West Somerset Railway General Discussion

But if you try to use the roughly parallel footpaths through the fields as I did last week, be warned....in places they are very overgrown, and the cows in the field near Leigh Wood are not friendly.

It was a very hot morning, and I started from Stogumber thinking I might be able to catch the 1020 off BL (it was 0900 when I left Stogumber). Actually I caught the 1240 off BL from CH. The tea and scones were still very nice when I got back though, and it was a lovely morning wandering along and listening to the trains. So much so I had to return twice more just to check it wasnt a fluke. it wasnt. I dont think there are many more pleasant places to while away time than the station garden. BTW I liked the Std 9 in the carpark!

 

Thanks!

I haven't used the footpaths this year as I have been a bit busy with my garden.

Could you PM me with details of where they are especially difficult and I will see what can be done.

I use the lanes fot my morning run but you would need to be at Stogumber by 06:00 !

We generally suggest the train ride first and then walking back to your transport. That deals with any inaccuracies of travel estimation!

Robin

 

I hope that makes you feel good. I won't bother posting anymore.

 

No doubt efficient signalling staff in Minehead Box today. And no arms chopped off any firemen either while exchanging tokens!

 

I have to say that I enjoy sorting out complex operating problems, as we had to today to do the best for our customers when (temporary) problems arose with the 4F.

It was also good to be working with other flexible operators (two guards in particular were happy to set swap at Blue Anchor at one point to get everything and everybody back where they needed to be) - and various bits of the loco department were able to show their problem solving skills.

We had to be a bit ruthless with the (relatively lightly loaded) middle of the day train services, but it meant that the (much more heavily loaded) end of the day services ran pretty much perfectly to time and everything ended up where it needs to be for tomorrow.

I learned my operating on the Southern where 'Control's mission statement (we didn't call it that, then) was: 'to return to the booked service as rapidly as possible'.

And that's what we did.

Well done folks.

Robin (WSR line controller today)

 

I had noticed the difference in the SM House garden since last year, it is looking very tidy indeed. The house itself still looks like it would be more at home on my home line though given the colours

I will PM you when I can get at the map to remind myself of the location names.

Changing tack. One thing I am puzzled by, and you may be able to explain....why is it that even when the signalman is in possession of line clear and has the token for the forward section before the train passes even the distant, there is still a requirement to caution the train at the outer and inner homes, and the starter isnt cleared until the home is passed? Why not simply clear all the signals?

 

Your choice...
Had you tried to use Google to search for "Ravingham Hall PGN" you would not have had any useful information returned, which is probably why you needed to ask the question in the first place. Had you used Google to search for "Raveningham Hall PDN" (as corrected) it would have revealed a page full of answers. If you don't want to know why your search turns up no results, that's fine by me.

 

Hopefully a repaint this autumn (or possibly in the Spring). Plenty of GWR paint on hand.

Thanks.

In the circumstances you describe, no reason (or requirement) not to pull right through. Perhaps you observed an occasion when the signalman needed to speak to the driver?

Robin

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now

A flooded Sea Lane Crossing at Dunster in the 1950's / 2017 with Minehead North Hill clearly visible in the background.

The River Avill Relief Channel is a significant Railway feature just to the east of here and has significantly reduced the flooding of this marshy area, particularly after heavy rain on Exmoor.

Robin

1950's


2017

 

All urban dwellers need to remember that cows are the farm animals that people need to be most wary of, especially when they have dogs with them. A significant number of farm workers get killed by cows.

PH

 

Perhaps some of those cows could be moved to fields adjacent to heritage railways elsewhere in the country, which are crying out for livestock but have only arable vistas to offer?

(And remember - small cows consume less grass, but can still produce useful amounts of milk)

Tom

 

Smaller cows also emit fewer noxious gases

 

The breeds have been getting larger and more numerous of modern times. Time that there were a few new builds of the smaller classes?

 

Yet another classic case of "big bovineitis"?

 

Agreed. Indeed it is generally considered sensible to avoid entering fields where there are cattle or sheep if accompanied by a dog. Herd animals can panic or, in some circumstances, become agressive if confronted by strange dogs. And, yes, that does include your lap-dog / poodle/ elderly labrador.

 

The methane emission from cows is a by productof the four chamber bovine digestive system. The largest is the rumen from which large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane that the cow emits by the process of belching rather than from the other end as many believe. The average sized modern cow produces around forty to sixty litres an hour when digesting food. Maybe someone will make a fortune if they can capture the methane. Of course cow manure is rich in nutrients and on farm machinery is often used to produce methane from slurry and generate electricity.

 

I am reminded of an incident some years ago when, walking with some friends and their Old English sheepdog (on a lead) through a field on the lower slopes of Ilkley Moor, an agressive sheep made a silent charge at my legs from the rear, bringing me to the ground with a severe headbutt. He then stood over me making annoyed baas, which may have translated as 'Now beggar off, and don't come back'. The dog, being trained to avoid sheep, just sat there.

Sheep can be nearly as dangerous as cows, especially if equipped with horns such as the Swaledale variety. The males can be quite bad-tempered.

 

Thanks, Robin. A very reasonable explanation.

 

We could possibly arrange a swap with some sheep.

Bob.