WSR S&D Spring Steam Gala, 5-6 and 10-13 March 2016

On Saturday 12th, there's 10 BL departures and potentially 8 locos. Without paying £3, what are the chances of me getting the locos in interested in? Couldn't a free online roster be made available to help people like me decide whether to go to the event or not, I don't want to risk a repeat of a few years ago when one of the main visitors (the S160) wasn't rostered one day.

 

It's an expensive event to put on - surely £3 is worth investing?

Robin

 

Admittedly it would be cheaper to spend £3 to find out is not worth attending than spending £40 on petrol and £25 on a ticket plus food etc to ultimately be disappointed. Regardless of the cost of putting on the event, I'd like to be able to make an informed decision on whether to attend before parting with any money.
I'm not quite sure what the big secret is, railways (not just WSR) are able to publish free diagrams for diesel events in advance.

 

Equally £3 is not a lot to spend to find out; if it's for your liking then great, if not, think of it as you putting £3 in the donations bucket to ensure the continuance of the WSR and such galas, and it doesn't seem so bad.

 

Come on. You know this is going to be one of the galas of the decade. Just go and pay the £3 for a timetable. It'll be worth it.

 

£3 for a rover?! Where do I buy them from?!

 

I am. All 6 days hence the need for a timetable.

 

For what I have already spent on hotels/tickets/fuel budget etc, and what I'll spend over the event on teas/cakes/pasties/books/appeals/mug etc, £3 for the (usually) wonderfully produced gala timetable it's peanuts. I'm sure it helps pay for what is going to be (perhaps) the best event of the year, and we all know what a bottomless pit running a railway like this is. Get it bought!!

 

Oops.

 

Yes. I'm going for 6 days. That means 2 return trips of 247 miles each way from North Wales. It'll be worth it for what is sure to be a spectacular event! Bring it on!

 

As one old enough to have had the experience of travelling over the old S&D just before it closed, this is a must. A shame, though, that it clashes with the North Norfolk (old Midland and Great Northern) gala on 4-6 March, but the WSR galoa is spread over two weekends. I now need two weekend passes from the domestic authorities!

John

 

Re; advance publication of loco rosters -
1. You could say that railways should set out their stall before people book hotels and travel arrangements. It is annoying when loco rosters (free or otherwise) are not available until shortly before the event, or even only on the day. People need information well ahead so that they can plan. I don't mind paying a reasonable price for the information.
2. Some railways, like the South Devon Rly, very generously give out working timetables on line, loco allocations included. But, these days, what is three quid in the great scheme of things?
3. Events, especially with visiting locos, are very (and increasingly) expensive to lay on.
4. I don't like freeloaders who just take photos without spending any money at the railway to help with such costs.
5. Timetables are usually such that you can both ride and photograph.
6. I look forward to Mr Postman bringing me the WSR gala programme!

John

 

I have it on good authority that all eight locos will be in service on Sat 12 March. But you'll still need the Gala programme to find out to which services a particular loco is rostered. All subject to availability of course. Hope this helps...

Steve

 

Hoping there's going to be some amazing double head. First time seeing a 9F. What does the F stand for freight?

 

Yes. 4F+7F, double 7Fs, 4F+black 5, 7F+WC, 4F+WC, double WCs, WC+9F, 7F+9F, 4F+9F and 7F+black 5 would all be good.

 

Being born and bred in the middle of S and D land (Midsomer Norton) i can’t wait for the gala to finally be upon us. As i was growing up in the late 1980s and early 90’s i watched the slow and delightful restoration of the station and am glad to hear that they will have a Jinty in steam at Midsomer Norton on the 5th and 6th. For those coming down to the WSR why not make a weekend of it and call by the real S and D as well.

As a member of the loco department on the WSR i’m hoping to fulfil a long standing childhood dream of being on the footplate of a 9F. I’ll echo a previous comment and say to all those attending don’t be afraid to approach the footplate staff when they re in the station, I’m sure many will oblige with a quick cab visit.

53808 is coming along nicely in the shed at Minehead and will be the star of the show I’m sure. The paint job is fantastic and a credit to the skill of mineheads own Richard Hiscox.

See you all in march on the West Somerset and Near Dorset Railway!!

 

Personally, I don't see the point of double heading powerful locos on relatively light trains. I would much rather hear a single engine working well than two engines just 'ticking over' and confusing one another's beat.

 

Best make both work hard then - double rakes anyone?

 

I would normally agree but the old S&D was renowned for double heading over the Mendip Hills - except the 9F's

 

The S&D was renowned for double-heading. You can't miss the opportunity to recreate some of these combos. WCs were allowed to take 8 unassisted and 9Fs were allowed to take 9. The Pines Express was 12 coaches long and often had a 9F piloted by a 2P in 1960 and piloted by a 75XXX in 1961 and 1962. 92220 took 12 unassisted on the second to last Pines Express and managed just fine but they decided to pilot it with a 75XXX on the last run for old time's sake.