West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Since there is already a separate thread on the topic that WSW just posted to it seems to be the locical place to discuss.

 

Is the WSR going even further with the Modern Image?
Just wondering about the vehicles at Back Right.
From the WSR photos

If you want a caboose for a Freightliner train we have got one.

 

AFAIK They are storage containers temporarily stored on flatbed wagons to enable them to be shunted about the site or moved to other locations on the railway. Nothing sinister.

 

Plenty of room for all things Heritage IMHO. I admire DEPG, they work hard to keep these machines running so that we can see what the early years of diesel were like.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now

Roebuck Gate Crossing looking towards Stogumber in 1972 / 2017.

Robin

1972


2017

 

Who operated the gates in 1972?

No-one. The line was shut.

Robin

 

I see that aldfort has been practising his levitation skills....

Robin

 

Yep, storage containers for the locomotive department. You'll also see bits of 9351 sat in the middle as well.

This vehicle once carried two water carrier tanks (where the containers are) and was going to be used by the 6024 locomotive society as a roving water carrier, much like what Tysley have with their converted GUV. I'm not sure what the final decision not to use it was based upon, but the wagon now usefully takes its place in our 'departmentals' list.

Ben

 

The second signal wire was for the up distant. Its signal lever had (has?) A spring assister which remained after the signal was disconnected after 1976. As a rookie blue anchor signalman in the early 1980s it was great fun to release the catch handle, stand clear and watch the signal lever thump over to the reverse position unencumbered by many yards of wire!

 

The art of not wrenching the signalmans arm off!

 

Presumably, following the passing of the very last BR train, the crossing keeper lost his or her job. The crossing gates would then have been firmly closed against rail traffic, until the demolition train arrived?

The one closed gate is, however, barring road vehicles.

Apologies if I'm missing something obvious.

 

In the 1972 picture the rail head looks as if a train had just passed.
Frank

 

I really do appreciate the then and now pictures Robin , please keep them coming .

Paul .,

 

Thank you.

Plenty more to come.

I am posting a pair a day on Facebook, some of which have been posted here before. Where they are new I am trying to remember to post them here as well.

Kind regards

Robin

 

West Somerset Railway -Then and Now

61 chains further from Paddington than Roebuck Gate we come to Leigh Wood Crossing. Few photographs of this exist, but this pair from 1973 / 2017 show the crossing keeper's cottagevthat was demolished in the early days of the present WSR to improve visibility at the crossing on its conversion to and AOCL. The brick built permanent Way hut to the right with its unusual single pitch sloping roof is still there.

All this can be taken in on a 3 mile walk between Crowcombe and Stogumber stations. Ideal for a summer afternoon, with a cream tea at Stogumber to end your walk!

Robin

1973


2017

 

Presumably, so was the road, given the position of one of the gates.

 

When do we find our which loco is used on flying Scotsman weekend on the return.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now

Roebuck Gate Crossing looking towards Crowcombe and Taunton in 1973 and 2017.

The changes here are extensive. All that remains is the crossing and the line of the rails.

Robin

1973


2017