West Somerset Railway - Spring Steam Gala - 22nd to 25th March 2018

Mr Gifford did ok out of that!

 

Should add wasn't complaining, in fact probably saw just about every weather possible last weekend, certainly added some variety!

 

Certainly looking forward to 1940 weekend now, there’s endless possibilities for the special event team to come up with.

Is there a separate tread for the 1940 weekend?

 

I know the feeling! Sunshine and Snow at Bewdley on the Saturday! Took the photo walked up to the platform, boarded the train, between there and Arley, snow came down again at Trimply, then sun again at Arley!

 

Another cracking gala weekend put on by the West Someret, probably my favourite of this gala season.
The weather was challenging on the first two days but still plenty of possibilities.
The last day was exceptional, I had a 100% hit rate for well lit trains from the first freight to the very last train of the weekend. Congratulations to Don Bishop and the organsing team, it was a superb special event. Thanks to all the volunteers on the footplate, trains and platform staff. A special mention for Crowcombe and Heathfield, this must be the friendliest station in the UK, their pasties and bacon slices were magnificent but their bread and butter pudding is a work of art

The last shall be first ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Pure GWR by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Helping the war effort ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

SVR mates at Crowcombe ... by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

The holiday express gets double power up the branch. by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

Spring at last at Bicknoller by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

 

Lovely photo's there @Macko! Really like the 7714 and 1450 photo, if they could talk, I wonder what they'd have to say!

 

And another video from the Gala

 

As a volunteer at Crowcombe Heathfield, I would like to thank you for your kind comments! For anyone local who wants to obtain said pasties and bacon slices, we get them from Glenmores in Williton. The bread pudding (NB - not 'and butter'!) is provided by one of our regular supporters.

 

My friend and I visited the station at least twice every day for refreshment stops Ian. It is just such a pleasant place to wile away the hours and the pleasant smiles on every face and warm welcome from the volunteers on undoubtedly one of the busiest weekends of the calender ijust adds to the experience. We look forward to our next visit and please pass on our thanks to your fellow vounteers.

 

Macko - as one of Ian's fellow volunteers, thank you for your appreciation...It makes all the hard work everyone puts in so worthwhile...

 

I had a cracking time at the WSR this last weekend, as I have for the last 8 years with the WSR Spring Gala. Many thanks to one and all who put on quite a show in conditions that were not always ideal.

The PWay gang (or someone) has done a great deal of lineside clearance which shows up in the videos on here and I'm sure was a) hard work and b) well worth it judging from the videos. Well done whoever did it.

The delays on Saturday were due to problems with a token machine at Blue Anchor - a reminder that all of this depends on ageing machinery which can play up at any time. I was observing proceedings on the Sunday from Hurley Beacon on top of the Quantocks, I saw the first train out of BL arrive at Crowcombe but there seemed to be a delay to the first train from MH - was I right or did I just miss it what with distance etc.

My personal favourite (perhaps selfishly) was 6046 from the CVR, behind which I had two storming assaults in Washford from Blue Anchor, I also particularly enjoyed 7822 on the Saturday storming Washford bank fr0m the other side. Other little personal favourites - my first visit to the Blue Anchor Hotel in some years, just as well as the Sea, not content with it's relentless attritional assaults on the Beer Garden has now executed a deep outflanking attack that threatens the place from the rear - if you want to visit the place, do so soon folks. Then there were , my first lambs of the year, first Primroses, first Skylark song and all the other stuff that brings me back year after year..... and I'll be back in 2019 because it's the WSR, and it's worth it.

 

Galas like this make you realise how far preservation has come over the years, even in winter. Even in the deepest south-west, winter isn't too bad for steam - Christmas/ New Year winter steam up on several lines, regular steam some days on the Kingswear line, February half term on most lines, and the WSR gala to really open the main season!

John

 

CH is a lovely place to soak up the atmosphere and partake of tea, cake, pasties and bacon slices which were all very good. Thanks again.