West Somerset Railway General Discussion

My PSSECR comment was somewhat tongue-in-cheek!

Why is abbreviation such a long word?

Merry Christmas from the Sunday crew at Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport, Maine, USA!

 

I think Robin is thinking Normany cider rather than Normandy butter!

 

Have you considered doing likewise? You made three statements with no supporting evidence, which looks like pontificating to me. Or is it the case that this thread can have but one pontiff, and you've already bagged that position?

 

Why not both? Each is fantastic provided it really is farm made.

P.H.

 

Steve said: "I always thought SEC stood for slow, easy and comfortable."
Robin said: "It’s the opposite of ‘doux’"
PaulH said: "That would be "demi-sel"

It's just that sec, demi-sec and doux are usually terms which describe French fizz!
Demi-sel however describes lightly salted butter.

You are right though, a few Normany crepes with butter and sugar, and a litre of cider would go down well...

Robin L

 

‘Twaz booze I had in mind...

Robin

 

Bl**dy annoying...

 

Feared as much!

P.

 

Andy, 2 or 3 times I've offered to pay for a one way footplate ride & been turned down each time ( I have done the SE & the DD course), a paying customer could be accommodated on every trip.

DJB.

 

This is done elsewhere and is good business.

PH

 

I believe Winter Steam Festival (WSF) trains are all to be formed of six passenger coaches, presumably to minimise any possible adhesion problems. We are operating two QB vehicles to provide the breakfast and luncheon services. Consequently the non-dining portion of the train, which will include a brake vehicle, will have limited seating capacity within those four coaches. Had we taken the First Open (supplement payable) within our consist, in place of a TSO, it would have further reduced seating capacity of the set and contributed to a perceived risk of overcrowding.

We will of course observe passenger loadings on our set over the WSF event, to see if there might be a case for running the FO at next year's event. As the QB has never previously been involved at WSF we have no past experience to draw on at this point. It didn't occur to me at planning stage this year but perhaps there is a strong case for running the FO in a different set to the kitchen/restaurant car.

A big advantage of running the catering vehicles within a six coach consist is that the whole rake can be stabled in BL bay platform siding each night. This allows land based services to be connected without the need to split our set and/or the need to perform a complex shunt, six coaches being the bay siding capacity.

I have received a number of comments about the 'scrum' to bag a breakfast table seat on the first QB service out of BL each special event morning. As we can only offer 31 seats each day of WSF, I am working up a plan to introduce some form of seat reservation system each morning, so that the service is truly first come, first served, rather than a lottery based on whereabouts on the platform the restaurant car entrance door happens to stop. This will probably take the form of a 'boarding pass,' handed out by the booking office, to the first 31 applicants each morning. I envisage this 'stop gap' arrangement morphing into a proper prepaid advance booking facility for Spring Steam Gala 2018 and beyond. Full details of arrangements will be posted here and elsewhere once firmed up.

Barrie

 

What trains will the QB be running on?

I rather liked being able to order bacon/sausage rolls at seat with decent coffee.

Oh and is a seat reserved for Yorkshireman?

 

Now there's a thought for the QB . An evening's run to the coast with crepes and cider !
How are you at cooking crepes, Barry ?

 

It is. The reason being that I am on wheels and have to board at the brake van so QB Steward kindly reserved a space for me due to my inability to join the scrum. I much appreciate his help.

 

That really refreshing news Bill, great to hear it. Thanks for sharing!
Ian C

 

Think you meant only "too" pleased to help, Adny. Incorrect usage of 'to' and 'too' often results in an alternative meaning from what was intended.

 

There are some good ideas here. My perception is that our core of paid staff who then have to organise these things are busy working hard doing the 'core' stuff and don't have the spare capacity to pick up the more peripheral things. What all of these initiatives need is a volunteer to not only have the good idea but then have the wherewithal to implement it and make it happen. The vintage car run is a good example where Robin had the idea, spent the time convincing commercial that it was a 'runner' then masterminded the operation. if she hadn't done that then it would have been just another stillborn idea. The QB is another good example where Barrie really believed in what he was doing - and now its a roaring success - well done (does that reserve me a space on the WSF QB?). I'm not advocating anarchy, it needs to be coordinated by commercial, but more hands can make light work.
We really are one-railway and despite what you may read on here, there is some great stuff going on. Some challenges too, of course, but if we all pull together and if we all step up to the plate and contribute what we can then even greater things can happen!! The PLC really DO want to support well-thought out and positive initiatives, wherever they come from.
Nuf sed. I've just finished watching the 1978 Abba Wembley concert on TV so I'm full of lively spirit!!
Ian C

 

I would refer you to this excellent news item, from wsr.org.uk: http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-news201710.htm#1272

 

Can’t say but I am sure his wife QB Cook is.

 

Sensible words, Ian. The Commercial folks have long struggled. They have a key coordinating role but it can be a pinch point leading to good ideas just not progressing beyond the approval stage which can lead to frustration and perhaps even anarchy in its mildest form Do they need help? Possibly, but over the years I have found it difficult to contribute. An example is online promotion of special events. I was delighted to be asked to help with this task but over time it was only marginally successful due to not having any news to broadcast (there were some exceptions, thankfully). I do hope the latest incarnation of the team - the Gala Planning Team - prove more forthcoming with snippets of news. Turning back to the mid 2000s, and my "gardens" idea, being so far from the Railway, I was fortunate to secure the help of John Dixon (much missed nowadays) to coordinate the "event" locally. So I fully agree with Ian's point about being able to provide the person-power to do the groundwork. If I do propose my idea again, then I will again need a local bod to help out. Any offers?


Steve