West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The article is well worth reading by everyone, not just those interested in the WSR. I can see a few other heritage railways being in a similar situation if the truth is known.

 

RIP John Farley, a good mate.

 

A West Somerset Railway Station you can own!

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now

Dunster Station 1972 / 2018

One of the joys of the line are the attractive station buildings. Those built for the extension from Watchet to Minehead in 1874 form a distinctive architectural group not found elsewhere. And so when Hornby wanted a ‘typical’ country station, where else to look?

Collection of Nick Jones / Robin White

 

I guess you have to be a subscriber to read the whole article, the small excerpt on the website is nothing more than a brief introduction to the situation.
https://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/minehead-sells-prairie-to-dart-valley-to-cut-liabilities/

 

Go to: https://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/
Scroll down to 'Check out Heritage Railway' This is a taster of the magazine with the first 14 pages. Turn to page 6 and read the full article. You can blow it up to a readable size. How long it will be thee, I don't know.

 

What a brilliant and honest account. Don't care what anybody else things, but JJP (and the team!) should be congratulated for being so open. Time for support from all quarters. Lessons have been learnt and they are moving forward!

 

Some other railways have had problems such as landslips that have required major expenditure on top of the normal costs of operation and maintenance, but they have launched appeals and the money has come in. The WSR needs a lot of money just to keep running and to deal with arrears of maintenance. Is raising that money within the WSRA's powers or is this a situation where the current structure will be an obstacle?

 

Purists dont like it but from the priced quote having welded flat bottom outside of station areas makes absolute sense. It will in future be necessary to buy new PW rather than relying on second hand as has hapened in the past.

As for safety even NR contractors get it wrong. Arunaway at Braadford was caused because the operator was not following his written instructions. What was highlighted whilst corect practice was in the rules no attempt had been made to check the operator was following the rules, which of course he wasn't

 

This was one of the questions asked at the meeting about only having BH rails in the stations and, welded FB on the rest of the line and it wasn't turned down.

 

It depends what you define as "station areas". I noticed that at Broadway the modern FB rail starts exactly in line with the bottom of the platform ramps, which makes it a bit of a pointless exercise if you want to look or take photos off the platform end!

 

Just get an angle grinder and put some nicks in the top of the FB rail - gives everybody that heritage sound!

 

They, MRLG must have their heads buried in the sand on Minehead beach & whistling out of their backsides !

 

I don't reckon the MRLG live in or near Minehead ??

 

Myth 3
The line will need lots of money spending on it.

Fact 3
The line is maintained to the very highest standards and has a safety record that it is justly proud of. Hundreds of heavy freight trains have passed over the line bringing in material for sea defence work as well as large numbers of high-capacity InterCity excursions from all over the country. The line is as safe and as well-maintained as any in the land.

They do seem to be living in cloud cuckoo land. The above paragraphs copied from their website.

 

It doesn't sit especially well with the recent heritage railway article!

 

I keep suggesting it to our P'way team, but they never seem too keen...

 

There is a separate thread on this topic with over 50 pages of posts. It would be best to post there.

 

Plus, NR often bring over 1000 ton HOBC trains to unload & other million pound consists to turn on the full length of the triangle & do testing of their new upgraded machines, so our trackwork cant be to bad at all ......

 

Steampunk coming to Minehead:

https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/17497947.steampunk-festival-coming-to-minehead/?ref=mr&lp=8