West Somerset Railway General Discussion

For those of us in the wilds of Stogumber, could you scan one of the posters?

You might also care to shift the comment to the other WSR thread, as I am sure this not a dastardly plot by the WSRA Trustees.....

Robin

 

The Chairman of the Minehead COT is behind this. He believes that it is practical, and economic, to run an hourly service for non heritage passengers,using modern DMUs between Minhead and Taunton at much increased line speed without affecting the existing heritage operations.

 

Show your workings regarding the economics and practicalities might be the obvious question

The BL - TAU link would be such a great step forward

I am sure it will come as will WSRA reform

Jeff Price

 

He has had this explained to him, by the PLC and SCC but thinks that because the line is in public ownership SCC can dictate what it is used for regardless of the PLC's lease. Perhaps the mods could please move this to the separate thread that exists.

 

Maybe he would like to buy the WSR freehold!, we could then have somebody else who could be heard to say " Things will be different when we are in charge!!!"
As a note to those who only have hazy recollections of the past 2 1/2 years of "WSR Progress"
This comment was attributed to some WSRA trustees in the early days for the WSRA freehold bid.

Luckily the Light Railway Order/TWA rather cramps the style of any possible WSR freehold sale however other Exmoor properties are not so protected from such development or exploitation

Jeff Price

 

Is the Minehead CoT offering to fund it?

 

I thought folks might find an historical view south from Williton interesting to compare with recent works.

This is from before the shortening of the loop at this end in the 1960's to avoid renewing both tracks over the stream bridge.

kind regards

Robin White

 

Now, let me see.....

1. IIRC the LRO restricts the line speed to 25MPH, so how will he overcome that?
2. If he does, will he pay to move all the distant signals and their AWS back out the required braking distance?
3. Can he fit the extra trains in without adding further passing loops?
4. Is he proposing an hourly service all day, every (week) day, all year round? Who will staff this, and how/when will such things as extensive track relaying and bridge replacements ever get done?
5. Perhaps most importantly, if there were to be an hourly service at least most of the year, might not casual visitors find the increased service and flexibility a convenience that would then reduce the use of the 'heritage' services?

... I sense a drop or three too much Somerset nectar....

 

Not surprisingly these things have all been brought to his attention but he just poo poos them. As we say in the North a complete barmpot.

 

It's simple really. Just double the line throughout and then one track can be run at 25 mph and the other much faster for the hourly service. What could possibly go wrong?

Edwin C.
confused as ever

 

Why not make it mixed-gauge as well, so we can run broad-gauge excursions to the seaside in open trucks for a real 'heritage' experience? And then relay the WSMR, so they can all be hauled up the incline to get the view from the top? After all, Lynton+Lynmouth have a cliff-railway, so why not a rack railway from Cleeve Abbey? The mind boggles....must be the 14% Shiraz I had for lunch.....

 

And if there is not the space for doubling you could always go high level and build on top...
Might have to duck under for the odd bridge but that would be no problem to fit into the heritage timetables would it?

I know time flies as you get older but even I didn't think it was April - yet...!

 

Ah yes, there is a deluded character elsewhere who thinks the same about another long-established and successful heritage railway. That or a takeover...

 

Sounds like all you need is a few Bendy-bus services on the road. After all they look like modern DMUs.

 

Looks like a 'catch point rich' environment - and the 40mph speed limit

 

Interesting Robin. Is the present wooden shed on the footings of the former water tower, and when did the latter go?

Frank

 

Yes, and mid-60's, I think, when no longer required to water steam locos on the branch.

What a great project rebuilding it would be (put the station shed / workshop inside) and bring the water columns between the platforms (broad gauge space ) back into use.

Robin

 

You need an educational and heritage charity to appeal for funding for such nice to have projects, don't you really!

Steven

 

If I remember correctly I was told the water tower used water from the Doniford Stream. I am sure there are pictures of the old sump which was found when making the foundation for the current shed.

 

Out of curiosity - what pumping system was used to fill the tank? Was there an associated engine house?

Tom