West Somerset Railway General Discussion

As I am not involved in the railway, this is what I think the most likely reason is they will need another engine in steam to do this, as they will have to take the engine down to the Norton triangle to turn the engine that end as well, to be chimney first both ways as there would not be enough time when the train is in BL to do this and use the same engine.

 

Logical reasons no doubt, so why build the things in the first place? Vanity projects?

 

The turntable is a restoration albeit in not quite the right place of an original feature and was part funded by the council as I understand it. The triangle is used by network rail as well as the WSR.
The turntable is in use most weeks and does pull a crowd.

 

You may get a bit more 'thrash' today than recent weeks as the train should be composed of 6 coaches!

 

There are other things to turn as well as locos - some of the coaches have been turned to even out weathering.
During the yellow timetable, the loco off the 1105 from BL gives a demonstration turn as it is not needed again until the 1525 MD.
Turning at both ends is usual during galas as there are spare engines which can take over incoming trains whilst the engine turns, but, as has been said above, on normal days there is simply not enough time.

 

Is anyone able to answer this query, posed on the GWR E list Group?

"When first formed the WSR intended to run a commuter service from
Minehead to Taunton. However this didn't come about because, according
to Wikipedia:

'The proposed commuter service never materialised, due to traffic
restrictions between the newly installed Taunton Cider Company sidings
at Norton Fitzwarren and Taunton, but the line was slowly reopened as a
heritage railway. '

Does anyone have a date for the installation of the new sidings at Norton
Fitzwarren?

Bill Bedford"

 

My recollection was that the union representing the drivers on the bus replacement service objected and that was why permission to run a DMU operated commuter service was refused. Could be wrong though - SWMBO often says I am!
Ray.

 

I thought it was the NUR or ASLEF members who objected to non Union drivers going into Taunton BR.

 

The Hymek is also likely to be hauling a decent rake on Sunday 13th September, during our Real Ale & Cider Festival.

 

The bus drivers were members of one of the railway unions at the time. Hence the objections.

 

And more thrash is what we got! Some excellent Maybach Music from the Hymek and my thanks go to the driver(s?) and those who did their bit to make it happen. I overheard quite a few appreciative comments in the front coach. Thanks also to the passengers joining at Doniford on both legs, for forcing the thing to have to stop and accelerate out of the station again. Damn! I even put up with an horribly jerky journey behind 3850 so that I could have a great little return trip behind 4160. All in all a great day and thanks to everyone who did their bit.

 

Very far from the truth. In BR days there was a turntable at Minehead and it does attract a lot of attention when in use. The quick turnaround often precludes using it routinely for most scheduled trains because of the need to coal and water the loco. At the weekends when there is a spare loco available then demonstrations are regularly performed and attract large crowds. The triangle is in regular use by the stone trains from Network Rail who also provided most of the rails and sleepers to enable it to be constructed. The stone trains provide significant revenue for both the WSRA and the WSR PLC. The triangle also produces extra revenue when Network Rails use it to turn their trains.

 

I had understood - but I am sure will be corrected if I am mistaken - that a major reason for both the turntable and the triangle was to encourage incoming charters, the same reason that the local authority funded improvements to the signalling off the network.

Indeed, was the turntable not in part a Council project to improve that area of Minehead? I am going by memory and magazine reports, so I could be completely wrong - please be gentle with me if I am!

Steven

 

Andy Forster sent me this pic saying "4110 in the evening sun at Minehead following the application of a decorative coat of paint.

We would now like to enhance the loco with a pair of replica cab side brass number plates, donations gratefully received addressed to:- Locomotive 4110, West Somerset Railway, The Railway Station, Minehead. TA24 5BG.

We are also trying to source a suitable safety valve bonnet and would like to hear from anyone who knows of one for sale (or donation!). Any condition considered."

Steve

 

The Saturday Gang had a fun day painting 4110 yesterday. Great banter and good company as always. We are looking for a yellow plastic bucket to fit upside down over the safety valves and for some yellow GWR vinyl letters for the tank sides to finish her off.

 

Do the Unions still object or is there some reason why a service to Taunton still hasn't been put in place?

 

I think it was discussed at some length in the WSRA thread. There are problems with getting into Tauton, not least th e need to run on NR and all that comes with that, platform space at Tauton, the platform previous used being on the East side of the station, and whether it would make economic sense amongst other reasons.

 

Quick work, it looked like this just last week!

 

Surely it can't be that hard to find a yellow bucket on a preserved railway which terminates in a seaside resort?