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

Please read my post before jumping down my throat, again. If I can't get signal, I won't be the only one. I don't know if some networks do manage better - if so, might be worth looking at, but if it's the same for everyone, it's pointless for everyone!

 

Are all your passing loops signalled on a dedicated up line only and down line only basis?

I ask because at KESR some have criticised in the past that the signalling is "over the top" and "all singing and dancing".

The passing place at Northiam is fully reversible, that at Wittersham Rd is operationally reversible but commercially not so due to only one platform. Until recently Rolvenden was reversible on the Main, but Up only on the loop, currently reversible on the Loop and Down only on the Main, (but shunt signalled for Up on the Main). This does add complication, but adds flexibility which can help getting out of a fix. (Reinstating the running signal for Up on the Main at Rolvenden is planned in due course)

 

Silly question but where does the water come from to fill water tanks, river?

 

Or those that spend the day watching a free gala.

 

would be nice to keep the 7F, 8F and 9F for a little while.

 

Has anyone any photos of the 7F with the black yeoman foster wagon on the Saturday that sits by the turntable. Was in the shop and missed it, only see it being uncoupled.

 

Blue Anchor is very simple, one direction in each loop only.

Crowcombe is a little more complex, as it switches out, so all trains use the down platform then.

Williton allows starting back from either platform in any direction but passenger moves can only be made into the correct directional platform.

Robin

 

Hi Robin

This movement has been done before. I was on an up service a couple years back behind 4160 that was routed via the down loop at Blue Anchor due to a points failure. I have got a pic somewhere but haven't been able to find it.

 

Not quite the same, as that wasn't a 'thunderbird' that then backed onto stock in the up platform?

But pleased to see your photo when you can find it!

Robin

 

On the social media/signal point - that would definitely be helpful and I hope more railways start taking it up. Know signal varies across networks in the rural locations most preserved lines occupy, but for me the WSR area is great. It's one of the lines I feel safe going to on a day when I'm on call for work because between I know in most places either my work or personal phone will get enough signal for me to hook the laptop up and sub/publish some news stories if anything breaks in the subject I work in, so getting onto Twitter is no problem at all. Same goes for the Mid-Hants, whereas - perhaps unsurprisingly - the North Yorkshire Moors is one where I definitely have no choice but to ignore work for the day. Conversely, Meldon Quarry is surprisingly good for signal/work potential!

 

In fact our very own @West Somerset Wizard and I worked on a trial of use of e-mail to disseminate 'live' gala information a few years ago.

One of the problems is that it requires yet another body to drive it, particularly as we don't have the electronic link between train descriptions and signalling which drives such matters on the national network via the TRUST system which provides the information for 'realtimetrains' and the like.

A further decision would be how much information to put out.

But it probably is time to have another go.

Are there any examples of successful 'live' use of social media elsewhere?

Robin

 

I wonder if.................

To address the communications issues over late-running trains, is there a way a Twitter or something account could be set up?
I'm thinking of a one-way messaging system, that only Signalmen or Station Masters could post status messages to that would then send a text message to participants. I don't think this would add to their work load too much or be too onerous. No replies permitted. On-time performance reports not needed.. Only brief, critical messages allowed such as:
"12:15 15 mins late at BA"
"Diesel on 10:25 instead of 12345"
"No bread pudding left at CH"
"Parking flooded at BL"

I'm not up to speed with smart phone technology, so someone else can work out how to make this happen.
It seems to me that there's bound to be someone at each station with the 'right network' who could then spread the word.
Maybe the ten Station Masters could say which networks work most reliably in their area.
Edited to add that the latter might be useful to know in any event.

 

As @Robin White mentioned earlier, in 2010 several of us carried out a trial over two days to assess the use of electronic train recording of arrivals, departures, delays, incidents. It was largely successful from a technical perspective.

As a by-product, the inputted information was automatically sent out via email, SMS (text message), Twitter and webpages.

I am currently looking into something similar to Mike's suggestion which might help spread information.

Steve

 

The most recent example of a similar system was the Vulcan flights in 2015. The crew sent out regular Twitter messages updating their position and it was very successful. On one occasion, the plane had to return to base after weather problems arose and those on the hillside around me picked it up quickly, word spread and we all left.

 

Fair enough then, guess it's just mevthat gets crap signal.

 

Mains water at both ends of the line.

 

I had a very enjoyable day at the gala on Sunday - spending some time at Bishops Lydeard and Washford stations. A fantastic event, well done to everyone involved. It was the first time I'd been to the line since 2003, definitely won't be leaving it that long before going again!

Getting through my photos and putting them up here with some already online:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davestubbings

 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9ZsQ0LrclDnz_6TRV9wvfDvMESKRpxQq

Here are my footage of the gala. My shots were taken on 12th - 13th March. As you can see it's been separated due to difficulty to put all the footage together into one video. A big thank you to all the staff and volunteers on the WSR for creating a wonderful event.

 

I'll just add my thanks to all who made the Gala happen and those who served on the day(s).

I had a cracking time on Friday and Saturday morning until a medication foul-up (my fault) made a real mess of Saturday afternoon and the Sunday. Some thoughts.....

Regarding time-keeping, I guess it's arguable that the timetable may have over-reached itself a bit but given the anniversary-type nature of the event I don't think that's really surprising and I don't remember hearing any real complaints on the days I rode.

44422 seemed to struggle a bit on the first turns out of BL on Fri (freight) and Sat (D/H with Templecombe / SKP) I spent a fascinating time watching the MD MPD lads working away in the smokebox with Oxy-Acetylene and elbow grease, sorting out the super-heater header and then she performed much better D/H with Manston out of MD later that afternoon. Good work fellas!

On Templecombe /SKP's fail on Friday, one story doing the rounds was that the brakes jammed on, and that it was dragged back to MD with the wheels locked which would cause flats / tyre damage and maybe damage the track. Now I wasn't there and didn't see but it might be useful to just confirm whether that was the case and if not then to scotch any rumours.

Otherwise the experience was as enjoyable as I have come to expect from the WSR, the landscape as beautiful, the people (staff, visitors, locals) as friendly as ever and the antics of the Cling-Ons as irrelevant as they should be. PS I had a good chat with Scots Charlie in the Masons Arms at Williton about the WSRA and brought him fully up to date on a few things WSRA. Sadly I didn't get chance to go back because he'd promised to give me his copy of the latest "journal", strangely no copies were available in the shop at BL...... wonder why?????

 

Not just you. I envy these folks who report a "good signal" all along the length of the line. Like most people I can barely get a signal anywhere including the loco compound at BL.