West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Ah! well, the usual heritage fudge can be relied upon.

 

Ian

I'll PM you about that.

 

Yes - the one at the L&HR was never owned by the LMS, although it was built at Derby. My mistake, although strictly speaking it's not a Class 11 as it was never owned by BR. It turns out there's also a surviving example of the first LMS batch of diesel shunters (which also weren't part of Class 11, and were withdrawn before receiving a 1968 class number, but were very similar).

 

The news article on wsr.org.uk asks donors to use the email address at the foot of the news page, Tony.

Steve

 

It surprises me that so many people are discussing the lack of authenticity of the locos and rolling stock on offer for the 1940's weekend.
Yet a locomotive masquerading for a considerable time as one of its long-lost stablemates causes no more than a raised eyebrow.

Stef.

The S160 caused disruption to the WSR timetable yet again today when the brakes reportedly locked on when approaching Williton. After a delay of about 30/40 minutes the service was able to continue to Minehead and then ran a service from MD to BL and back to MD with no apparent problems.

 

Mop and bucket? Multiple brooms? Electric fan heater? Shame on whoever

Isn't that what the locking room's for?

 

You are surely not suggesting that the signalmen be allowed access to the technicians sanctum of the locking room?

In my experience that would be 'break glass' access only, for fire fighting purposes only.

Keep the mops and brooms where the signalmen can see them and it will encourage their use. Given that a signalbox is like being in a greenhouse on a sunny day, the 'fan heater' is more likely to be a simple fan.

 

At Worcester Shrub Hill the toilet is in the locking room

Not only that but when I visited (late 80's?) it was also a hard hat area so in theory you had to put a hard hat on every time you wanted to use it

 

The Gazette reports an increase in passenger numbers on the WSR:

http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/16689757.increase-of-riders-using-west-somerset-railway/
http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm#1572

Steve

 

As a supermarket slogan says "every little helps".

 

Superb addition to autumn gala.

 

8 Days to go before the 1940’s Weekend on the 15th & 16th September. The military freight train is being loaded at Minehead on Friday 14th and an increasing number of participants (now over 200) both military and civilian will be at various places along the line.

The military train will be we think the most authentic run in recent times. The S160, War Department and GWR wagons and WW2 military vehicles on flat wagons in a long train with uniformed re-enactors riding in a brake van to look after it.

Having had the trial run in March this time the train will include 2 1918 WD Rectanks and a Macaw carrying the vehicles so they will all be at one height and we are using black ratchet straps hidden as much as we can with hemp rope more visible to look like they are tied down the old fashioned way.

Before anybody mentions that the WD opens and WD Brake van are 1950’s built they are the same as the 1930’s-40’s WD versions. So from a photography aspect with our unspoilt backdrop along the line this is a chance to get some great photos of over 70 years ago (wartime photography restrictions will not apply).

Tickets are still available for the 1940’s dance under the Canopy on Minehead Platform on the Saturday night and there is other entertainment including singers and a film showing of ‘Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society’ in Watchet on the Friday night.

If you need to know more details please join the ‘West Somerset Railway Forties Weekend 2018’ Facebook page for full details.

The WSR is running a busy passenger train service and there are some extras such as the QB, Murder Mystery and a late night train on Saturday to take revellers to and from the dance as well so there will be lots of steam and the odd diesel over the weekend to come and see.

 

Good to see more details of this event, Andy. Do you have the times of the "late night train" - and - can you tell us if ordinary passengers can use the QB and the MM trains (or are these for advance bookings only)?

Steve

 

Hi Steve

The Saturday night dance train leaves BL at 18.35 all stations to MD and back 22.30 all stations to BL. This train is only for people coming to the dance and back so is not a normal passenger service. If you do not have dance tickets you will not be allowed on the train. Note these times could vary subject to confirmation from the WSR who will be confirming soon. Anybody can book dance and train tickets through the WSR on 01643 700406.

The QB & MM are the usual booking routes through the ticket office at Minehead or online (I believe) I don't know if they are fully booked at the moment or not.

 

The WD Brake van was built in 1942 http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=6981 Also what about taking the Name Plates of 6960 as, this engine didn't get its Name Plates until after the war ended and 1946 at the earliest. Yes I know I will be given a but decide to be a and most likely get a and told to but to see you are doing your best to hide the unauthentic straps for the loads

 

OK understood. I'll wait for the Ops Notice. Thanks Andy.

Steve

 

I am trying to find out whats on but there isnt a train timetable yet - assuming that it isnt whats on the WSR website

 

Long time lurker but found this:



https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/08/west-somerset-railway-coming-to-train-sim-world-on-consoles/

 

No steam?

 

Other means of propulsion do exist.
Even amid the GW region.