WSR Spring Gala 2009

From the official WSR Site 6100 now running two trains a day for the rest of the gala including a double header with 45231.

Dave

 

Briliant, thanks very much.

 

28th Sat.
MD 09:10 60019 + 34046.

The Royal Scot workings will not affect the above loco allocations.

http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/ ... s.html#ln3

<BJ>

 

Hi,
If there's anyone out there to read this who isn't already at the gala, here's an update concerning Saturday's diagrams.

Today 3850 failed with a broken spring at MD so is out of the picture for the rest of the gala, 9351 took it's place on the mighty triple header with 6695 and 5553 at the end of Friday. 9351 will cover 3850's diagrams for the remainder of the gala in the main part (but see 4936 below).

4936 has been temporarily stopped at BL with a badly blowing clack. The support crew are hard at it, getting the steam off the boiler in order to sort the problem. The upshot is that it will miss it's slot on the 0915 from MD on Saturday morning, 9351 will deputise before dropping back onto 3850's diagram. The crew are adamant that 4936 will rejoin the gala on the 1220 ex BL, which was originally a 3850 diagram. It will then slot back into it's existing diagram on the 1405 ex MD.


6100 is performing very well, the scorched paintwork being touched up at every opportunity.

cheers
Keith

 

Thanks for the info Kieth.
To JMR,which 3 cylinder chatter would you like? There's lots to choose from!!

 

I would imagine that Keith means the 09:15 from BL. <BJ>

 

Thanks for that information, Keith, it's much appreciated. Does anyone know which way 9351 is facing?

Cheers,

Paul

 

To Minehead, but that may change. Some great vids now on utube.

 

There certainly is. I find Bulleid Pacifics in any form mesmerising machines :-they are very different and idiosyncratic, not least because they are such large, powerful machines with such a relatively quiet and "busy" exhaust beat. There is something strangely appealing about "quiet power". So 2 in one spot is a good enough reason to visit.
Truth is though I enjoy all steam locomotives in all their infinite variety. The amount and variety of working steam in this country is remarakble and we are very fortunate that there are so many extraordinary events like this to enjoy . So I will not be taking anything for granted and enjoying the appeal of everything in steam:-including Kilmersdon.
Thanks to all for the timings and updates etc.

 

Thanks for the info on 9351 Jimbo.
I shall be heading in a south westerly direction first thing in the morning. It definitely looks like being a gala that has someting for everyone.
I agree with JMR about the Bulleids, there's the barking of the Hall, the beat of a Gresley A4 and some serious LMS machinery.
A tank engine on the Norton shuttles if you aren't into the big stuff.
It doesn't get much better than this line up.

Cheers,

Paul

 

Hi,
9351 is facing BL as it was turned this afternoon to be facing in the same direction as 6695 and 5553 on the triple-header.

9351 on the 0915 ex BL, not MD as I mistakenly wrote!

chers
Keith

 

9351 is facing bishops lydeard as seen on the late running 16.55 from minehead with the two tanks. mark

 

Breakfast service aboard the Quantock Belle is breaking all previous WSR gala records. We served 57 breakfasts on the 08.25 off BL last Saturday and a very close run 56 breakfasts on this morning's (Friday) 10.25 off BL.

Tomorrow (Saturday) we depart BL at 09.15 but will open the restaurant at 08.30. We depart from platform 1 and expect to be very busy, so please make your way to restaurant car 1909 Orion in good time. On Sunday we depart BL at 09.30. On both Saturday and Sunday morning we return from Minehead behind 6100 Royal Scot. The Bury black pud has been restocked! Please don't forget clocks advance one hour on Sunday morning for the start of BST.

The chairman of Special Events Planning Team has confirmed the involvement of Quantock Belle during mixed traffic weekend in June. We will be offering our breakfast, brunch, hot lunch and cream tea service on all three days of that event.

Hope to see you during the coming weekend.

Barrie and Dee Childs
Quantock Belle staff

 

1Z28 Cambridge to Minehead arrived at Minehead 32 late behind two red thingies.
Not a beautiful green steam loco on the front at all. Any updates? <BJ>

 

Just been watching the Minehead webcam and the Cambridge special has just left.

I then saw a glimpse of a frantic lady - it looked like she may have missed the train !!

 

Quick drive to BL I reckon!

FC

 

I thinbk you'll find that the A4 was at the front of this train until it got to the MH level crossing where it dropped off to allow the 2 red thingies to pull te train into platform 1. It then assisted in the shunt to release the red thingies so they could head the train back to BL and hence out onto the main line. I suspect train length was the reason for the odd movement.

 

Just back from another day of hectic cleaning at MH. It was great to see so many people visiting the sheds the vast majority of whom were 100% sensible. I know we left some visitors questions un-answered but it was a working day for us and sadly the work sometimes inturupted the chat. :-$ Thanks to everybody who came to see us today.

 

The pointy green steam loco was on the front of the two red things when I passed it at Crowcombe. I'm guessing that No 19 was removed before it entered MD due to the length of the train (3 locos + 13 coaches, I think)

Currently on my way home after 3 days on the WSR - excellent gala (as always) I've had to come home for a bath - a tin one! Was hopimg to travel on 5043 as part of my journey north, but I'll now just have to content myself with seeing 6233 arrive back at Crewe,

 

Just got back from an excellent day at the spring steam gala, my return to Bishops Lydeard to end the day was the 16:25 (i think) from Minehead behind 88 and 9351 and a very spirited run was enjoyed in order to clear the line for the outgoing charter, my first visit with the WSR and my first visit to a preserved railway for many years, very friendly staff and lots to do the only thing I couldn’t seam to manage to do was get to see the infamous Royal Scot but all in all a very enjoyable day even though the timetable went a bit wonky 8-[ .

Thanks very much to the WSR and all the staff.

Helix