West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I suggested that years ago! And got a similar response at the time!

 

I've never really paid attention, but I imagine there's enough 'clickety-clack' over points & crossings.
I doubt if the 'average' visitor notices CWR.

 

Railways with PA systems already fitted in their coaches could probably rig up a system to broadcast the 'clickety-clack' at a speed-adjusted rate.

 

Sadly on the Eardington Bank CWR, what too often stands out in the absence of 'clickety-clack' is the 'clunk clunk clunk' of wheel flats.

Hopefully not a problem on the WSR though...

 

That could work on heritage lines Mike. Not so on the national system where everyone seems to be 'plugged-in' to something.

 

PS: A related thought, occasioned by reading a story about the Mercedes-Benz F1 team in the run-up to Spa: it's hard to fix a problem one doesn't know one has. So it's important to point them out.

A number of people from the WSR have expressed the thought that they're tired of hearing negative things here about the WSR. I can sympathize with that, but they need to bear the above in mind.

Noel

 

I imagine WSR fans will have spotted that Mr. Portillo is visiting [repeat showing] the WSR at 2030. I wonder if we will recognise any Stogumber residents taking part in the fertility dance.

 

8:30 BBC 2 tonight

 

Excellent to hear - thank you

 

Many thanks to WSR volunteer Steve Sagrott who installed the replacement router at Crowcombe on behalf of Railcam UK.

The broadband connection into Crowcombe Heathfield is very poor and the previous router occasionally locked up requiring a manual reset to restore service.

Time will tell if the new router is more resilient, but so far, so good.

As for the bees - are there any apiarists who fancy a challenge?

 

I was on another heritage railway and the quality of their PA system was not good enough

My grandson plugs in on the national network because he gets fed up with all the announcements and I don't blame him. I often wish I was part of that generation to be able to drown out that interminable drone.

How are you going very the speed of the "clickety-click" in time with the train's speed?

(On another note. We've got a new "smart" TV with a browser and my grandson had great fun yesterday following services on the webcams up and down the line thanks to Steve's website. Today's meal times are being adjusted to coincide with the trains passing at various stations! Apparently lunch is to be at 1.15 and morning coffee a very late at 11.10 so we can all watch it together.)

 

I must admit I really really dislike having PA systems on Heritage railway vehicles. The whole point of travelling on a heritage railway is to be transported to another time, and carriages with PA announcements for me shatter that illusion far faster than whether the track is flat bottomed or bullhead, or the precise format of ticket used. I can’t see the rail and can ignore the ticket once bought, but you can’t get away from an on-carriage PA. Perhaps the next step would be rolling LED displays: “this train is for Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber, Williton ... You are in coach 4 of 7. Some stations have short platforms. Passengers for Donifird Halt should alight from the front three coaches of the train. Remember, if you see something suspicious, please contact British Transport Police. See it. Say it Sorted”. Is that what we want on heritage railways?

Tom

 

I was on the SVR last ASG but one, when it snowed quite heavily. We were in Bewdley station and had been delayed waiting for the incoming train from Bridgnorth. There was a family sat opposite including a young lady of about 15. After a few minutes of waiting she began a complaining that there were no pa announcements, no annunciator panels either on the train or platform and no carriage wifi (though I got a signal from the router in the station building), Her biggest complaint, repeated many times, was that there were no rail replacement buses. It made I laugh, internally, of course.

 

That was March last year! I know because I nearly missed my connection at Kiddy due to frozen points! Not every day though your journey home involves a S&D 7F!

 

Yes, personally I do not like PA systems on heritage railways at all. I'm certainly not suggesting they should be fitted for 'clickety-click' purposes! Just thinking they could be put to use if already present.

 

I was going to say, that was the 2018 SSG. I remember sitting at Arley watching the snow fall on the Saturday and wondering if enough would settle to stop me being able to drive home.

 

I went with my late Father to one of the 41001 running days at the GCR(N) about 3 years ago and the PA was in use in the 125 Groups rake of stock and my Father commented that it was "like being on a real train" - which, considering he was 85 at the time - I thought was quite a compliment!

What you don't want, with a PA fitted train, is the "experience" you get on American preserved lines where it seems quite normal for a "host" or the Conductor to waffle on about all and sundry for the duration of the whole trip. The one performing his spiel on the Boone Valley Scenic in Iowa still grates me to this day!
The commentary can be sufficiently loud to drown out any sounds from the locos as well.............

 

The NYMR's latest appeal is proving very impressive. They really are proactive when it comes to fund raising.
Perhaps the WSR could contact them for advice. What have they to lose? <BJ>
https://www.nymr.co.uk/Appeal/yorkshires-magnificent-journey-appeal

 

Sorry, meant SSG.