WSR Spring 2016 gala

Didn't 53809 come in to service around the same time as 88

Rodders

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Top 5

So, with a little combination of choices, top 5 visitors are:

Bulleid Pacific, 9F, 53809, 4F and Standard tank.

I will pass this onto our SEPT but I would be mighty surprised if we cant meet that.

Robin

 

Going for a curve ball, would the IOWSR mickey mouse be feasible? Aside from the class's S&D connection, this would, I believe, be its first steaming on the mainland in around half a century, and would surely bring a few extra punters in?

 

I'd think 41312 would be a far cheaper option as she should be operational by then and she was of course once a Bournemouth based engine. Unless the IoWSR are willing to let her have a tour around railways on the mainland so close after her returning to steam I'd think the chances would be slim.

 

Couldn't you approach some of the local land owners and operate a park and ride scheme using a vintage bus or 2? Would free up some of the smaller stations for vintage vehicles like Ivo's Bentley to be on display.

 

As a Somerset and Dorset theme is imperative along with making it cost effective. Wells and Tangmere renamed Bude and Biggin Hill hauling a rail tour from Poole to Minehead. Loco ' s work the branch during the day with return working in the evening utilising bllod/custard green stock.

 

Have a railtour with Scot's Guatdsman with the 'Pines' headboard from Manchester to Bush then change engines and have a 9F or something haul it over the WSR. It would be nice to have the 'Pines Express - Manchester to Bournemouth' panels on the coaches.

 

But that would take a path out from the timetable. Maybe they could look into this on the Wednesday if they follow through the preview day again?

 

Any chance of a 'Mega' train at a steam gala (even before 2016!)?

Maybe spilt two 7 coach rakes into 5 coaches for the proceeding train and one of 9 coaches for the special run?

 

In my opinion, I think that it might be a good idea to possibly work it out with a railtour company to have a railtour come in from Manchester/London or somewhere with 34067 or 46115 on the Thursday. The pax stay in hotels and have free reign of the gala on the Friday and Saturday. We use the railtour set of coaches and loco. Then the loco and coaches leave on Sunday to go back with the passengers to wherever they come from. Yes the railtour on Thursday and Sunday would take up a path, but when it gets into BL the support coach could be removed and 3 or 4 WSR coaches added for normal passengers so the train wouldnt completely be taking a path without normal pax capacity. I also think that the Hall, Manor and whatever else that isn't S&D related could be hired out to other railways to generate revenue which can be put into repainting coaches and getting extra guest locos. Also I think that if the aim is to recreate the atmosphere of the S&D then freight is important. Additionally I think that evening trains would be good so that the locos get at least 2 or 3 round trips each. I agree with the Mega train idea, possibly 2 7Fs? I like the idea of the hymek demolition train. Also I think that the timetable should be increased to 50 minutely, as it has been done in the past.

 

The 4x sets are norm 7x coach each? Maybe have 2x 7-coach, 1x 5-coach with a box van / milk tank, leaving enough for a 9-coach rake as the standard weekend sets. Then for the Saturday evening combine 2x of the 3 smaller sets for an Evening RAT / Fish+Chip / whatever to give a 12/14 coach set a return trip doubleheaded (possibly a different combo in each direction even?).

Also if there's any other coaches available, a 1x/2x coach local on the Norden section (or just hire a Bulleid coach)?

 

At this years Spring Gala there was 1 7 Coach set and 3 6 coach sets.

 

TBF the original request was for ideas, though I'll admit a 1-coach WSR - Swanage shuttle maybe an idea too far! Probably be more realistic to try for Norton...

 

They could also use the RMB and BCK off the QB rake (and RU and FO if they could be bothered to let the QB team do meals again). GWR 6705 should be in traffic too. TSO 4884 has just come back into traffic and I think 4419 is still in Williton shed still being overhauled, but maybe one or two are planned to go out of service.

One thing the WSR could look into doing is adding the Hawksworth Saloon to service trains during gala events and operate something like a brunch/cream tea service as seen on the SVR.

I do like the idea of trying to see if a tour could operate through to Minehead on Thursday and return Sunday, with a view to use these coaches during the gala, although how cost effective that would be I don't know. Probably diesel hauled would be a better option to decrease costs.

 

The problem nowadays, as mentioned on another thread, is that the RMB and RU can no longer work without being connected to the generator van, so that would mean at least three more coaches being added without a great deal of extra seating. Correct, 4884 has just come back into service as the 2nd wheelchair accessible coach. I'm not sure whether 6705 has the correct type of corridor connections to enable it to be coupled to Mk 1s without being isolated, which would mean a dedicated member of staff to ride with it at all times. 4419 is at Minehead waiting the refitting of seats. 21174 (the BCK) is stored at Minehead until agreement can be reached on its use, because it, other QB vehicles, 4419 and the Hawksworth saloon all belong to the WSRA so it's anyone's guess how long it will be before any agreement is reached regards their use by the PLC.

The Late Summer Weekend 30-31 August will see 4 sets out, and we should be able to judge how many coaches are available. My guess is that there will be 2 x 7 (steam?) and 2 x 6 (diesel?). If anyone is visiting and decides to do a survey of stock, anything available is usually stored in the bay siding at Minehead. Last weekend, this siding also contained 4419 and the Kinlet Hall support coach, neither of which are available, of course. There are usually 1 or 2 coaches in the carriage shed under heavy repair.

One problem with having trains longer than 7 coaches at galas (or any other time come to that) is that at most of the stations there will be coaches off the platform. Speaking as a Guard, this means I am much more cautious and allow extra time for passengers to board and alight, although the gala timetable should be able to cope with that provided there are no other delays.

I imagine the cost of hiring in a main line set would be in 5 figures, which would mean the loss of one engine to maintain the budget.

 

Thank you for your input Ian as somebody on the inside it is important information. I suppose using the QB stock like you say now wouldn't have much point without the generator van, although if added to a train, even though it would be longer, surely you wouldn't have the issue at most stations of it being longer than platforms because there is no public way of to gaining entry to or exit from the BSK or RU other than by moving into other coaches?

Many railways such as the SVR & SDR use pre-nat stock mixed in with mark 1s, including GWR types, so connector adaptors are out there but whether the WSR have any to use is another question but there has been talk of 6705 being added to trains so can't see this being an issue. The spat between the WSR plc and WSRA obviously needs to be sorted, but when it comes to coaches surely there shouldn't be an issue as at the end of it what else are the WSRA coaches going to do? Sit there whilst people stand.

 

Looking forward to 2moro.

 

Look what actually ended up being at the gala from this post of 18+ months ago! Who says wishful thinking doesn't work.

Marcus

 

In

Indeed, love the 8F