WSR Autumn Steam Gala - 'A Country Railway' - Thurs-Sun 3-6 October 2019

Bit of an unusual request, but I was planning to go to the WSR on Friday and pick up the roster when I was there. In the event, a family illness meant I had to skip it and have been working all weekend since.

Would anyone mind sharing what the roster was for Friday so I can at least plan what my moves would have been?? I do get a lot of enjoyment from the planning side too, even though normally it's planning for an event I then actually attend...

Thanks in advance to anyone who helps and I hope everyone there today has an excellent time, videos and pics look great so far.

 

Thanks for that, Al.

Hopefully they’ll spend today catching up with their homework and tidying their bedrooms.

 

Sorry you weren’t able to make it to the Gala.

If you’re happy to send me your name and address in a ‘conversation’ I’ll happily photocopy my working timetable when I get home tomorrow and put it in the post.

 

A real pannier fest and most enjoyable. Thanks to everyone making it happen.

Here's my video from the first and third days of the gala.

 

Thanks too all involved for a great gala. May have not had the big guest locos but still enjoyable.

 

I went on Saturday with my two oldest - 17 & 11

Leaving on the 10.05 the two Panniers gave us a lively & noisy run to Watchet. A quick visit to the boat museum at Watchet was followed by getting the Manor & QB set back to BL, & 53808 t0 Williton.

After a visit to the DEPG shed and Auto 169 - very impressive it was back to BL on the local, then Minehead behind a pannier, quick trip to the beach then back on the last train. Despite being smaller than the usual loco's with only 5 coaches on 4612 was in excellent form and was certainly going to get the crew home on time, the climb to Crowcombe in the dark was an experience to be savored. One comment I might make though was that given the state of my hair & face I suggest that the Panniers may well be being worked close to the limit.

My experience of Panniers to date has been limited however the day certainly showed when the 57xx's are capable of, even if use of the hosepipes at the platforms at Minehead and Bishops Lydeyard might suggest that their water capacity may be an issue.

Between Blue Anchor & Blue Anchor we were treated to a good view of the Trinity House Lighthouse Tender Patricia which was at anchor.

Basically an excellent day out, the 'small engine' event made a change from the usual and without doubt the Panniers were most appropriate - now if we could have a 43xx of small prairie as well!!

What is also worth commenting on is that without prompting my 11 year old, who is autistic headed off to the Buffet Car on his own so to all those behind the counter well done for giving him the confidence to do that.

 

wife and i went to the autunn gala on friday , we had a very good day despite the failure of 6412 as bl which delayed things a bit but that is steam engines for you, thanks to all involved.

 

However, 53808 does have a Somerset pedigree.

 

Just a quick post to say thanks to my fellow volunteers for all their hard work, it was a supreme effort. I did three of the four days, it was nice to see some familiar faces re-visiting the WSR and talking to new ones. Most encouraging.

 

I did all four days of the gala and enjoyed every one of them!
Many thanks to all those who worked so hard to put on such a great event.

There did seem to be some issues with the timetable though, it worked well in the mornings but things started to slip in the afternoons with some services being held for a long time at the passing stations and running almost an hour late on one day. But it wasn't really a problem and didn't spoil my enjoyment of the gala.

 

Pre2010 anything under an hour late by the end of the day was considered a success!

 

Is there anything official about the 23-26 April being the SSG?

SVR's is 16-19 April due to the works on Falling Sands viaduct severing the line for the usual March slot.

Must admit I did enjoy the late April gala the WSR held a few years back and surprised they didn't keep it, could this move next year (if accurate) be to do with line works?

 

So Sunday finally brought some great light and we could see the line at its finest. One thing that always strikes me on my visit to the line is how friendly the volunteers are particularly at the stations. The bread and butter pudding cake is legendary at Crowcombe as is the banter, and they do a fine line in teacakes and tea at Blue Anchor, the view from the signalbox is perhaps the best on any preserved line. It alwasy a pleasure spending time on this railway compared to many others.

There were not many people around on the lineside which I was surprised at, perhaps the lack of a big engine was a factor. However for me seeing local trains, a proper Great Western branch feel with engiens that fitted well in their surroundings, especially the Hymek

Here is a further selection of images, I look forward to coming down to the line again soon.


The morning double header by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


Late afternoon shadows by Phoenix Images, on Flickr


The country branch line by Phoenix Images, on Flickr


Foxcote sunset by Phoenix Images, on Flickr


Branch line exchange by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


Manors by the sea by Phoenix Images, on Flickr


53808 at Norvis Bridge by Inspiring Images, on Flickr


D7018 at Bicknoller by Inspiring Images, on Flickr

 

My video and a few photos from a hit and miss day for me at the gala on Saturday.

 

Somewhat late but heres my video of a very wet first day of the gala.. some on board shots and some off stations.. Sorry about the wheel flats on the sound when i was filming the Hymek and Manor..
As ever thank you to everybody involved with the Gala, really enjoyable day despite the weather!!

 

Excellent video. Thanks for posting.