2019 'West Somerset Steam Express'

That evidence would be based on times: times of the train passing, time of discovery and time the incident reported to the fire service. The assessment about the cause believed by the fire service might be a factor. The other factors could be what else what taking in place in the location of the fire and who was there and was there another steam hauled locomotive in the locality at a similar time period.

 

Timings are now available for the WSSE on 17th August:

1Z29 outward: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55343/2019/08/17/advanced

1Z30 return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55344/2019/08/17/advanced

PRCLT's Workshop shared a post on 11th August at 12:44.

''The Duchess may not been working this weekend, but that doesn't mean the work stops. A small gap between tours means we were able to give 6233 a washout yesterday with a steam test planned Tuesday/Wednesday, before her next booked trip: The West Somerset Steam Express''.

<BJ>​

 

I doubt rain will stop play on this occasion.

 

Is this not the LE movement back to Southall?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55341/2019/08/17/advanced

 

Well spotted. As soon as I saw that a service train arrives at the platform just after the charter departs I thought that the diesel would be tagging along for the ride.

Phew. Worry over. <BJ>

 

20 minutes at Bishops Lydeard on the way out, then 90 minutes to Minehead, all of which seems reasonable; but supposedly 57 minutes to Bishops Lydeard on the way back and straight through non-stop, which would seem reasonable only to the Minehead Rail Link Group.

 

Are there changes to the WSR timetable on Saturday to accommodate the WSSE? Thanks.

 

It's a very busy day tomorrow with the gold timetable running plus the GWR Taunton shuttles. I think the last WSSE ran in the 1320 path from BL which would mean altering/cancelling the 1320 DMU service. It will be interesting to see what happens.

 

The 13:20 dmu service from Bishops Lydeard has been cancelled and the last service train of the day from Minehead, the 17:25 multiple-unit, has been retimed to depart at 17:50.

Note that the multiple-unit replaces the normal Saturday diesel hauled service. <BJ>

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/timetables/view/121

 

Many thanks.

 

So the diesel sits at the stops for 20 minutes after the steam departs.

 

One of the objections by some SR folk to the Minehead rail group was the low line speed. But once the line is red rated , assuming it happens, then line speeds should increase. That is what they probably hope for anyway.

 

It will not go above 25mph though will it.

 

You never know. With all this talk of a new government, nationalisation might be an answer. It would get the WSR out of a hole and presumably please the MRG.

 

The ECS and Duchess have been turned at Greenford and is now being hauled into Paddington by the diesel.

The light engine movement was activated soon after midnight and so all is running to plan .....so far.

Update: Duchess of Sutherland departed from Paddington on time. The diesel is still on the blocks. <BJ>

 

Of course like most visists to Heritage Railways the timings on RTT do not reflect what is published by the Heritage line concerned,

 

The Duchess with this evenings return working. https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/48560624817/in/dateposted-public/

 

Outbound at West Woodlands (Frome).



​

 

So what were the actual times on the return? Did the Duchess take over from a WSR loco at BL?

 

I saw the train at Brewham on the return. I could have sworn there used to be an incline there !!

A superb machine. Well done to the crews and support team. <BJ>