West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Is the kind gentleman explaining to the ladies (or vice versa) that they've just missed the last train, not of the day, but ever?

 

Which one is which?

 

The fireman had short arms?

Tom

 

The Severn Valley Railway was very similar. A white S and T on a black background was the 'normal' indication. The plate would be reversed to display a red S or T on a white background to indicate a failure of Signals or Telegraph equipment that the signalman could not fix. The system pre-dated the introduction of telephones on the line, and display of the warning required the guard of a passing train to notify the appropriate maintenance staff at the nearest station.

The introduction of telephones on the SVR around 1906 would have made this unnecessary. However in typical railway fashion, plates survived on some boxes as late as the 1960s.

Bewdley North had a problem with the signals today. Or given the date, maybe not...

 

The arrogance of some lineside photters, going to the extent of making abusive phone calls, is amazing. Don't they realise that a fatal (or even non-fatal) accident could jeopardise the future of the railway that (hopefully) we all love?

John

 

It is a bit like Brexit. Accept it, guys, and move on. There is no excuse for rudeness.

We have 9 months to enjoy, then we find other places to take photos and there are also rover tickets to buy. I am hoping to renew my lsp in time for the SSG. And, yes, I may even try some of Alan Turner's "long shots" from "outside the fence".

 

Arm yourself with a 1:25,000 map and do some creative thinking. There are lots of places for different views.

 

Post deleted

 

Bit like me then!!!!! Short legs as well!!!

 

This was a common thing on all railways at least in the pre-grouping period. I have a vague memory that the North Eastern Railway used a plain white ellipse with black edging as the "all in order" sign.

I'd expect the WSR and the SVR to use the same signage, as they were both part of Reading's domain.

Of course even when phones were fitted, there is the question of how you report phone faults. I had an interesting turn a few months back, when I couldn't hear a word anyone on the phone said to me, but they could all hear me perfectly! Reporting that was ... a bit tricky, but I managed it somehow. This being the modern age, I suspect the local exchange at that station needed a reboot.

 

Good news for all those going to the diesel gala, went to Minehead today to see D2271 up by the shop with all the nose panels refitted and painted ex works Green so I assume the engine has been refitted to the loco so there's a good chance it might do something at the gala

 

At least he got it on the middle bracket for 'Light Engine' & not on the firemans side one.
Thanks for the explanation of the S & T signs . One of the things so facsinating about the pre group era , that every railway co. had its own differences.

 

That would be good news and a major draw on a passenger train!!

 

This seems to reflect the normal practice on GWR branchlines where bunker first running occured. You do not have to look to far at old photos to see that it was common to not use the top lamp bracket on Western tank engine bunkers and anyone who has tried to put a lamp up there will know why. Just another reminder about how unergonomic GW loco design was. The only other loco with an impossibly placed lamp bracket was the top front on an A4.

Now that I have upset both GWR camps (remember Gresley Was Right!) I'd better run for cover.

Peter James

 

Oh I thought it was just me! My somewhat limited experience of GWR tank engines is that putting a lamp on the top iron on the bunker is a real swine, and I'm not especially short. I think it is the way the bunker flares out that means it is hard to get a good hold while trying to manoeuvre a heavy lamp above head height.

Tom

 

That's correct. The obverse has a black ellipse with a white edge. Examples exist at both Levisham and Goathland on the NYMR. Not sure about New Bridge; I must look!

 

Suspect this is not thread-topic-site relevant but don't know where else to go. I have been trying to source new type for the Edmonson Ticket Date-Stamp machines we use in our WSR Booking Offices. Our previous source, Chris White, seems to have disappeared off the radar - not answering eMails etc. Can anyone advise on a possible source, or even where I should be enquiring. Clearly I am after new unused type, so eBay would not work I think. I begin to fear there will be no further availability and eventually we will be resorting to rubber date stamps and ink pads.

 

A quick internet search throws up M&H Type of Sanfranciso CA as still casting hot metal type.

They have an on-line catalogue and can be contacted by e-mail.

Not sure what UK-based alternatives there are.

Robin

 

Try Caslons at www.caslon.co.uk/Adana/Type‎.

 

David - pm sent.

On a related topic, what's happening to ticketing on the WSR this year?
It seems to have gone all-electronic.
It seems that if I buy an e-mail ticket in advance, I just walk on the train & the paper ticket is validated by the TTI. No waiting at the Ticket Office.
Is that correct or do I trade the paper or phone ticket for a real one at the Ticket Office?
What happens if I just show up? Do I get a paper or Edmondson ticket? In recent years it's been an Edmondson over-printed WSRA.
Any ideas?