West Somerset Railway General Discussion

WSRA Initiative bears first fruit

https://www.wsra.org.uk/2020/03/02/wsra-initiative-bears-fruit/

 

Well done on that initiative with Network Rail.

Ed

 

Thanks for your comment. I must admit I forgot to fill that box in. I’m a qualified Fireman, PTS Holder (WSR ID Card withdrawn), A Qualified Mechanical Engineer, Business Consultant with expertise in recovering failing businesses, Recruitment Business Owner, Process/Governance expert, a Qualified Business Trainer and Trainer of Trainers and now thanks to the WSRA asking me to fund raise an experienced Grant Funder having raised £185k in my first year. I also hold the following professional qualifications: MREC (MIRP), MIM, CAE, FIMI.

Oh and I appear to have some spare volunteering time on my hands seeing that the PLC/WSRA suddenly decided when the new management took over that none of this was of use to them.

Sorry to boast I don’t mean to as I’m really just another keen volunteer, but you’ll get the point.

 

Are we relaying new (old) metal sleepers? I know this stretch had them, but I thought our aim was to remove them. Are these the old metal sleepers that have been refurbished.

 

New Steel (Fast Clip)

 

But that's misrepresenting Big Al's argument.

First, it's not the fact that Julian made a mistake, but the nature of that mistake. Someone who can imagine a conspiracy within the corporate headquarters of Nat Pres is certainly able to do the same with other organisations.

Second, Al didn't say it proves Julian wrong, merely that it 'supports the possibility' of another error. He's right, it does.

 

These are new steel sleepers (bought by the WSRA with Rail Renewal donations!), insulated to allow track circuiting, unlike the old GWR non- insulated steel sleepers removed some time ago (and a few retained in sidings at Minehead).

However, they are the sleepers of choice for this location for the same reason the GWR trialled the old ones - the marshy ground conditions.

Robin

 

Auto Coach 169 is part of 5542 Ltd.
The heritage carriages is part of the WSSRT.
KE1 is now part of the Hoskins Group, using Minehead as a restoration location.
West Somerset Restorations has been transferred from the WSRA to the WSR plc.
The Andrew Barclay is privately owned by Ryan Pope.

And then there are the:
DPG
Taunton MR Club
813 Fund (wagons)
4160 Ltd (when the WSRA regain its shares)

Robin

 

If you are going to accuse me of misrepresenting an argument, then it would nice not to have Julian's original post not be misrepresented or indeed my post. Julian said 'appears to be under some pressure' which is not the same as a conspiracy. Secondly, I didn't say that 'it proves Julian wrong' those are your words. You can be wrong about something and still be right about other things, to claim as Al did that Julian's impression of the moderating of this thread means his other views in this thread are wrong, is and remains a bizarre argument and response, especially ,in contrast with the more measured and coherent response from Sidmouth further down explaining the dynamics of moderating a thread like this.

So for the record, I don't think the PLC or anyone is pressuring anyone to delete posts, but I do think that just because someone thinks there might be pressure being applied, it does not invalidate their other views. The two are not mutually inclusive. And vice versa, just because someone does not believe that pressure is being applied does not make their views about anything else more likely to be right.

 

Also add

7 Station Groups
DEPG
RAMS (who do a lot of woodwork restoration for all stations, etc.)
HPC Community Engagement Project

 

RAMS is part of the WSR plc Infrastructure Department.

To any extent that the Comminity Engagement Project has an ‘existence’ it’s part of the WSRA.

 

Good training practice for NR staff repairing all those line collapses in the South East !

 

Is there an advantage to steel over concrete in that situation?

FWIW, on the Bluebell we have had issues with wet ground in places; the solution now adopted in such cases is to dig out all the contaminated ballast (ie clogged with clay), then lay a waterproof membrane, then new ballast, sleepers and rail on top. See reports here, particularly the report for 10 January 2020.

Tom

 

Likewise on the GWSR, I think it's called "Terram"?

 

Steels do have a reputation for improving the track quality if used to replace old Timber or Concrete sleepered track.
This is probably down to the actual increase in ballast depth even if the rail level remains the same.
The increase coming from the ballast held in the trough of the sleeper.
Best results are if the track is laid with 28 - 30 sleepers per 60ft and finished off as CWR.

However if on marshy ground then drainage must also be part of the plan which includes the use of materials like Terram.
Attention to detail with formation preparation also plays a part with adequate crossfall of the formation to throw the water off to the cess drainage system.