West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Yes please!

 

Coming soon to a Stogumber near you...

(But I need to pass my driver’s rules first, and there is a ‘Fitness to Run’ exam to pass...)

Robin

 

where does the boiler go and is it coal fired or oil fired its plainly not internal combustion

 

You should see the Ducati version!

 

Still to be found running on the Northern and Trans Pennine services I'll have you know........
Overcrowding is difficult to fix sometimes.

 

Very neat, Robin.
What's it's provenance?
(They don't like to go backwards, by the way - something to do with the triangulation geometry, I believe).

 

Fitness to run for you or the Machine Robin?

I'll get my coat..

 

But what livery should it be??

 

A Velocipede. Great fun to ride but they don't half hurt you when they derail at speed. Speaking from experience.

 

Well, they say bright people learn by other's mistakes. What did you do that I shouldn't?

She who pays the piper...

Thanks. Ex-Rowden Mill. So I understand.

Robin

 

For a start put a cushion on that seat.

 

Actually use it.

Ours didn't like curves where the outrigger was on the outside rail but I'm talking real curves, not slight deviations from a straight line.

 

News from the GCR today:

''GWR 4073 Class number 7027 “Thornbury Castle” has been sold to a private buyer, the present owners JJP Holdings have announced today. Under the sale and purchase agreement, the Great Western locomotive is to be restored at the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire and will run there for the duration of its next 10-year ticket.

The new owner, who is a significant supporter of the GCR, has confirmed that it will not be made available for any mainline operation. It requires significant restoration which will be carried out at the Great Central’s locomotive works in Loughborough under the watchful eye of their Chief Engineer, Craig Stinchcombe''.

The loco, currently housed at the West Somerset Railway’s Williton depot, will be transported by road to Loughborough during week commencing 27th January.

Built in 1949 by British Railways at the Swindon works, N0. 7027 was initially allocated to Plymouth Laira before moving to Old Oak Common some 10 years later, with its last shed allocation being Reading before being withdrawn from service in 1963 and being transported to Woodham Brothers Scrapyard at Barry. It was purchased by the Birmingham Railway Museum and left Barry in 1972. Subsequent to this it was purchased by the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust and remained in scrapyard condition for stays at Crewe Heritage Centre and Peak Rail until being purchased by the current owners in July 2016

Jonathan Jones-Pratt (JJP) said, “We are obviously sad in many ways to lose this iconic engine from the Group but, at the same time, very pleased as I always wish to see the right decision being made for these wonderful engines. For me, this is a good move for Thornbury and we have been pleased to play a key part in ensuring the engine is restored as a Castle and we are satisfied that there is the right commitment to rebuild the engine to the right standard. We wish the Great Central team well with the project and, personally, I welcome the chance to help them along the journey. The engine will now leave the WSR over the coming weeks for her new home where I am sure the team will be waiting to get started!”

GCR’s Managing Director, Michael Gough commented “We are very excited that this iconic locomotive is coming to the GCR and very proud that the new owner has chosen to have it restored in our works and for it to run here at the Great Central once completed. This is a major project and will involve significant hours and expense but we are ready for the challenge and looking forward to its arrival next week.” <BJ>

 

Will the desire for "red route" status drop down the priority list, I wonder

 

Why would it?

 

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.

 

Brilliant news

 

Good to see the QB going back into maroon, and this time fully turned out BR maroon.

The 'Pullman' livery never suits the normal Mk1 stock in my opinion (excluding the actual BR built Pullmans).

 

Is looks splendid. Cant wait to photo that.

Would the full rake be completed first the steam gala?