West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Fair point.
On your plan you relocate the signal box I guess due to the width needed on the platform, does the existing box have space for enough levers in the frame to work a new layout or was it part of your rationale that there would need to be a new box with a bigger frame in any case so it has to be rebuilt whether its where it currently is or re-sited.

 

94xx ?

 

Yes.

Layout requires around 55 levers.

Existing box only has 33.

Robin

 

Most certainly not by me ! I'm quite an amiable chap. My point is that we have had a number of cock-ups which have in part, been driven by the pressure of time. The official WSR stats record an arrival or departure within 5 minutes as "on time" yet we appear to try to run to the split second. That's where the mistakes start.

 

Perhaps - but then we don't do turns where booking on at say 2 am is necessary, nor do we sit in draughty loops for hours on end or travel tender first at 45mph. For the majority of the timetabled year running tender first is not a great hardship. Ex GWR cabs are usually just fine (as are those on the current ex LM residents) in the sunny South West and if this was a major concern then locos such as 4110 & 4160 provide a practical answer.

 

Nope, wrong attitude.

I have managed Railway timekeeping in one way or another for approaching 40 years now.

The only way to run a service is for all staff involved to keep to time. One member of staff generally will not know the implications on others of their running 'only a few minutes' late. The cumulative effect snowballs and.....

So, with respect, Brian. If you are due off Shed at XX:20, then be ready. If you are due to leave at XX:15, it isn't acceptable to be loading buffet supplies at XX:10, etc., etc.....

A safe and timely Railway is one where everyone is where they are expected, when they are expected, doing what is expected. In fact, safety is usually more at risk once late running sets in.

Robin

 

Whilst I agree in general, if for whatever reason there has been a problem, for instance loco failure so a delay whilst it's fixed, then rushing to try and keep to time *can* be dangerous. It's all a balance, no, don't be slap dash about the timetable, it's there to be followed, but equally, don't compromise safety just to keep to time.

 

I agree - when there is a real issue.

I don't agree when we are dealing with the 'oh it's only a couple of minutes' view.

Robin

 

Just a suggestion but I see some parallels between the Southern Gateway issues & those, thankfully now resolved, with the Bridgnorth redevelopment ones.

Given that a certain amount of pain was experienced getting the right approach in place to start with for Bridgnorth would it be worth asking for feedback on the Southern Gateway from the now successful Bridgnorth redevelopment team?

 

And communication.
If the station master at A sees that the buffet staff are still loading catering supplies close to departure time, then the controller/signalmen at B and C need to be told so that if possible other trains can be regulated to avoid long delays.

Obviously it helps if the WTT has a recovery time built in somewhere, and if the staff all understand that that is where the service can recover then that helps too.

Michael

 

And also communication with passengers, they're always much happier if you've told them there's going to be a short delay rather than just letting them sit there.

 

Let's be honest the biggest impact on day to day timekeeping is late arriving passengers and how we react to them.
Typical BL scenario, 1 minute to departure, you have the road you have the token, you're just watching the needle nudge around towards full pressure and thinking about looking for right away. You lean out and as you do so the radio used by a member of platform staff crackles into life and you hear the fateful words "Party of 4 just arrived in the car park".
I'm not saying it should be any other way but I totally agree with Robin, the whole train crew must be ready on time and shunts must commence at the time stated. We are running a railway at the end of the day and it should be a matter of pride.

 

There is still one thing missing from the improvements !!!!!!!! at BL station is no toilets still on the station platform. This must be worked in somehow. Also a water crane should be at one end of the main platform as well as this would save time when the engine runs around the train.

 

Why? There are toilets close by, and on the train itself.

They can't just be 'worked in'. They have implications for space, drainage etc etc. Assume that the 'welcome centre / car park' and the 'cafe/museum' have toilets. Why would they need to be on the platform as well where space will be under pressure?

Agreed. Preferably at the northern (usual departure) end to encourage locos to run round and then take water.

Robin

 

I accept that toilets need not be on the platform area but most definitely be within any station building and easily and quickly located and accessed by customers. I know one person connected with the WSR would hope that baby changing facilities were included in any plans - he is correct. Heritage atmosphere is all well and good but it does need to encompass 21st. century habits and needs.

 

Except that the train is standing in the station and the fireman may be coupling up.

 

Whilst I agree 100% that you should endeavour to run to time, you are dealing with Joe Public who are generally on holiday and this does create a bit of a dilemma. It is almost routine for people to turn up at or just before departure time and buy their ticket. They expect the train to wait for them, especially if it is an hour or more to the next one. They don't consider it to be like the big railway. They aren't in a rush; they are on holiday and, in any case granny isn't able to sprint from the car park. It all comes down to a compromise at the end of the day.
For my part, I always aim to be ready for the RA at the right time, then any delay is not attributable to me. I hope the same goes for other operational staff.

 

It also helps to have a publicly advertised time slightly before the WTT departure.

Michael

 

And not just baby changing facilities - a Changing Place would be very very useful for those who need such facilities.

Steve

 

Installing such facilities in a non-heritage area, such as the welcome centre or museum/café planned for Bishops Lydeard, is so much easier than trying to shoe-horn, and disguise them in the heritage areas - like the platforms.

Robin