WSR Autumn Steam Gala, Thu 6 to Sun 9 October 2016

What an absolutely brilliant gala, so nice to have a few GWR tank engines working the Wizzer again. I didn't get a chance to ride the autotrain this time but plenty of folk did and it most certainly looked the part.

A most satisfying weekend as far as Quantock Belle's contribution to ASG was concerned. We served just over 120 full English breakfasts over the two operating days and almost 200 hot meals in total. A fair sprinkling of NP regulars enjoyed our hospitality and it was good to put a couple more faces to familiar NP handles. We were pleased to deal with several enquiries about our regular Sunday lunch service and also received a promising private charter train enquiry.

We have recently proposed that our gala dining train service might also operate on gala Fridays in the future, as was once the norm. The level of support we enjoyed this time suggests that it might well be worth introducing an advance booking option for dining car seats at gala events. What chance the First Open also gets an outing at SSG 2017?

Barrie

 

4936 'Kinlet Hall' at Woolston on her last trip prior to overhaul. Still frame captured from video to be uploaded on Tuesday

 

Great photo.

 

Great photograph!

 

My video from Saturdays ASG.

 

Well, thank you all.

It was nice that when the last train was waiting to cross at Blue Anchor on Saturday the tea counter there was opened - the Buffet Car was shut and my two oldest & I were a bit thirsty!

Middle Son (8) was over the moon about it all but asking for his bed by the time we got to BL - andhis Victorian Transport homework was done in the old Midford Signal Box

One thing though - could the QB do 'take out' coffee/bacon baps etc as they did in March again?

 

Was chatting to a visitor outside the Swindon Shed on Sat and after he had a joke with one of the orange boiler-suit brigade, which the person took the right way said that he loves coming the the WSR as they are more friendly against some railways where the volunteers are miserable and, just as likely to go off in a huff if someone says something they don't like even if it was a joke.

 

A great video.

 

That's an impressive photo!!

 

Hi John,

We are now fully occupied operating a gala restaurant car service, providing seated meals only. Our train also conveys a buffet car serving take away coffee and hot food. Additionally, during the gala, a take away hot food facility was operating from the Bishops Lydeard station car park.

In the recent past a take away bacon bap service was indeed provided, but only because we did not have the custom to keep our restaurant fully occupied. With the benefit of promotion of our service through official channels we simply do not have the capacity to cater for anyone beyond our seated restaurant customers.

We do though cater for and value the custom of families, and will always be flexible in providing suitable menu items for all members of the family. Please come and try us out next gala.

Best wishes,

Barrie
QB manager

 

Another great ASG I enjoyed every minute of the 3 days I spent there, well, with the possible exception of the minutes spent waiting for late running trains on Saturday. But that didn't really matter.
As a photographer it was slightly disappointing that all the locos weren't turned at both ends as in previous galas, but I guess we can't have that and the Taunton shuttle.

 

A set of images from the second day of the WSR ASG can now be seen on my Zenfolio website at: - http://mickrogers.zenfolio.com/p112471117


Thanks to all at the WSR.
Cheers,

 

one from saturday

 

My footage of Sunday's gala featuring Kinlet Hall's final runs before her overhaul. Enjoy.

 

Do send your photos in to www.wsr.org.uk run by @West Somerset Wizard That is were most of the working volunteers look.

Robin

 

Autotrain waiting for its next turn on Sunday.

 

For the S&D fans and Steve the Fireman

 

After everybody had gone home on Sunday, the full GWR shed at Bishops Lydeard with its newly installed lighting working well. 1450, 6435, 5542, 4936 & 6960

 

In the interest of balance, here's one from the other side.

I didn't have a ride in No 4, but the restoration job, both inside and out, is (no pun intended) first class.
Cheers,

 

4936 Kinlet Hall backs onto shed to drop its fire for the last time before heavy overhaul