GWSR General Discussion and Operations

Having a nice destination to reach by steam train certainly seems to be working wonders for the GWSR, I also don't really seem to recall this much publicity for a railway in quite a while as well in more press than just the specialist magazines.

Which one would hope bodes rather well for the movement as a whole.

 

And the recent steam gala has paid for them !! (i.e. Filling the hole in the bank balance) I just find it annoying we've had to spend money on something like this which could have towards something like the footbridge steps. Needs must though!

 

This is really great news!
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2018/0...-as-passenger-numbers-double-in-may-2018.html

Knut

 

Not surprising really as Stratford upon Avon might be considered as the northern gateway to the Cotswolds. Those living in many areas of the West Midlands probably find Broadway an easier drive than Kidderminster - less built up areas to pass through maybe?

 

From yesterday the timetable has been tweaked to delay departures of some trains from each end of the line, giving a bit more time at Cheltenham and broadway with less time at winchcombe and toddington. This had been done after looking at feed back from staff and passengers. I’m sure things will change again for next season, we ideally need an earlier departure from Cheltenham (my thoughts).
Finally just to add, 6023 Has it’s last runs at the Gwsr this weekend, running alongside 7820, so giving a classic early 50’s feel.

 

Timetabling has certainly got a lot more complicated now we're a service as well as a train ride. For many volunteers (not me, I'd happily work a long day) the day is long enough as it is, but I do agree with you that we probably do need some earlier and later trains. Trouble is, once you've got an earlier or later train at Cheltenham, it's an even earlier or later start or finish at Toddington. There's no easy solution, but nice problem to have I suppose.

 

This is an inevitable issue for any railway with one servicing base in the middle.

 

Any chance of an automatic camera, triggered by any vehicle close to the maximum height? If the vehicle just clears the beam no harm done by recording its passage, and if it strikes the beam but not hard enough to be stopped you've got a record of it.

 

I wouldn't bank on such things being effective. There is a railroad bridge in the U.S. with protective beams, flashing lights, the lot. Despite this, bridge strikes are depressingly frequent and an individual has set up a video camera to show the folly of drivers. At least the beams stop the bridge itself from being damaged.

PH

 

Indeed, prevention is much better than catching the idiot after the event, we'd still have some very unhappy passengers if trains couldn't get to Broadway, knowing who did it would be of little comfort to them.

 

At least the video evidence can be used to prosecute the idiots.

 

It was running today

The extended time at Cheltenham got rather boring and I heard several families complaining about it. The TTI told me it was to allow the crews to have their statutory break.

 

At the end of the Long Parliament - Cromwell was urged "In God's name, go" - well he has gone

 

If it’s the same video I’ve seen before, it’s unbelievable! Bridge strike after strike - must go on for 10mins or so...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

A lovely photo of a beautiful locomotive Michael! Thanks for sharing it

Knut

 

As an rivet counter it was I think the other way round. It was Cromwell's dismissal of the Rump Parliament in 1653

The speech isn't recorded but the phrase is paraphrasing what Cromwell said.

"You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately ... Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"

(Could easily be applied to the stock in the linear scrapyard at Carnforth)

 

Just Carnforth? I guess this could apply to a great many more heritage places.

 

Carnforth is perhaps the worst IMO. (Are there worse?)

 

Yes, you're correct. I always got a bit confused about the political history of the Stuarts/Commonwealth period

 

6023 looking good in the sunshine yesterday morning. I was able to chase the 1050 Cheltenham departure and comfortably catch it at Gotherington, Hayles Abbey and Laverton.