WSR Winter Steam Festival 29-30 December 2009

More at:
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/Winter_steam.html
and
http://www.wsr.org.uk/wsf2009.htm

 

"Plus One Visting GWR locomotive!" Would that be 6024, perhaps?

 

No surprise then! No 6024 confirmed. See loco roster inc turning and facing information at:

www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
or
www.wsr.org.uk

Steve
(WSW)

 

Good photo that of Mervin, our Volunteer Loco Insp. He's a Southern man!

 

Mr FC and I attended the first day of the Winter Festival today. The weather was absolutely atrocious but we manged to get some footage and photographs. The trains seemed to be well filled in the main, but I think everyone was content to stay on board and not get off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqJt7RaBPNQ

Pics up on my site at fireboxchaser.co.uk

Happy New Year to all and plenty of steaming in 2010!

FC

 

And a few of yours now on www.wsr.org.uk - Thanks FC!

BTW a live departures system is being tested at the WSF - see the Winter Steam Festival page on www.wsr.org.uk for links to the webpages and keep an eye on how services are running during the WSF. More of this later.

Steve
(WSW)

 

I had an enjoyable day on the WSR today. Hardly suitable weather for lnesiding as there were lazy clouds all day.... Steam heat stock was an ample compensation.

Thanks to everyone who organised the event and particularly the volunteers at Stogumber - the coffee was most welcome. I must call in one day in good weather. It's an idylic spot and will be even better when the new shelter and cattle dock have been built. The highlight of the day for me was travelling on the 1600 Minehead hauled by 9351 working very hard uphill to Crowcombe.

Just one minor gripe, can the starting point for the courtesy coaches from Taunton be more clearly advertised please? The WSR coach followed the service bus from Taunton at about 1020 - empty as far as I could see. Also the coach didn't cary any indication of who it was working for - even an A4 size WSR badge in the windscreen would help.

Cheers, Neil

 

Thanks for the comments, Neil. Glad you enjoyed most of the event. I'm sorry to say the free bus service continues to be a bit of a shambles, judging by several comments I have received. The WSR Plc pay well for these buses/coaches but someone does not seem to be providing sufficient information or ensuring the buses are "badged" properly, let alone checking if they are running as promised. Your comments will be passed on and I hope that's OK.

Steve
(WSW)

 

The gala may be over but King Edward 1 looked and sounded superb at the WSR today hauling two 'driver experience' specials.
Wall to wall sunshine. What a start to the new year!

A Happy New Year to all. <BJ>

 

The promise of what is to come this year for the GW175!

FC

 

Steve,

Thanks for following up the difficulties with the bus services. I do comprehend your difficulties. Many years ago I did rail replacement bus tendering for one of the more pro-active TOC's. Often, the only way to check it was working OK was to travel to the area involved and watch the workings....

Thanks again, Neil