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

Seems to be too much effort these days, not just on the WSR but everywhere...

 

I never saw a rail crane in the consist of the S&D demolition trains. The demolition contractors used their own caterpiller tracked cranes to dismantle the railway. BR supplied trains to remove the materials, principally rails and sleepers. It was normal to have a brake van at each end of the consist.

I'll try to post a picture or two of such trains later today.

Peter James

 

4936 is off to the P&DSR last I heard for photo charters over the WSR gala dates

 

Its move by rail has been cancelled. I don't know if there are plans to move it by road, or whether the charters have been cancelled altogether.

 

A photograph from Jeffery Grayer's book, Sabotaged and Defeated.

I remember having a cab ride on one of the trains from Midsomer Norton to Shepton Mallet viaduct. <BJ>

 

Not really surprising after running it on the Friday last year nearly 3 hours after proceeding train! Maybe the WSR could look into a running weekend or day with heavy loaded trains?

 

Looking at the charter event company it seems 7827 is now rostered instead.

 

I suggest you contact the Commercial Manager if you think your idea is viable. If there is to be more than one long train running, the maximum they would be able to load to is 10 coaches because of the length of the loops, and because there are only 25 coaches available! That would make about 800 - 900 seats available. Do you think that number of people would come?

 

cancelled apparently

 

One way around it could be to run the QB one Sunday with another 5-6 normal passenger coaches? Basically then it is just an extra 'normal' service. If advertised well I am sure the railway would get enough people on aboard.

Back to this event, are you aware of how set D/QB is going to be formed? Is it the RU & BSK only of the QB or will the FO be included as well?

 

Good - something for you to suggest to the WSR!

As far as I am aware, it will be just the RU and BSK used as at previous galas.

 

Would they need to? Of course it would use a bit more coal than a normal length rake and require a bit of shunting, but not THAT much more, to do something a bit different and have a bit of f*n!

 

I was on it last year and it felt like there were more coaches than passengers. Not popular enough for it to be worth the effort.
The evening Fish & Chip train was also lightly loaded.

 

Has no one complained that there's a diesel working at a steam gala?

 

Thats quite funny because on the Mixed Traffic Weekend people complain about a Steam running!
Robin F

 

OK - beware of the glare!





Pics by Rich Hiscox


Steve

 

Gosh she's lovely, can't wait for gala

 

Oooh very nice! I think the shade of black might be a touch out though...

 

Anything better than blue