West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala, 27-30 March 2014

The WSR Spring Steam Gala next March 27-30 will have a Southern theme based on the Withered Arm (west of Exeter).

So what engines would you like to see in action at the event ?

David

 

OOOH! That's one date to go in the diary!
34046, 30120, 30053, 34070 and 31806, please.

 

...and at least one rake of Southern Region green coaches for them to pull...

 

Hi,
I think the line up should be 31806,35006,34053,1638 And 34046 or 925.

Many Thanks,.
YRM.,

 

One assumes that 31806 and 925 will be high on the guest list.

 

34046 will be there no doubt.

 

925 would be an "interesting" choice for an event themed on the withered arm!

Tom

 

They never appeared down there? My knowledge of Southern Railway/Region locomotive allocations is practically non-existent.

 

It's going to look odd with the chocolate and cream stock admittedly, but I'll be fascinated to hear and enjoy some southern locos on the banks, and photo-wise I'm as intrigued by novelty as nostalgia anyway. Rarely miss a WSR steam gala as the four-day format gives plenty of flexibility and it's only an hour away, so it's going in my diary.

 

West of Exeter was subject to very tight weight restrictions, which was part of the design rationale for the Bulleid light pacifics. A Schools, with a 22ton axle load, was way past the limit. Merchant Navies were also banned, even in original form, and the rebuilt light pacifics were also too heavy and banned until about 1960, when a few made it to Plymouth - but not on the other parts of the system. It was those restrictions that helped explain why the Drummond 4-4-0s had such long lives west of Exeter.

Tom

 

Ah right - thanks for the explanation.

 

Most authentic choices would be (as well as a Light Pacific or two) 30120 and 31806 (a purist would want 31874 but I don't think she's available), one or two Beattie well tanks, 30053, an Ivatt Mickey Mouse tank and one or two standard 2-6-4Ts. To be really authentic, talk nicely to British American Railway Services and borrow the Dartmoor Railway between Crediton /Yeoford (Network Rail approval) and Okehampton /Meldon. Don't ask who's going to pay!

John

 

I remember from 1964 travelling on a train on the North Cornwall line with 31840 and two coaches, one in chocolate and cream.

 

I see that the Gala is four days only this time, and the first weekend has been scrapped.

 

That's right, daveb. Reacting to a variety of influencing factors I guess.

BTW could the title of the thread be corrected - there's no "a" in "West" ;-)

Steve

 

UK Steam states 34046/TBA for Vintage Trains Canterbury Explorer on the Saturday and Vintage Trains brochure says "We are planning to use a rebuilt Bulleid West Country Class locomotive".

 

Silly me - I was the first person to reply and about 30 minutes after my post, I suddenly remembered the VT trip to Canterbury. Nevermind.

A Beattie well tank did cross my mind, It would look nice, and would be authentic for a "Withered Arm" theme, but on a line like the WSR with its steep gradients, would it really be able to do anything? Perhaps a 2-coach local between Minehead and Blue Anchor?

 

To be truly authentic the two coach train would need to be hauled by an original Bulleid.

https://picasaweb.google.com/116839141471298057728/34072257Squadron#5592782188597723618

Sadly '72 won't be available in 2014.

 

The planned dates for this are March 27th to 30th (yes, cut back to one long weekend) and the theme will be "The Withered Arm".