West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Specsavers?

 

It there still only one token for the Norton Fitzwarren to BIB section? If so we have to hope that the first inbound is on time and the vehicular traffic in Taunton is in good shape.

 

A number of tokens are available...

Robin

 

AFAIK it is as Ian says. Booked for 2x class 73 from what I have been told
Robin F.

 

WSR Classic Car Run

As folks will know, this is this Sunday, leaving from Bishops Lydeard at 11, looping around the Railway, and arriving at Minehead from 12.15 or so. We have just over 50 wonderful classics coming.

I could do with 4 more marshalls for Sunday, if anyone is free, two for Watchet (do man the gates on and off the Esplanade) and two for Minehead (to assist with parking the cars as they arrive). In each case, from about 11.30 to 1 only. Can anyone help? If so, please contact me via 07710 336 807 or robin215white@btinternet.com No prior experience needed......

kind regards

Robin

 

When the equipment was installed I remember a long description of why there was only one token. Something to do with the Signaller at Exeter needing to know where the token was I recall. Has there been a recent change?

 

Yes (although a while ago now).

On installation the system worked as 'One Train Working' with a single token 'in play' as the train staff, a token instrument at BL to act as proof that the single token was there for entry into the single line, and which has to be taken to the triangle site or Taunton for access at those points.

Some time ago this was enhanced to NSKT with an instrument at Allerfird Junction, the ability to 'lock in' a train in the triangle, and multiple tokens to allow multiple trains to be handled. There can, of course, still only be one token out of the instruments at any one time.

Robin

 

How are the two triangles controlled? Turning an engine there seems to be a slow process of around 30 minutes from arrival to departure. Just curious. TIA.

 

Thank you for the explanation Robin.

 

The BL to NFW token allows access by ground lever frame from the running line to the ends of the triangles. Within the triangles the points are hand points.

Robin

 

To add to Robin's comment, once in the triangle, it is effectively a siding so there is no signal control over movements, and because of this, and the fact that there are some sharp curves, there is a blanket speed limit of 5 mph. It also takes a long time from and to BL as it is nearly 3 miles each way!

 

We were due to keep Kinlet Hall on the WSR up to its boiler overhaul in 4 years' time, but this statement, copied from their Facebook page shows that unfortunately it will be withdrawn earlier, at the end of this year:

'It is with much regret that 4936 will be coming out of traffic at the end of this season, we are working hard to get her back out for the remainder of this year but we have come across some unexpected boiler stay issues. Some four years earlier than expected, thank you to those who have shared there kind support.

The decision therefore has now been to remove her post October from traffic and plans are now being made surrounding her 10 year overhaul of which we will report back on this in due course.

The future is 100% positive for the engine and we have future plans involving her main line ticket which we believe holds some great hope fore the old girl.

I have waited until now to post our official statement on this but you will be pleased to know she will be back out July onwards on the WsR. We can't wait to see her back and enjoy her one final time through 2016 where we will then see the heavy work commencing with her heavy overhaul!!

Jonathan Jones Pratt
KHL Ltd'

 

Thanks for that Ian. I was referring to the time between arrival at and departure from NF itself.

 

30 minutes sounds believable to me. At every point (i.e. each corner of the triangle) the loco has to stop, fireman get down, set the road (which may involve releasing a ground frame and a couple of lever movements etc); call the engine forward when safe; then the driver has to remake the brake, reverse direction (not quick on a loco with screw reverse), move past the point onto the next leg of the triangle; stop again; wait for the fireman to re-set the road (and maybe re-lock the ground frame and remove the token); then wait for the fireman to walk to where the loco is, which is now thirty-odd yards away from where he got off; then the driver has to remake the brake, move forward to the next set of points and repeat. Do that three times and you start to see how the time mounts up.

We have a similar situation at East Grinstead, where a run-round involves one hand point and one ground frame-controlled crossover, and including coupling / uncoupling, you are quite tight to do it in less than ten minutes. Add in an extra ground-frame controlled point, and additional reversal and two extra "legs" along which the loco has to move (three rather than one), and you can see how the time builds.

Tom

 

Thanks for that Tom. This is exactly what I wanted to know.

 

The points at Barnstaple and Allerford Jns are controlled by ground frames which involve the token and point locks, the three points inside the triangle are simple hand-operated ones which can be run through in the trailing direction if set against the movement. 30 minutes is a good allowance to make sure the operation is not rushed.

 

Can normal eds go that far on diesel without expiring ? Will have to be 73/9s surely.

 

I remember them doing Birmingham on a cross country service on one occasion so the answer must be yes.

 

What is the GWR WSR away day? Actually Launching. Will it possible to travel to be by train in future? Or just the combined ticket option?