business planning IMO.
     
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  13. MattA

    MattA Member

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    The SVR seem to have gotten plenty of use out of an engine that is "not suitable" :rolleyes:

    It's fair to say that 1450 is not capable of hauling 8 coach trains up and down the valley, but the SVR have put it (and the similarly-sized 813) to use on driver experiences, gala events and even on dining trains. 813 even came in handy on the Santas last year!
     
  14. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    3205, 61994, 34053, 5690.
     
  15. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Interestingly for the peak service last year the WSR had 7752, 7822, 7828 & 53808. They would of also would of had 7802 as a fifth but unfortunately failed but I suppose that reinforces your point.

    Edit forgot 9351 made an appearance as well meaning 5 were available which means as it currently stands a 60% reduction in the available fleet.
     
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  16. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    Yes I mean for usual services, which are going to be key parts of the return to normal service.
     
  17. MattA

    MattA Member

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    The reduced demand is a result of an extraordinary crisis. In any other summer (next year?) the Mid Hants would find the more powerful engines very handy over the Alps.

    If the Mid Hants need more powerful locos during 99 out of every 100 summer seasons, then they have every right to want to be able to use more powerful locomotives than little Thomas!
     
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  18. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    But why did they not forsee that 10 years earlier? We are going around in circles on here.

    End of the day its all something or nothing.

    I want the WSR to suceed as it's one of my favourite railways - just like the SVR.

    I don't care about individual items, groups, people.
     
  19. Dan Taylor

    Dan Taylor New Member Account Suspended

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    Using a small engine on driver ex to free up a larger one for service trains..... you know that doesn't sound a bad idea.......
     
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  20. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    Can you remind me which line had 3205 between 1987 and 1998 and then lost it? After the SVR had ‘lost it’?
     

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