WSR Spring Steam Gala, Thu 26-Sun 29 March 2015

Agree, I had front window on 4277 going backwards up Goodrington bank once and as the train was about 20 late due to a signal fault it was the best bash I've ever had on the P&D Manor or not.

The above front window experience with 4277 is in this video from 00:05 for about 15 secs. Video sticks for a few secs now due to YT changing what they accept.

Generally though they have to be on a railway with banks... so WSR is a good one, had a nice trip behind 5224 at the 2008 SSG. One reason I haven't been to the GWSR for a while is that 2807, 8274 and 4270 won't excite me there.

 

Steam in South wales theme? Everybody forgets the 80000 tanks, black 5s, Brits, std 5s that made it into south Wales.

 

Oh yes they do ! Cue memories of the 19 coach 660 ton train that 3822 hauled throughout from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard one winters evening many years ago. That was noisy ! Unfortunately it was on a dark wet evening with a fine misty drizzle - quite the worst possible conditions for adhesion. The engine slipped to a halt on Washford bank but eventually restarted unaided after some hand sanding.

David

 

Given it didn't happen at the MHR, how about 70025 with a Red Dragon headboard and reporting number ?.

 

The WSR have quite a few goods trucks in running order. They also have a ready supply of used ballast. If they want to run a loaded goods train at a gala, they just need to run the empties up to the triangle at the beginning of the gala, load up and away they go. No good for milk tankers or well wagons, but any open wagon (with a tarp, if necessary) or even a van with wide doors, could carry a few tons, evenly distributed. Of course, they'd need to be careful not to over-load the trucks (ballast being rather denser than coal, for example) and some poor soul will have to unload them afterwards!

 

What a shame the WSR don't offer an overnight running feature like the SVR during their Autumn Gala. No doubt there are numerous factors that mitigate against it, but what a great feature it'd be if possible to offer !

 

I suspect that the original entry on this (16t wagons loaded with coal) particular topic was a bit tongue in cheek. Still, it underlines the expense of running a preserved railway and the compromises that are inevitable in doing so - preserved lines are an exercise in compromise and pragmatism. But we love them, don't we!

 

That must have been an experience. It's a shame they don't do anything like that anymore.

 

I agree. They really don't suit that railway for pulling passenger trains.

 

Press release just issued:

GWR 5542 AND 6695 ARE THE FIRST TWO CONFIRMED “GUEST” ENGINES FOR WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY SPRING STEAM GALA


The first two guest engines to be lined up for the West Somerset Railway’s Spring Steam Gala in 2015 are GWR “Small Prairie” 5542 and GWR 0-6-2T 6695. The theme of the Gala is “The Railways of South Wales” and the aim of the four days between March 26th and 29th will be to recapture the atmosphere of the railways in the south of the Principality in the last decades of steam working.


6695 is one nine surviving members of a class of 200 locomotives built between 1924 and 1928 for work in South Wales. Designed by C.B. Collett the locomotives numbered in the 5600 and 6600 range were built between 1924 and 1928 to replace many of the tank engines inherited from the independent railway companies which had served the South Wales valleys prior to their being grouped with the GWR in 1922. They were versatile machines which worked both mineral trains and local passenger services for four decades until dieselisation saw them withdrawn between 1962 and 1965. 6695 was built for the GWR by Armstrong Whitworth in Newcastle in 1928 and was withdrawn in 1964. Purchased for preservation from Barry Scrapyard she is now based on the Swanage Railway.


5542 is a “Small Prairie” tank engine which was based at Taunton locomotive shed for a number of years and worked trains on what was then the Minehead branch line (now the WSR). Although popularly associated with West of England branch lines these 2-6-2 tank engines were to be found in South Wales, working as far west as the Cardigan branch line. Interestingly some of the first “Small Prairies” were built by the GWR at Swindon but were sent directly to the Port Talbot Railway where they acted as the main class of passenger engines until the 1922 Grouping.


A major discount is still available on the cost of Day Rover Tickets for the 2015 Spring Gala with Adults costing £17.00, seniors (60+) £15.40, child (aged 5 to 15) £8.50 and Family (2 adults and up to 4 children aged 5 to 15) £45.00. For Two Day Rovers for Adults and Seniors the cost will be £30 (children 5 to 15 £15) and Three/Four Day Rovers for Adults and Seniors £40 (£20 for children). This represents a saving of up to 30% on the tickets if they were bought over the counter on the day of the Gala itself. The offer will stay open until close of business on December 31st. After that date advanced tickets will still be still be on sale at discounted prices but the level of discount will be lower.


The discounted tickets can be purchased online at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or by telephone 01643 704996 (all cards are accepted except AMEX). Cheques payable to West Somerset Railway can be sent to the Railway Station, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BG.


FOR COMMENT ON THIS RELEASE CONTACT: Paul Conibeare via 01643 700388 or paul.gm@wsrail.net.

Steve

 

A few years later 3822 took more (21 I think) up the ELR, it walked it. In both cases I think it was all the coaches the lines could make available to run at that time.

 

Anyone got any footage of these feats of haulage with 3822?

Chris

 

Just announced 'Great Western Railway 2-8-0 heavy freight tank engine 4270 has been added to the line-up of guest engines for the West Somerset Railway’s Spring Steam Gala, joining “Small Prairie” 5542 and 56xx Class 0-6-2T 6695 and Minehead based residents 3850, 4160, 4936 “Kinlet Hall”, 6960 “Raveningham Hall” and 7828 “Odney Manor”. '

Steve

 

It's not 2-8-0s that are a problem. It's the WSR. I've had many, many days riding the rails on the WSR and I've never had any thrash even in the Manor gala last year. I still love the railway. It's just not the best railway for thrash but there are other things to steam engines. You know?!

 

Sorry to hear the WSR is a problem but very pleased that you are a regular visitor! I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "thrash". If you mean engines being worked hard, then the WSR has delivered that many times, not through showing off, just through necessity. Is there any more to "thrash" beyond being worked hard? And if so, what are the risks to engines and track? And how uncomfortable might it be for (ordinary) passengers?

Steve

 

It's not a problem for me but if it's thrash you're after, the WSR isn't the best. I enjoy engines being worked hard as much as the next man but it's also nice to see a branch line train pottering along a beautiful Great Western line.

 

What?!! I can't believe I am reading this. I've had plenty of thrashy bashies on WSR metals. 7828 on the last train back to BL on the Friday of the ASG just gone was brilliant.

 

Well, I must be unlucky! I shall have to keep attending.

 

4160 on load 8 certainly doesn't potter about on WSR!