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WSR GWR175 Finale - 30 Sept / 1 - 3 October

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by lil Bear, Aug 5, 2010.

    Preparations are just about complete for the Autumn Steam Gala which starts early on Thursday 30 September and ends in the evening of Sunday 3 October. The Special Events Planning Team have managed a nine strong locomotive list with eight from the drawing board of Swindon Works - nos 6024, 5029, 4953, 4566, 5542, 5553, 4160, 9351 - a fitting tribute during the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway. Adding contrast is guest engine LMS 4-6-0 no 44767. Another Derby machine, SDJR 2-8-0 no 88, will be standby loco.

    [​IMG]

    Steve
     
  1. blunder

    blunder New Member

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    88 will be at Washford on the Saturday & Sunday. Possibly doing token exchange demostrations as well as the Peckett shunting the yard.
     
  2. The_Mighty_Kings

    The_Mighty_Kings Member

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    Got my WTT today. Looks interesting.... certainly looks like the organisers have taken on board many of the comments RE use the turn table. One thing that is missing on the WTT this time is the coach sets. From a personal point I'm a little disappointed there's no double headed small tanks but that's just a selfish note from me as its a shot I've still not nailed.

    Will be there for all 4 days, photing for 3 and travelling on 1... still trying to decide which way around - i guess the weather will decide.

    Really hoping for some sun this year!
     
  3. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    Re the turntable ... this is good news, but I'm also hoping for some movement on the wheelchair issue and 'Quantock Belle' too!

    I'll be there Fri afternoon, Sat and Sun, looking forward to it, but the weather forecast isn't too promising, a pretty big low in the Atlantic!

    Regards
     
  4. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    I have not seen the WTT and therefore do not know if there is any mention of the appropriate stock letter. If there is this will help you.
    Set A = 35257, 4987 + 6
    Set B = 9278, 4814 + 4
    Set C = 9227, 4346 + 4
    Set D = 9380 + 4
    Set E = 4996/5008 + brake
    DMU = 3 car unit set.

    Sets A,B and C should be in chocolate and cream. Set D should be the maroons + chocolate and cream. <BJ>
     
  5. 63601

    63601 Member

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    .....
     
  6. The_Mighty_Kings

    The_Mighty_Kings Member

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    Nope sadly no stock letters which was what I was referring to
     
  7. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    Any idea what time the Dunster Shunt positioning Goods trains are? I take it as leaving Minehead between the 1034 arrival and 1100 departure, then returning between the 1534 and 1600. Pitty these haven't been included in the WTT either. Also whats the chances of 9351 running and not being replaced by 5553?
     
  8. Saturday Only
    Outward dep 1042 MD (5553)
    Return dep 1545 DR
    (no Dunster goods on Sun)

    9351 booked for late pm MD dep on Sat and mid morn BL dep on Sun - but we shall see, eh?

    Note No 88 at Washford Yard - could be worth looking in?

    Steve
     
  9. KEYHAMTRAIN

    KEYHAMTRAIN Member

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  10. aldfort

    aldfort Well-Known Member

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    Spent the first three days of this week cleaning and polishing. Now safely at home in the warm and dry. I hope all who attend enjoy themselves.
    From what I gather the turntable will be busier than the WTT suggests but don't quote me on that.
    Now if only this paraffin smell would dissipate!!
     
  11. Double Helix

    Double Helix New Member

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    Hi all,

    I will be going on the saturday with a friend and his son in tow (his first visit to a steam railway), i was wondering if anyone knows what engine will be on the front of each train on the saturday.

    Also praying to the weather gods it will be a rain free day :)

    Many Thanks

    Helix
     
  12. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    Rosters can be found in the Souvenir Programme
     
  13. 6959 Class

    6959 Class New Member

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    Anyone know where 6960 and 7828 will be on display on Saturday and will I be able to get a full shot of them??

    Also what loco(s) are in Minehead workshop ?
     
  14. Premier.Prairie

    Premier.Prairie New Member

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    6960 is at Williton, 7828 at Minehead probably in the shed. Although I have not yet been there, I would expect them to be in places reasonably accessable.

    John
     
  15. 6959 Class

    6959 Class New Member

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    Thanks John. I'll be riding the line so will probably see them all.
    Keith.
     
  16. Western Venturer

    Western Venturer Well-Known Member

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  17. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    A good day on Saturday - everything ran smoothly until 5542 ran into trouble on the 1600 MD-BL. Arrived a few mins late at Crowcombe struggling very badly up the gradient and appearing to have steam leaking from the right hand cylinder. That was as far as it got - after a few minutes it was announced that it couldn't proceed due to very low water. After about 30 minutes 5029 arrived from BL to rescue 5542 and train which finally arrived about 50 late. Hope 5542 is OK - incidentally some were remarking that an extra coach had been added to the set making it 7 in all and that was one too many for a small prairie. Not sure about that though as I have seen 5553 handling 7 on the West Somerset and I seem to remember them handling 7 on the PDSR which also has some meaty gradients.
     
  18. DH34105

    DH34105 Member

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    Rode the trains on Thursday and Friday and despite the weather on Friday (downpours at times!!) had a super couple of days. The new hourly timetable worked well and trains were well on time on both days. The light early on saturday morning around Crowcombe was wonderful and I wished i had taken the camera with me when I took the dogs for their early walk - sadly the light did not last for long! but was glorious while it lasted DH
     
  19. Orion

    Orion Well-Known Member

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    Got back from the gala last night and it was a most enjoyable event. The changes to the use of the turntable improved the gala compared with previous events, particularly last spring's. The weather on Friday and Sunday morning was poor but wet weather affecting the WSRs galas can really be taken as a given; it is clear from ten years experience of WSR steam galas that the equinoctal periods in the Bristol Channel area are very prone to wet and windy weather - perhaps a change in dates would help.

    As it was so wet and windy on Friday I took a ride by train to Bishops Lydeard and found that the train was almost empty. Also it became clear that the timetable is a very leisurely affair giving train crews and station staff every incentive to be very relaxed about operating the railway. Gee was I bored! From the lineside it was clear that ridership was up on Saturday, but down again Sunday.

    Notwithstanding the quibbles it was a good event and a big 'thank you' to the organisers for putting it on and for listening to the complaints after the Spring Gala concerning the use of the turntable. My film will be up on YouTube tomorrow after the raw footage has been edited.

    Regards
     

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