West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I'm confused here. What is "modern panoramic" stock? Any unit post the 1950's designed DMU's on which I have travelled fails the "panoramic" test dismally.

 

Are you trying to get Robin going again? Hi -viz clothing is as far removed from the heritage aspect of railways as any modern signage and is anyway of dubious safety value on a 25 mile an hour railway, let alone in a fenced off yard. A yellow vest is no protection against getting run over if you are rash enough to get in the way of a train anyway.

Peter James

 

It doesn't surprise me. What is worse is where an advertised steam service has to be replaced by a diesel. I was dressed in civvies on Watchet station when this happened and I overheard one person speaking to his family, "I didn't pay all that money to travel behind a b..... diesel"

 

I agree, and my post 8666 hinted at that. However a train at any speed can conceivably kill you if you fall beneath it. It should be remembered that the hi-vis requirement is for the driver/crew of the locomotive just as much as the person on the ballast/cinders - they have no desire to injure anyone. Moreover given that a large proportion of volunteers are of or past UK retirement age means that for many their hearing and maybe sight just 'aint what it used to be!

 

Does the WSR have a requirement for people to wear hi-viz away from a running line? I don't know; I'm simply asking the question.

 

Looking to the future I would suggest that we keep an eye on the outside world and keep our destiny in our own hands by being forward looking. There are homes being built along the line, Watchet, Dunster, Bishops Lydeard, Norton Fitzwarren . Land is being sold for development at Cotford St Luke. Norton Manor is closing and surely will go for development. The Watchet paper mill is ripe for it. There are shops in Minehead with posters in the window calling for a Taunton rail-link. I admit I am beyond the limit of my knowledge on this but isn't the railway owned by SCC and leased to us? Just suppose that SCC decided that a public service railway was required, could we find ourselves with a problem? Could SCC flex its muscle? Would we be better off anticipating the direction of travel and making sure we cover the bases ourselves to protect what we have and our ambitions?

 

If either a commercial, or SCC subsidised, service was to be viable it would need to be fully funded including the cost of running the additional services entirely using paid staff. And paying the commercial cost for the additional wear & tear to rolling stock and infrastructure. Otherwise, why should the volunteers do it?

 

So will Hi Viz prevent you from falling beneath at a train at any speed?

 

Are you seriously suggesting that SCC with all its financial problems would fund a Minehead - Taunton rail link? Its already cutting/has cut bus subsidies like mad.

 

I'm just thinking of the Gwili and the Lavender Line.

 

Yes. Hi-viz, PPE, call it what you will, anywhere within the railway boundary but not in public areas (eg platforms). Steam loco staff are excepted if working on or with their loco. Not an official response of course!

Washford Yard is a bit of an odd one as the public can enter (with valid entry ticket) even when shunting is undertaken (altho I stress the shunting is very carefully supervised indeed).

Looking at the picture in question, I'd be concerned about anyone with or without hi-viz, standing in or near the four foot, on any line or siding, unless they are clearly staff going about legit work.

Steve

 

Time for the Pink Porcines Display Team to return from their winter quarters in the Bahamas.

 

She does not need my help to do that.

 

I think Tormorgaig in post 8682 adequately answered that comment.

 

A public commuter service on the Gwili? where did you dream that?

 

The Welsh Assembly Government are undertaking a feasibility study into reopening Camarthen - Aberystwyth. It appears that some in authority see it as an important way to create a through route from south to north Wales.

 

Yes but how on earth would they ever fund that now that without EU assistance?

 

Don't look at me ..... I was just ruminating on post #8668!!

Couldn't agree more about post-1st gen DMU stock and I'm just glad I experienced the Cambrian Coast Line and the early WSR while the class 103's were running. Pity they didn't last as well as they looked .... had it been asbestos removal OR serious bodywork issues, I'd imagine rather more of them would still be with us.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #132

Washford 1927 / 2017

A 'metro' tank at Washford in 1927 with a train including a through coach from London at its head, likely one slipped from th 'Cornish Riviera' at Taunton. Note the brick extension to the loading dock.

This is one of the many photos carefully analysed in Ian Coleby's excellant line history, still available from WSR book shops for those compliling their Christmas lists....

In the 'Now' shot the accommodation crossing remains a very visible surviving feature, now joined by the Burnham signal box rom the S&DJR.

1927


2017

 

As a volunteer driver on a heritage railway, this is Spot on.
Mr and Mrs Normal are conditioned to seeing Hi Vis worn in every aspect of operations be it rail road, air or sea now so its not affecting their experience. Also I do not think for one minute any of the moaners would turn up in court should an incident occur to state Hi Vis was not being worn as it spoiled their pictures and did not look right.

Brian