Whistling Ghost 25/05/13

Just to clarify, although it is a very busy day on the WSR, I reckon there is indeed an available path in both directions departing Bishops Lydeard at around 13:15 returning from Minehead at roughly 16:50. Because of the NR times at Taunton, the return is very tight and will probably have to run more or less non-stop to Bishops Lydeard followed by a quick engine change. This might be helped by an adjustment to the times of the last WSR down service. On the other hand 5043 should certainly have no difficulty in completing the Taunton-Bristol leg in well under the 68mins allowed in this schedule !

David

 

The outward isn't too tricky with the standard timetable although there would be a wait at Crowcombe to cross with the 12.30 from Minehead at 13.35 after which it would run in the free path to arrive Minehead at around 1440. I can't see a possible good return path without a re-timing of the 16.10 ex BL definitely. Say running 20 minutes earlier throughout. Then the charter could depart Minehead at 16.45, cross with it at Blue Anchor at around 16.55/17.00 and then have 40/45 minutes to run non-stop to BL for the loco change and then off to Norton Fitzwarren. But then of course re-timing the 16.10 affects all the scheduled Up trains out of Minehead in the afternoon so that won't work. Ah well I can't devote any more time to this but it does seem to be a bit of a muddle to fit it in so I think the timetable will need to be altered quite substantially unless Blue Anchor to Bishops Lydeard can be done non-stop in 30 minutes? Good fun this......

NOTE: THIS IS ALL A BIT OF FUN SPECULATION. I AM NOT SAT HERE TELLING THE WSR OR VT HOW TO RUN THIS TRAIN!!!!! IS THAT ALLOWED?????

RIGHT HAS EVERYONE FINALLY GOT THAT NOW?

 

Good "brain exercise" this!

However. The WSR have a plan. Not quite firmed up. Can't go into detail. It will probably involve re-timing just one service train. Find out soon. No worries. All is well.

Steve

 

Of course it is Steve I was just having a go at it myself. Good fun!

 

"The charter doesn't seem to fit in well" - I take that statement as questioning if the charter will be able to run on the WSR on the day...implying that we haven't already checked!

 

The charter is most welcome in West Somerset. Looking forward to the visit. The WSR have just issued the following:
Please note that due to a Charter Train, the timetable for Saturday 25th May is amended. The 16.05 from Minehead/all stations to Bishops Lydeard will now depart Minehead at 16.55 (instead of 16.05) arriving at Bishops Lydeard at 18.14 (instead of 17.22). Click on the link for amended timetable: http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/shopimages/articles/WTT13 - C Saturday 25 May Version 2.pdf

Steve

 

Well I'm sorry Ben but that simply was not the intention of what I said and you took it wrong. I said the charter does not fit in well with yellow timetable as published in the brochure that was probably sent to print in Autumn last year. I did not suggest that there was no organisation between the WSR and VT - of course that must be the case. The other reasoning behind it was also that there can't be much time for the punters in Minehead and this turns out to be the case: arr 14.46 dep 16.05 . I guess this is one of the reasons why Minehead is not such a well served destination by VT as although it seems to be an obvious choice the journey times and capacity on the WSR reduce the time in Minehead.
As I said earlier an alternative timetable must need to be prepared and now I can see this is indeed the case. Apologies for any misunderstanding but please don't accuse people so combatively before they have a chance to explain themselves. Thank you.

 

It does seem rather a short time for passengers to stretch their legs in Minehead but I suggest this is not untypical for destinations at the end of heritage lines. And it is not just the WSR's capacity that squeezes the available time. The delivery times also have a significant effect. For example for this excursion, the outward trip is delivered onto the WSR at 1224 and the return trip requires a delivery onto Network Rail at 18.05. The only way to improve things is to re-instate the loops at Leigh and Kentsford but that's a long way off as it is a low priority for the WSR as things stand.

Steve

 

I've just been sent a text, is it true 1445 - 1605 is all we have in Minehead ?, that's barely enough to have something to properly eat and drink if it's busy at that time.

 

Unfortunately, that is true. The normal Minehead departure time for tours is around 16:55 arriving at Norton Fitzwarren at about 18:30, but the return time of 18:05 at Norton Fitzwarren set by Network Rail on this occasion is just a little too early to allow this path to be used.

David

 

We have just released 4 x 1st Class compartments in the BFK if anyone is still looking for tickets for this one.

A full compartment for 6 is 550 pounds.
Individual seats in the compartments are 95 pounds per.

It is a quick turn-around in Minehead, but we do have to fit into both the public and a private railway! And this is with only 1 water-stop in each direction. If we weren't taking the GUV, it would be an additional 45minutes in each direction!

 

Bit of an update for those lucky 8 passengers in Enthusiast Class this Saturday.

On the return leg on WSR you will be directly behind the Hall, then you will be behind the GUV and support for the mainline with 5043....UP Old Hill with 11 on the back. Should make for some good sound recording opportunities.....

 

As said by one J Clarkson - Power!.

 

Amended WTT:
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/shopimages/articles/WTT13 - C Saturday 25 May Version 2.pdf
(also shows times of charter train on WSR)

WSR advising visitors of re-timed service train:
http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/

Steve

 

Does anyone know what the gradient is on Wickwar ?.

 

Wickwar is 1 in 181

 

Thanks David, puzzles me why I've seen it referred to as a gradient in that case.

 

It's the steepest bit between Worcester and the link from the MR up the GW nr Westerleigh. The rest is very gently downhill, IIRC.

 

Tickets still available i have just booked one in standard

 

hoping to see her at Standish Junction, plenty of whistles would be appreciated to match the tour's namesake, as long as she doesn't disappear halfway along the track then I wont shout g-g-g-g-ghost