WSR 2020 Spring Steam Gala - Thurs-Sun 23-26 April 2020

Hire agreements usually relate to a steaming fee per day - not the number of trips

 

The main thing I would like to see both as a passenger and a photographer is for the WSR linesides to be flailed as they used to be just before the
Spring gala.

 

Support Crew hours need considering, which can impact upon number of trips possible (speaking from experience)

 

I agree but unfortunately if the current WSR management are unsuccessful in sorting out the finances of the railway, flailing the lineside will be the least of our problems. <BJ>

 

I think the main priority during the 'closed season' will be rail replacement and the latest photos on wsr.org.uk shows the work has already started.

 

The Quantock Belle dining train is advertised as operating on Sunday 26th April. A four course roast lunch is available, departing from and returning to Bishops Lydeard. Advance booking is essential and now available via the official WSR website.

 

30925 'Cheltenham' would be a good one.

 

More freights, Not just first thing in the morning.

 

On that point: the WSR operates I believe with an hourly service frequency in each direction at galas, essentially limited by the longest section length.

If you stick a goods train in one of the paths in the middle of the day, that creates a two hour “hole” between passenger trains in one direction at the peak period - not good I’d suggest for paying passengers, nor for the degree of crowding it might cause on trains before and after.

Tom

 

Could freights run over part of the line, in between hourly passenger trains. Such as Bishops Lydeard to Crowcombe or Minehead to Dunster/Blue Anchor. I believe in the past that passenger trains have sometimes run in these slots. There is, of course, the matter of cost of running demo freights and whether it’s financially worthwhile.

 

It will cost money but such spectacles draw the masses. Cut out such things such as freight movements and visiting engines and you're left with a standard operating day. <BJ>

 

As a photographer I like having goods trains in the programme, but on the other hand the "hole" they create in the passenger timetable can cause problems.
Over the last few years I've noticed that some railways get round this problem by having a goods train shuttling around within station limits between the timetabled passenger services, I think this often works well as it gives some interest during the "dead" time between trains, but it does mean that there has to be a siding where the goods train can wait while the timetabled trains pass.

 

As was very clearly illustrated at this years 1940’s weekend, when the (so called) military train ran.

 

BR STANDARD 4 2-6-0 76084 ADDED TO SPRING GALA LINEUP

The Gala Planning Team are very pleased to be able to announce that we have agreed terms, subject to contract, for BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 No. 76084 to visit our big Spring Steam Gala in April. Our thanks go out to its owning group and the North Norfolk Railway where it is usually based.
No. 76084 is a first time visitor to the WSR, and indeed an unusual one anywhere away from its Norfolk home. Joining 9F No. 92134, already announced, and our home fleet, this impressive machine will look and sound great climbing the WSR's gradients. The locos visit will only be a short one, so if you want to see it on the WSR you need to attend our spring gala.

We are still working on further locos to join the line up and will reveal what these are once everything is agreed.

 

Fairly 'standard' stuff then , hotel booked, tickets will be booked when available as usual, looking forward to it again!

 

Tickets are available online now.

 

Only Needs a Bulleid and will be a S+D gala

 

What another one??

 

Just noticed the below on the WSR plc webpage for the event -

The “Quantock Belle” dining cars will offer a breakfast service on Thursday 23rd. On Saturday 25th there will be an evening dining train portion of the evening “mega train” due to be headed by 92134 and giving passengers some fine dining while enjoying the countryside views as the light changes on a round trip from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return. There will be a Sunday lunch served on the 13.05 from Bishops Lydeard on the 26th.

Anybody else know much else about what the QB will be offering over the gala?

 

That's confirmation of the plan as I understand it: one return breakfast service on Thursday, nowt Friday and full service pre-booked dining Saturday evening and Sunday lunchtime. Not sure if Thursday will be pre-bookable but would expect walk-ons to be OK for that day.