West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala 2013

Excellent line-up. I presume the steam rail motor will be turned or will it have a driving trailer?

Regards

 

The steam rail motor has a driving compartment at both ends so there is no need to turn it. There is also a driving trailer coach but this is still under restoration at LLangollen. It should be in service later in 2013.

David

 

Thanks for that

Regards

 

A very polite way of putting it! I must admit, it certainly surprised me that the WSR would want to go to the bother of bringing down an engine like this. Still, if (like me and possibly Mr. Bifur?) they're not your cup of tea, that's no deterrent. In my experience, when you visit a gala held on a long line like the WSR, you're spoilt for choice whether travelling photographing or both. There's too much happening to cover everything, so if there are plenty of other guest engines and home fleet engines which appeal, it will still make for a good day/weekend, even if one particular loco may hold little appeal. I'm certaily attracted by 5542+auto trailer and the railmotor, while the return of Braunton will be most welcome too. I also haven't rubbed shoulders with 3850 since Barry days, and as far 7828, you can't beat a Manor when it comes to the WSR, so I'm very much hoping I can make a long overdue visit to the WSR next March.

 

Speak for yourselves, personally it's the highlight of the lineup by far!

 

Certainly one of the highlights. The last time an S160 visited it rained all weekend so I'm hoping for better weather, and the sound of that chime whistle echoing around the Quantocks was something to behold!

Regards

 

Yes, the S160 is definitely the highlight for me too! Can we have it on a nice heavy train please?

 

It's fair to say the S160's appeal is more that of volume than asthetics, may be an ugly brute, but can bark as good as Swindons finest.

 

Impossible!

 

If it's driven anything like 5197 was you'll be pleasantly surprised...... if you close your eyes

 

While it's true that American engines aren't as pretty as the British, form follows function and I like the S160s and other Yankee locos. Apart from the shunting tanks, the S160s have the virtue of being the only US standard gauge engines made to the British loading gauge (is this true? comments please) and it's very good to see them, always.

Regards

 

I seem to recall reading the Midland ordered/ended up with a limited number of American Loco's, obviously they didn't last long once they could be dispensed with.

 

Midland Railway 2501 and 2511 Class locomotives - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Surprised there isn't a new-build group for one of these (yet!).

 

Yes forgotten about those. The GC and GN had some too IIRC. The MR also had some Norris engines for the Lickey. I'm pretty sure there aren't any more.

Regards

 

There have been some interesting updates about the Gala. See Latest News on WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures and News

Steve

 

Looking at the timetable for Mon 18th & Tues 19th it is really poor for those on the usual rover ticket. £24 instead of the usual £17 for less than you get on a usual running day if your joining at Minehead. Also looking at the connections between the Auto & Railmotor and usual service the only decent connection is at Lydeard for the 14.15 back out. When it was first mentioned the gala would be extended to cover both Monday and Tuesday I automatically booked a B&B in Minehead for both nights, wish I didn't bother now.

 

I'm a bit confused by the midweek stuff. £15 for a single, pre-booked journey on either the railmotor or the auto.

Does that mean if you have bought a ticket for one of the railmotor or auto trips, it's valid on the 2 round trips 4160 works, or do you have to fork out another £24 for a ticket? Like 45305 mentions above, £24 is £7 more than the usual fare, and for a maximum of 2 round trips with one, home based loco. I don't want to pay £15 to travel on the railmotor or auto, then find out I have to pay another £24 to get back to the other end of the line!

 

From this Somerset Branch Lines Down the Ages « West Somerset Railway I would say that the 2 return trips behind 4160 are included in valid day rovers for the day.
Any trip with the Railmotor or Auto train are £15 single with rovers not valid. If you had a valid rover you could do a trip with the Auto or Motor for £15 pre booked and return with 4160 for £0.

 

This to me says that tickets bought on the day are valid so a Single BL-MH or MH-BL sould be available for the 4160 trains.
Spring Steam Gala « West Somerset Railway