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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. Stu in Torbay

    Stu in Torbay Part of the furniture

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    I agree wholeheartedly. The turntable looks superb. I imagine this is how brand new facilities looked in the 1800s when equipment was being installed for the first time on newly-built lines. All shiny and new. Love it!
     
  2. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

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    A techno question for anyone who has seen the turntable "in the flesh" or has detailed knowledge of that type of 'table: Do the four wheels have a "flat" tyre profile running on a "flat" rail top ? No actually easy to see from the photographs on ther wsr.org site.

    If it is as I describe, then someone did some very accurate measuring and setting out!

    Have to say it looks superb in situ.

    46118
     
  3. I haven't been to the work site nor am I a techie but...some clearer pictures of the wheels are at
    http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/pixpage.c ... es&t=ttpix
    and they look "flat" to me. [Edit - sorry I could have made it easier by adding the picture itself to this message]
    [​IMG]
    A picture from http://www.wsr.org.uk © John Farley

    I think the rail tops look flat(ish)too.

    WSW
     
  4. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

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    Thanks WSW that clears that up.

    The 'table appears to be powered by the "armstrong" method, or is vacuum to be added?

    46118
     
  5. quarterjack

    quarterjack New Member

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    I'm not a WSR member but I think it's pretty much certain that this 'table will alway rely on the 'Armstrong' method. I have researched GWR 'tables and I have yet to see and 'overgirder' version that was powered. This particular table is one of only two in existence (sadly), the other being at Swindon on the site of the old works. They are to a standard design that were originally built to 55' and subsequently lengthened which is exactly what the WSR has had done to this ex-Pwllheli one. I've crawled all over the Swindon one and it still turns. It's hard work fighting the inertia but it's okay once it gets going. If I get the chance to get to Minehead this year I wonder if, for a donation, they'd let me turn this one? That would be 2 out of 2! Mind you, turning one with a King or Castle on it.... phew! :-k
     
  6. Premier Prairie

    Premier Prairie New Member

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    The 'support' wheels are definately flat and run on top of the circular rails (newly manufactured to account for the revised radius, not sure if the 'set of the wheels has also been adjusted) although anything more than the lightest of weight on them and I suspect it would be impossible to turn. Having been involved in the original effort to recover the turntable 30 odd years ago and wondering for a long while wether it was ever going to get used it is great that it is now about to see further use (shame my loco allegiance no longer requires such an object!) however those of you who might want a go at pushing it around might wish to keep tabs on the WSR Heritage Carriages Info as it has been suggested that as a fund raiser there may well be a sponsored turntable push at some point before too long. Find yourself 3 likeminded mates and some sponsors and you will probably be able to push to your hearts content for an hour! #-o

    John
     
  7. Broomhalla

    Broomhalla Well-Known Member

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    You could make a record of it.
    Who can turn a castle the quickest all funds go to restoring something or building something on the line.
    I'm sure some nutters would have a go, me included, just so you could say you had done it.
     
  8. quarterjack

    quarterjack New Member

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    Stick on the biggest engine you can get to fit and count me in!

    The carrier wheels will have been 'set' when the new ends were put on the 'table. Don't forget that, when unloaded, the wheels are supposed to be about 1/4" clear of the ring rail. A loaded 'table deforms slightly under the weight bringing the wheels into contact.

    Even, as I said, though I'm not a WSR member I am really proud of what they've done. While the SVR argues about whether or not they actually need to install their second 'table (and to be fair they have more important things to worry about) and the Mid Hants lets it's own 'table rust in the weeds, the WSR has raised the bar a bit higher. Soon it will be the first standard gauge railway in the UK that can turn its engines at both ends. I know that not every crew will want to push the engine round each time it gets to Minehead, but the fact that they can if they want to - 65 feet of respect is due! =D>
     
  9. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

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    From what I read somewhere earlier, it is not the intention to turn the tender loco's in ordinary daily service, ie on the 'table at Minehead and on the triangle at Norton. However someone will have worked out how the line affects flange wear on both loco's and carriages so that can be equalised ( and maybe which side of the rolling stock weathers the quickest) so it will have its uses quite apart from turning incoming visiting steam engines.

    Having just heard on the news that petrol is likely to hit £1-50 a litre in the forseeable future maybe the day of the "rail excursion to the seaside" might come again!

    Subject of course to paths being available on NR, I can think of a number of starting points for excursions to Minehead that would not involve a 5 am start.

    However you get the feeling reading the "runes" that the WSR is increasingly short of volunteers to run this ever-expanding enterprise, so lets hope that does not become a limiting factor in their progress.

    46118
     
  10. Stu in Torbay

    Stu in Torbay Part of the furniture

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    Nice free movement to it. Will it have a geared handle for turning locos, or just rely on brute force (as per the clip) to get it moving?
     
  11. m1ss_wh1te

    m1ss_wh1te New Member

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    The real trick is to get the loco nicely balanced on the centre bearing.
     
  12. jimbo

    jimbo New Member

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    It's not intended to turn loco's in everyday service, as BL will remain the southern limit of passenger trains for the forseeable future. But engines will be turned as galas i expect.
     
  13. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    I remember at a SVR gala 60009 was hauling a passenger train tender first towards Bewdley tunnel. As the locomotive passed by I signalled to the crew to oblige us with some clag later in the day as the train would emerge from the tunnel on the return leg. Sure enough the crew opened her up and the clag was phenominal. Such a shame that the loco had been turned on the turntable at Kiddy and once again was running tender first.

    Happy days. <BJ>
     
  14. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    The WSR plc has now purchased GWR 2-8-0 no 2874, presently standing unrestored at Blaenavon. See Latest news at http://www.wsr.org.uk. The 28/38s have proved to be ideally suited and very economical for use on the WSR's heavier trains.
     
  15. Broomhalla

    Broomhalla Well-Known Member

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    I couldn't think of a better home for the engine. Good luck restoring her as i'm sure she'll be a credit to the line.
     
  16. Scorpian04111986

    Scorpian04111986 Member

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    Another Loco for the line eh good luck with the restoration is she in fairly good condition or does she need a lot of work.
     
  17. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    Green light for Railway Developments at Bishops Lydeard.

    Taunton Deane Borough Council’s planning committee met on Wednesday 21 May and councillors voted to GRANT planning permission for the West Somerset Railway’s proposed Museum, Carriage Display building, other tourist facilities and associated developments adjacent to Bishops Lydeard station. As well as the Museum and Carriage Display Building the planning permission allows for: a cafe; courtyard with picnic and children’s play area; cycle hire shop; microbrewery; creative industry units; an office building for a local carbon-offsetting business; some road safety improvements, including a much needed roundabout at the A358 junction; plus open-market and affordable housing.

    See Latest News at http://www.wsr.org.uk

    David
     
  18. Stu in Torbay

    Stu in Torbay Part of the furniture

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    Fantastic news! Things just get better for the WSR - and long may it be so!
     
  19. Scorpian04111986

    Scorpian04111986 Member

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    I'm glad thay got their planning permission as I had a visit from Robin White (WSRA Chairman?) during my trip at their Spring Steam Gala, and he asked me to email in my view which I did their plans look to be groundbraking and well done to them for all their hard work.

    They are also preserving one of the countr finest pieces of heritage at the same time.
     

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