West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Robin - what are the duties of Line Controller (presumably somewhat similar to the duty Operating Supervisor that we have every day?). Feels to me that being both Line Controller and Signalman is a big job - is it normal that they are combined, or would the preference be that they are separate roles and it was an out-of-course situation that you ended up doing both on one day?

Tom

 

If a loop is being considered the Dunster side of the crossing it would be false economy not to provide the extra road at the crossing as the extra cost would be relatively small and could provide even more flexibility. Time to think outside the box for a change.

 

As you know, there was a time when I used to be on the Bluebell's daily 'Responsible Officer' roster, took the same role for the K&ESR some years ago and was first line operating response for British Railways when I worked for them. On quieter days there is no problem with combining Minehead signalman and Line Controller but you can be a bit stretched on busier days. We do always have an on-call 'Duty Officer' as well. How / when the Controller / Minehead signalman might be split is something 'on the list' for the new 'Head of Operating' to consider when he starts in June.

Robin

 

I disagree.

Robin

 

Would you be kind enough to explain your reasons? Doing it when the crossing is being revamped anyway would cost very little extra whereas adding a road later would be many times more costly. The "spare" road need not be connected beyond the crossing limits until required.

 

As explained 24/12/2016 https://www.national-preservation.c...ilway-operations.508987/page-139#post-1692045

 

So is it currently that the two roles (Line Controller and Minehead Signalman) are always combined?

I can see advantages both ways - certainly combining them cuts out one link in any communications chain - though also I can imagine that if you had an untoward issue that required some complex resolution, liaison with outside stakeholders and maybe replanning of the service, you wouldn't necessarily wish to be dealing with that while also carrying out signalling duties. (Or would those kind of things be taken up by the Duty Officer?) Always interesting to see what operating practices other lines use, in any case.

(As an aside - I was Loco Running Foreman on the second day of the Flying Scotsman gala at the Bluebell, and even though my responsibility and authority essentially began and ended at the loco yard exit signal, I don't think I would have wanted anything else to deal with on top, certainly not for the first four hours of the day!)

Tom

 

Thanks but it seems to me that a few thousand spent when the crossing is revamped would allow extra flexibility in future at much less cost than if a second road had to be constructed later. It is certainly worth considering costing it rather than rejecting it out of hand as some seem to be doing.

 

Yes and make it dual gauge too

Steve
(one day the WSR will recreate the SCR )

 

Yes, that is the present arrangement.

The extent to which the Duty Officer gets involved with any incident is a matter of discussion between the Controller and the Duty Officer.

Robin

 

Yes.

The WSR is at capacity at Galas with an hourly service. This is determined by the long BA to WN and WN to CE sections.

Greater capacity, the ability to run a Goods train during the passenger service and the opportunity to have some recovery time in a stretched timetable requires those long sections to be divided.

Some additional terminal capacity at both BL and MD would not go amiss, in time.

Robin

 

Always wanted to see a loco being loaded on to lorry, delighted to watch this afternoon

 

Looks like it is a different method from the norm.
Saves building 2 ramps though, just need enough space to get 2 trailers positioned back to back.

 

Please explain how, if we are not talking about a physical third platform?

 

Both platforms occupied.

Arriving train 'arrives' in loop Dunster side of Level crossing and so clears single line to Dunster.

Train departs either main or bay platform.

Train in loop enters now free platform.

And for my next trick.....

Robin

 

Having been impressed with the length of Minehead's platform I have often wondered if there is any value in "splitting" the platform with a mid-way point to allow two trains to operate from the platform; the one nearest the buffers being able to depart via said point then leaving the top half of the platform to either act as a loop (whereby trains set back before passengers entrain) or simply stand until ready for departure.

 

How would this train in the loop give up the single line token to allow it to be given to the departing train.

then

How would the train in the loop then be allowed to leave the loop to enter the platform.

Would the signal box have to be moved the other side of the crossing ???

Jeff Price