If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

WSR Spring Steam Gala - Thu 27 to Sun 30 April 2017

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by gwr4090, Jan 3, 2017.

  1. DragonHandler

    DragonHandler Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2016
    Messages:
    1,286
    Likes Received:
    1,590
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West London
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Indeed.
    Closely followed by 1501 & 5199
     
  2. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,283
    Likes Received:
    2,650
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Rolls-Royce engineer
    Location:
    Bath Green Park / Mangotsfield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Thankfully the cloud disappeared on Saturday afternoon. The double-headed 4Fs looked superb at Castle Hill in the evening sunlight and were very noisy.

    A bonus came in the form of the 17:45 from Minehead to BL. 53808 was due to haul the train but 78018 was also coupled up and the train ran double-headed.

    Ex S&D loco 53809 made an appearance and successfully hauled a train of four blood and custard coaches.

    During the day the trains appeared full which is very good. Rain is supposed to make an appearance on Sunday afternoon so a day for travelling.

    Good to see the crews thoroughly enjoying themselves, lots of waving to the public and whistling from the locos.

    A very enjoyable gala so far. Well done to the WSR. <BJ>
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2017
    Barrie the Beer and SteamHawk216 like this.
  3. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    Yes an excellent day. Highlight for us the climb from Williton to CH with the double headed 4s keeping the very tight 15 minute booking with lots of noise
     
    SteamHawk216 likes this.
  4. Ian Milne

    Ian Milne New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2011
    Messages:
    151
    Likes Received:
    92
    Looks like there is a problem with the turnout that controls the two platforms at Mine head. 10.45 departure can't be released.
     
    Librarybloke likes this.
  5. collet1930

    collet1930 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2011
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    25
    Just been watching the web cams at Minehead with S&T working on the points this side of the level crossing.Trains spot on time at Bishops.
     
  6. collet1930

    collet1930 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2011
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    25
    1501 just got the 10.45 departure away 45 mins down on a green flag from the signalman.Kilmersden looking splendid waiting to start operations .
     
  7. Ian Milne

    Ian Milne New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2011
    Messages:
    151
    Likes Received:
    92
    10.45 off at 11.30. home starter was still on when it left.
     
  8. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Messages:
    14,900
    Likes Received:
    12,241
    If you've got an iPhone you can set the camera up to behave like a magnifying glass.

    Settings > General > Accessibility > Magnifier

    Pressing the home button three times turns it on. Particularly useful for dimly lit restaurants in my experience.

    Simon
     
    marcus and Black Jim like this.
  9. Ian Monkton

    Ian Monkton Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2011
    Messages:
    945
    Likes Received:
    993
    Location:
    South Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I've been watching as well. The arrival of the 0950 BL was flagged in after the crossing was operated manually. This suggests to me that there is a problem with the locking on those points which means the signals cannot be cleared.
     
  10. collet1930

    collet1930 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2011
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    25
    S&T now manually moving the points and clipping them for operation.
     
  11. Ian Monkton

    Ian Monkton Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2011
    Messages:
    945
    Likes Received:
    993
    Location:
    South Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    All seems to be working again, but trains up to an hour late.
     
  12. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2013
    Messages:
    2,882
    Likes Received:
    3,590
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    TBC
    Location:
    Birmingham & Arley
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Great show, thanks to all who were involved !
     
  13. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2014
    Messages:
    2,237
    Likes Received:
    918
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Points failure was bad luck. Great gala otherwise.

    What a sight double headed 4Fs are.
     
    SteamHawk216 likes this.
  14. Waterbuck

    Waterbuck Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2009
    Messages:
    851
    Likes Received:
    567
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Yorkshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    We enjoyed the Gala as usual, attached is a shot of the 4f's at Norton Fitzwarren on Saturday.

    DSC_0491named.jpg
     
  15. 49010

    49010 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2012
    Messages:
    1,219
    Likes Received:
    995
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gentleman of Leisure
    Location:
    Stockport
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Another good gala from the WSR, which never disappoints (well, it doesn't disappoint me anyway). Favourite bits - catching the two 4F's from BA to WN on the Friday morning and then later that day catching the two 7Fs from MD to WD, two storming ascents of Washford bank, lots of noise - absolutely marvellous; the two 4 coach rakes on Friday shuttling to / from WN was an interesting angle - shows some though going into how to structure a varied offering of services; the Freight, of course, given my tastes was marvellous. A nice mix of wagons and nicely jumbled up. I just wish I had known a bit more about where it was running to / from ahead of the event, I knew it was running but not when or where until I arrived. (Should have just ordered the programme ahead of time really.)

    I also discovered the joy of walking that stretch from Crowcombe to Stogumber, always my favourite scenic stretch of this line, definitely scope for some amateur photting next year. PS do I get a prize for reporting the first Cuckoo of Spring (in Crowcombe Heathfield woods on BH Monday)?

    As for the timing, I confess I'm a fan of earlier in the year. The prospect of a trip to Somerset always helps me get through the dead days of Jan and early Feb. That said I can see the attractions of a Bank Holiday Gala in May, especially since the NYMR seems to have given up on their Gala at this time of year. On balance I still prefer a bit earlier rather than a bit later.

    It's obvious that a good deal of thought has gone into this gala including the mix of locos, the 4 coach services and the freight well done to the planners and those who made it happen.
     
  16. The stations at Crowcombe and Stogumber joined forces a few years back to produce a leaflet describing the walks between the two stations. They commissioned a map from me too: http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-map-ce-sr.htm

    [​IMG]

    and a while later, the folks at Minehead, Dunster and Blue Anchor followed suit: http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-map-md-dr-ba.htm

    [​IMG]

    Maybe these maps might help/inspire folks to step out into the Somerset countryside/seaside close by the Railway.

    Steve
     
  17. 6960 Raveningham Hall

    6960 Raveningham Hall Member Friend

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2016
    Messages:
    713
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired.
    Location:
    Near St. Austell, Cornwall.
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    While I was riding the trains on Friday my wife did the walks between Minehead station and Williton station.

    She thoroughly enjoyed it.

    I think Williton station to Bishops Lydeard station is on her itinerary for the Autumn Steam Gala.

    Stef.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2017
  18. DragonHandler

    DragonHandler Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2016
    Messages:
    1,286
    Likes Received:
    1,590
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West London
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Great video.
     
    LMarsh1987 likes this.
  19. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2011
    Messages:
    905
    Likes Received:
    1,251
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swindon


    My footage from the Saturday. A personal highlight for me was 5199 at Roebuck Woods. A BR Black Prairie on a rake of chocolate & cream Mk1s, in absolutely gorgeous weather; what more could you ask for?
     
    854tiger, Mick45305 and horace like this.


  20. A great 2 days at WSR Spring Gala. Well done to all involved!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 1, 2017

Share This Page