West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Given the amount of work it has done straight out of the box, I think we can forgive a failed gasket!
Hopefully a quick fix, as it looks and sounds fantastic on the videos I've seen of it on the WSR so far.

 

The Grange still being worked on as of today 10th July.

 

Just read that the RTC tour next Saturday will see 44871 run all the way through to Minehead due to the stock being air braked. Don't believe 44871 has been along the WSR before?

A great shame timing wise as I would imagine if the usual WSR-based double header for RTC trips was happening there could have been 6 steam locos out next weekend, maybe 4 of them being the GWR 4-6-0s, with 44871 being a 7th!

 

Yesterday I had an extremely enjoyable day at a very busy WSR, in terms of both visitors and trains movements - I don't think I've ever seen Minehead station packed with so many people!

I arrived into Minehead at 1405 and it was interesting watching all the movements to get the tour ready to depart on time at 1515, plus the running around and departure of 6990 in the bay within 20mins and FR20 going onto the turntable within that time.

Excellent performances from 6990 and 7812 on the service trains and I thought FR 20 looked at home against Minehead's former goods shed.

Thanks to all the WSR volunteers and staff!

I must say though, maybe the (newly painted?) stop markers at BL need to be re-thought. The train was stopped correctly at the 7-car marker, I will let the photos of 6990 do the talking!

 

What's the latest on 6880 Betton Grange? Is it likely to run next weekend as planned?

 

Better to ask/check the 6880 thread

 

The markers at Bishops Lydeard are correctly positioned to indicate the minimum stopping points (for when maximising Platform space for a train/loco to be brought in on top at the Taunton end, preparing for shunting with a longer train etc). As you can see, it would also comfortably accommodate a tank engine running round and rejoining the Minehead end without fouling the crossing.

Drivers are aware of this and so normal practice during 'standard' operations is to continue further on and stop at the corresponding half marker (you may have noticed there is an additinal white line placed half way between each of the numbers). In this case it would have been better to stop at 7 and a half, however I believe the Fireman was under instruction on Saturday morning

 

Thanks for the explanation! Being a minimum marker makes sense.

 

Yes, Saturday saw a lot of activity. I got to BL in time for the 10.15, worked by 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' and got off at Watchet to see ex-Furness Rly no.20 (built in 1863) working a train to MD, with an industrial 0-4-0ST at the rear. We then ended up at MD on the next train with 6990 'Witherslack Hall' in time to see no. 20 on the turntable. A good celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Watchet to Minehead line.

 

Some more shots

 

It is hoped to re enter traffic tomorrow.

 

Has anyone else read the Somerset Council report suggesting the use of the WSR rails for a Friday and Monday (Butlins changeover days) to provide a through service Taunton to Mine head. an interesting thought?

 

https://www.somersetcountygazette.c...st-somerset-railway-directly-linked-mainline/

All well and good, but I'd imagine the numbers who want to access Butlins by public transport would be minimal. I believe when the 31s ran top and tail a few years ago it was mainly enthusiasts on there, not holidaymakers.

For running regular services, at the very least the whole west end of Taunton station would need resignalling to allow for trains to run anywhere other than P2 when coming off the branch. The ideal option would be to have trains run along a new line into a rebuilt bay on the up side, but various signals and equipment block the route. Never say never, but £6m is a drop in the ocean for something like that. To put it into context, when Stevenage gained platform 5 a few years ago, a new 1.3 mile long line was required off the Hertford loop and a couple of new signals. It cost £40m.

 

Ah, the seven years must have expired for this piece of silliness to re-surface!

 

Good evening,

How did things go with Betton Grange?.

 

Its 4-6-0s weekend this Saturday & Sunday on the WSR with an enhanced timetable - find it here by clicking on the date 27th or 28th July - Timetable - West Somerset Railway (west-somerset-railway.co.uk)

 

6880 completed her steam tests yesterday (24/7) and then ran light to Blue Anchor.

At present hauling the 10:15 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service. All going well in seems, on time at Williton. <BJ>

 

Thank you, that's great news .

 

WSR Gala Planning Team news. <BJ>

''GWR 4-6-0 event - This weekend! - 27th & 28th July

If you're looking for something to fill your weekend with, why not join us on the West Somerset Railway

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/calendar (just select the 27th and 28th July for full details, including loco allocations).

Standard fares are in operation this weekend, providing great value. (Evening train on the Saturday has a supplement).

We're so excited to be operating the largest fleet of operational, GWR 4-6-0s in the world this weekend - why not come and join us for what plans to be a cracking event''.


Grange Manor Hall Evening Service Travel Only 27th July 2024

Travel from Bishops Lydeard at 19.00 to Minehead behind a variety of double headed traction!

GWR 6800 Grange Class 4-6-0 no.6880 'Betton Grange' and BR(W) 6959 Modified Hall Class 4-6-0 no.6990 'Witherslack Hall' will lead the charge on the first leg of the journey from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.

GWR 7800 Manor Class 4-6-0 no.7812 'Erlestoke Manor' will then join GWR 6800 Grange Class 4-6-0 no.6880 'Betton Grange' on the return to Bishops Lydeard.

Tickets purchased below are for travel only.

if you wish to travel with dining, we also have the Quantock Belle service available which will be hauled by the same locomotives. Tickets for the Quantock Belle will need to be purchased instead of booking the travel only ticket for this service.

If you would like to visit for the whole day, you will be required to purchase tickets to travel in the day, and a ticket to travel on this evening special. When purchasing your tickets in advance through our website please add tickets both travel for the day and the evening to your basket and a 50% discount for the evening train will automatically be added at checkout.

 

Here's my footage of GWR Grange no. 6880 Betton Grange and GWR Modified Hall no. 6990 Witherslack Hall hauling the evening mega train during the Grange, Manor and Hall Weekend yesterday. I filmed them both at Chruchlands Bridge and Washford. I hope you enjoy the video.