West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Now Ms Type has left my employment I can only blame myself. Apologies.

 

IIRC, the statement was made in the final "Pravda" edition WSRA journal. I will check.

 

would a volunteer need to do PTS when joining

 

Yes if you are going to work any part of the running lines and yards etc, so it includes the workshops SB etc.

 

The good news is if you join up there is a defined process that guides the new volunteer through all of the steps needed. It's quite painless.
New faces are always welcome.

 

any info on lineside passes, cant find anything on website perphaps I've overlooked it.

 

Good question.

And I now see there's a broken link on the "Photographing the WSR" page http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-photters.htm on my unofficial WSR website wsr.org.uk

I guess the updated Lineside Pass info will be included on the new official website due mid-Feb and then I'll update the link.

Steve

 

Aren't they changing the LSP for this year due to the FS? I had read - but can't find now - some info that stated only 'current' holders would be allowed lineside when she is running

 

"Permits for photographers will be allowed, although in common with other railways hosting Flying Scotsman, photographers allowed trackside will have to already hold a permit, and will also be required to register for the event and will receive special identification (to be finalised)."
From: http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm

I'm sure my first reading of that opening sentence does not mean that all photographers will need a permit.

Steve

 

Thank you ☺

 

I see the road works on Station Road BL includes making the railway bridge single lane controlled by traffic lights, so to make it safer for people to walk over and to stand to take photos from as well.

 

A bit of a loco update to lighten the mood a little, winter maintenance on the fleet is continuing, the loco lifts have been taken out of storage for a tidy up and check over in advance of 9351 being lifted back on its wheels in the next few months. 53808 has its rods off and pistons out for some new bearings and some checking & cleaning off of carbon. Work on 53809 has been taking place to sort a steam leak, 44422 has had a clean-up and a bit of repainting completed and work on 6024 continues with its dedicated gang. Yesterday Minehead shed saw around 12-15 people working on different things, with most of us lucky enough to be in the nice heated shed.

All of this is in addition to the major track and signalling work on the go in other places, plus some cutting back on the lineside and of course lots of other maintenance work all over the line. There is of course still plenty of space for more people to join and help out !!

 

Great update Andy !

 

No sign of photos of the Williton and Minehead works lately. Is Robin away on holiday?

 

Well, not quite a holiday - I'm actually down at Swanage today for the winter Swanage signalmans' training day.

The sites at MD and WN are engineering sites and the WSR Infrastructure
Manager has placed some restrictions on photography - as it is His prerogative to do. I have decided to leave winter photography to others. No doubt other folks will post on www.wsr.org.uk

Robin

 

It may be his prerogative but but he needs to consider that supporters of the WSR like to see what is going on. Very poor PR by him IMHO.

 

You may think it's poor but it's being professional. You wouldn't want him not to be, would you?

 

Of course not! I would expect him to be professional in ensuring site, and staff safety, but a true professional would not withold permission from an experienced person such as Robin who as a signalman is well aware of the safety issues and the sites. Furthermore Robin has provided, with permission, an invaluable photgraphic record of the changes at Williton over the last two years so I am puzzled as to why she has not been allowed to continue doing this. In any case much of both sites are visible from publicly accessible vantage points that the WSR has no control over. It sounds suspicious to me.

 

The WSR Infrastructure Department have several big jobs to do this winter. We may not like all that they do, or the agree with the way that they do it, but for the good of the Railway we must support them in getting that work done.

Robin