West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Heartened to wake up this morning and read Seb’ comments and those that followed. The younger volunteers are far more important than we old stagers because they are the future of the line and the movement generally.

I trust those who might be taken to appear to have treated 53808’s presence On the WSR carelessly have read these comments. Once we have saved the Railway, 53808 is one of the few locomotives that would generate personal practical support from me (as an inveterate traffic / signalling enthusiast) for retention on the line / overhaul.

On her usefulness, viewed from the position of a regular volunteer ‘Responsible Officer’, I don’t think there is a better illustration than 53808’s use as a ‘Thunderbird’ after finishing her booked working on the first day of the Winter Steam Festival at the end of December 2019 to rescue 7828 (failed through coal contaminated with ballast and clay) and her train from Williton. As an operations supervisor for weekend permanent way works on the Southern Region In Kent and Sussex in the 1980’s, I was always ‘comfortable’ if I had a class 33 or two around - capable engines that the crews knew and liked and would do anything asked of them. When I am acting as WSR ‘RO’, 53808 gives me exactly that same feeling of ‘comfort’ in case of need. (And having 6566 and 6575 at Williton is a considerable bonus. Thanks DEPG.)

I should make plain that I comment personally and not in any way as a representative of any WSR body I am part of.

Robin

 

I appreciate the glowing - and accurate - comments about 88. It is no secret how well the loco performs or how much she is valued by those who work her but you are preaching to the choir here. The ones who need to hear this and are those who have purely a present day viewpoint about the loco and its value to the line but seemingly little or no regard for her future.

 

I read today that the L&BR will be reopening on 18th (next Saturday) and aims to run a 7-days a week summer timetable. Yes, obviously a line on different scale from the WSR, but within easy visiting distance for those in West Somerset wanting to actually travel behind steam

 

As Mr Maunsell has yet to respond to the invitations to quote and correct "misinformation", I can again come to his rescue. Was it not the present regime who produced a document that claimed that crews disliked "88" and that she was regularly "thrashed" ? IIRC, it was in the same document which contained the claim that the ORR were concerned over an incident that never existed.

Make of that what you will.

 

The problem is that there are none so deaf as those that don't want to hear. Thanks to those who have posted we now have it confirmed that the locomotive is highly regarded by some who work on the line. It would, in view of these comments, be fair to say that it is the best engine on the line when it comes to dealing with peak season and extra heavy loads and the view is that it is economical to run too. So what is there not to like? There are some on the line who do not like the engine, see only GW engines as being suitable for the line, I have met some. But as to how many there are I don't know, are there enough to be significant and influential? Again I do not know. But the actions taken against the S & D Trust do make me wonder. How many who have not voiced their disapproval at the actions of the PLC in this matter are quietly collaborating and approving? This railway seems to be peculiarly addicted to cutting its nose etc.

 

Presumably the fitting of a GWR type regulator under Mr Forster's aegis has made it a more
' user friendly' loco. I think 53809 was also so equipped when resident at Minehead. ( I
remember seeing the block in the MD shop awaiting machining )

Michael Rowe

 

From many of the recent comments, it does appear that "88" is indeed a very useful locomotive for the WSR.
And there is one advantage for the railway that puts her ahead of any other option. According to the PLC Board, they don't have to pay to use it.

 

Very true..........still working hard here at Black Monkey bridge on clearance works on bridge & banks.....for inspections... [/ATTACH]

 

Not a footpath that I use under normal 'wet' conditions !

 

Good to see that some work is going on.

 

Looking at the photos in the preceding post suggests, possibly, another reason why the line has not opened.

 

Following the conclusion of the 2019 temporary summer hire agreement, the SVR agreed with Locomotive 6960 Ltd for her to stay on until 2021, at which point the boiler certification will have expired. After that it'll be up to her owners, I've seen and heard nothing of their plans.

Patrick

 

Que?

 

Yo soy de Barcelona.

 

No, El Wessexo, claro.

 

Puede ser un poco injusto para aquellos sin conocimientos de idiomas si escribe en código secreto.

Robin

 

está bien google es nuestro amigo

Keith

 

Any chance to an explanation (in English) of @Greenway’s original comment?

Tom

 

¡Verdadero!

 

I note that the chairman of a certain West Country railway has responded to the chairman of another West Country railway on his Facebook post offering some panniers as available for hire because their home railway isn't opening this year....not sure hiring in more locos is the most obvious route forward in current circumstances?