West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Interesting as the article is, and I thoroughly enjoyed my own memories of that snow event that it stirred I don't think a one off event nearly forty years ago has much relevance to current or future WSR operations. The railway is effectively closed for much of the winter to allow for essential maintenance and improvements to be done. The economics of using it as a commuter line don't add up unless an ongoing large public subsidy is available and it would conflict with the heritage aspects so much as to destroy them.

 

WSR featured on BBC World Service business report -http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04680f9

 

i heard that the other day someone visited the (very old) camping coaches at Blue Anchor with a view on buying one of them, mybee the camping coaches at Dawlish Warren could have a future in Somerset after all, im adding 1 & 1 and guessing 7 mind you

 

Someone from the WSR C&W department has inspected the Dawlish Warren coaches and decided that they are beyond economic repair, so the WSR will not be buying any. Of course, there's nothing stopping a private individual with deep pockets from buying one or more, getting them repaired and offering them for use on the WSR. Someone has bought the centre coach at Blue Anchor from the WSRA who owned it, but it's not clear what he's going to do with it.

 

I read somewhere that the Dawlish coaches were too far gone underframe wise to be restorable, and also that the site is such that getting the coaches out (except maybe the LMS Inspection Saloon) could be too cost prohibitive.

 

i realise the Dawlish coaches are well past the point where they could turn a wheel again but given the right location they could still provide accommodation somewhere, the thought of them just being cut on site is not one i wish to contemplate

 

Until recently the mess room at Washford had a sign saying Shangri-La by the door. What happened to it? Just curious why this harmless humour disappeared.

 

I thought they were refurbishing their mess room. Maybe they've taken the sign down temporarily?

 

Of course I did consider this. We shall no doubt find out in due course.

 

For folks who need to know these things - there's been a few changes to the loco roster for the next few days. See
http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/r-roster.cgi

Steve

 

Thanks.

 

Thanks for the update Steve.
Good to see Kinlet Hall out for a whole week. I must get down to have a day on it before its withdrawal next month.

 

The BA camping coach is subject of a planning application to West Somerset Council:

https://www.westsomerset.gov.uk/onl...16_011-DESIGN_AND_ACCESS_STATEMENT-135965.pdf

 

If anyone should find themselves in Birmingham Saturday 17th there is a ticket to tyseley open day and also ticket to sold out flying Scotsman footplate experience for FREE. No longer able to go. Wanted it too go to some one local.

 

That is very generous of you.

 

Hate to see it wasted, I'd go if it wasn't for family funeral.

 

I remember someone asking on one of the WSR threads 1) whether Flying Scotsman will be visiting and 2) if there will be any railtours starting at Minehead. Well, the answer to both questions is yes!
23 May 2017 it will operate a Steam Dreams evening trip from Bristol to Minehead: http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/Execut...r=71933&Route=1&Adults=2&Children=0&Infants=0

Then on 26 May 2017 a railtour from Minehead, details here: http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/Execut...r=71937&Route=1&Adults=2&Children=0&Infants=0

The train returns to Bishops Lydeard in the afternoon then does an evening run which also returns to BL: http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/Execut...r=71955&Route=1&Adults=2&Children=0&Infants=0

 

Believe that was me.
That's brilliant. Definitely going on one of tour but a pleasure to see Scotsman on WSR rails.

 

Both trips look rather sensible, none of the 'silly o'clock business

 

Great story...

Guard James Mills, Driver Chris Northey and Fireman Harry Howe - with a combined age of 66 years and believed to be the youngest-ever WSR crew - with LMS 4F 0-6-0 no 44422 with the Quantock Belle at Crowcombe Heathfield on 18 September 2016. Pic kindly provided by Ian Robins.


http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2016/09/092

Steve