West Somerset Railway General Discussion

It was stated further up on this thread by someone in the know at the MHR, that an operational need had already been identified for a hire loco for a period of up to two years. This was a a result of 92212 being withdrawn for overhaul.

I doubt any railway would hire in a loco just for the sake of it in normal circumstances, and certainly not in the current climate.

 

... But will it be an operating 'pure GWR branch line'? How many owners of pure GWR locos will want to hire them out to an outfit that just uses them, and then pleads poverty about overhauling them in accordance with the hire agreement?

 

Norton Fitzwarren to Bishops Lydeard used to be double track until BR rationalisation.

 

Again, The railway, through the PLC have made a rod for it's own back, the problem with gentlemen's agreements is you assume the person you are agreeing hire terms with, is a gentleman, who will stand by their agreement

 

Which deal has been paused: the contract for the PLC to overhaul the loco or the deal to move it to the MHR? If the latter, what on earth is the sense of agreeing a deal, announcing it to the world, and immediately pausing it?

 

I took it to mean that the deal between the SDRT and the WSR regarding 53808's overhaul is the one that has been paused.

 

I'm not sure hole is the right word, 506 took the roles that 92212 used to perform.
Though, 499, 35005 and 34105 would ideally have been ready or thereabouts by now, but are taking a little longer than initially thought.
53808 does indeed bolster the stable at the MHR.

Surely with the plan to run something in December and re-open in 2021, the WSR need to keep their locos available for that Martin. Thus the term available for hire would be what, 5 months? I don't see that many takers for a hire that short during the covid pandemic (of course circumstances will probably prove me wrong!)

 

If operating a pure GWR branch then surely all the MK1s need to go? All the diesels, and 9351 too - that’s hardly pure GWR.

But never mind GWR, operating any sort of railway would be a start at the moment.

 

For some reason the Churnet Valley, an ex-NSR/LMS line, popped into my head as an example of prioritising having trains to run over being pretentious about where their stock's come from. Their operational fleet (ignoring diesel shunters) currently consists of steam engines from Poland and the USA, and a pair of ex-Southern Region Class 33s. In previous years they hosted the ex-GER N7 and a GWR prairie on lengthy hire periods too. That being said, their diesel shunters come from closer to home and they have two ex-LMS engines that they hope to bring back into service.

 

But having any locomotive power to run , Would be better then nothing regardless of what region its from.

 

First off: As with others I am sad that 53808 is leaving the WSR.

Now some of the angst has hopefully dissipated from this forum perhaps a few pragmatic
thoughts may be permitted,

Irrespective of the WSR Plc / S&D Trust issue, with no trains anticipated to run on the
WSR before December earliest, and probably not until March 2021 any revenue that
53808 can generate ahead of the 2022 end of current 10 year stint must be welcome.

As noted already the withdrawal of hired in 92212 ( destined for storage at Margate
along side other members of the 'Hoskins' fleet) creates a Mid Hants need ( not
a case AFAIK of number of locos in the fleet but rather a case of suitability )

Number 53808 was originally designed ( or rather the Class were) to work freight
twixt Bath and Shepton Mallet. The Mid Hants with 1/60 gradients either side
of Medstead is as close as the 1/50 gradients either side of Masbury as one can
find in Southern England, ( albeit 53808 will only work 6 coach trains on the Mid Hants
I assume ? )

Let us hope sufficient funds can be raised , whether by running fees on the Mid Hants
or from supporters such that she can be overhauled post 2022 and return ( complete
with GWR regulator) to WSR operation.

There have been various posts questioning the suitability of the WSR for visiting locos.
I would suggest that under CME Andrew Forster the WSR gained a deserved reputation
for a high level of maintenance and engineering skills ( e.g.conversion of 5193 to 9351
and then she ran 96000 miles before 10 year overhaul and is now back in service again.
High mileages have been recorded by other locos and perhaps even more important a
steam fleet availability second to none across the Heritage Railway sector. Not
least of Mr Forsters achievements are the rise of a new generation of skilled
personnel within Minehead Loco. The tradition lives on.

As a final note, which may irritate some, many locos visiting the WSR, whether for
Galas or short or long term hire have departed the WSR in an improved state.
Let's be fair chaps and chappeses.

Michael Rowe

 

Thats all in the past, we are looking to the future,

Least 7828 & 9351 will be reliable won't run up too much mileage shuttling round Minehead station limits.

 

Now hiring out one of the steamable two would at least generate some income but somebody would have to organise it!!

 

I thought that 92212 was going to Llangollen to be overhauled?

 

Although IMHO it is not spelt out precisely in the 'Joint Press Release', as I read it ".....The PLC recognises the need for the Trust to generate income from using the locomotive...." the hire fees will be paid by the MHR to the S&DRT. So, welcome news for indeed for the latter. However, unless the Trust do return the loco to MD in two year time and pay the monies over to the Plc towards the repair costs, any benefit to the WSR remains in doubt.

 

Llangollen are withdrawing from contract work.

 

It did go to Llangollen but has since left due to the Llangollen closing its engineering business. All locos undergoing work or due to undergo work will be leaving the works.

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

 

No WSR rationalisation - both ends were double track when the West Somerset County Council bought the line in 1974 for an incredible £245,000 - What a bargain!!