WSR S&D Spring Steam Gala, 5-6 and 10-13 March 2016

Hi malc (and others)

Message from the Commercial Dept at Minehead:

"Those folks on Nat Pres who haven’t had the programme they have paid for, could they e-mail their name/postal address and I will send one out. john.com@wsrail.net"

With thanks

Steve

 

Hats off to the WSR for some excellent double-headed combinations timetabled to appear at the S&D gala.

After studying the working timetable I see that the first day of the gala, Saturday, 5th, is rather quiet.
If you start your day at Bishops Lydeard the first departures are at 09:05, 09:50 and 10:45. Then there is a 1 hour, 50 min wait until the next departure at 12:35 and then a 2 hour, 25 min wait until the 15:00. I thought that the hourly timetable at previous WSR galas was quiet but this is worse.

Oh well, think positive William ......there's time for a snooze in between the excitement. <BJ>

 

The Special Events Planning Team wish to encourage visitors to the Spring Steam Gala to purchase a programme giving full details of the locomotive rosters. However, the Team recognise it helps to know what locos will be in service on each Gala day when planning a visit.

Sat 5 March 53808, 53809, 44422, 92214, 48624, 80043, 34053
Sun 6 March 53808, 53809, 44422, 92214, 48624, 80043, 34053, 34070 (plus D7017 on demolition train)
Wed 9 March 53808, 53809, 44422, 80043, 34098
Thu 10 March 53808, 53809, 44422, 92214, 48624, 80043, 34070
Fri 11 March 53808, 53809, 44422, 48624, 80043, 34098, 34070
Sat 12 March 53808, 53809, 44422, 92214, 48624, 80043, 34098, 34070
Sun 13 March 53808, 53809, 92214, 48624, 80043, 34070

Note that 34053 is planned to be renumbered/renamed as 34098 Templecombe from Wednesday onwards, courtesy of Templecombe Station Group.


(posted on behalf of the Special Events Planning Team)

Steve

 

Thank you Steve and of course, the Special Events Planning Team for posting the above information. I'm sure I can say not just for myself but for many others that are following this thread, it is very much appreciated.
I'm now sure yourself and the team, as you have already stated, not only is it helpful to know what locomotives are allocated to work which days, a number of other factors are taken into consideration before deciding which day to visit. For example; Arranging time of work, cost of personal travel whether it be by private car or public transport, time away from family commitments etc.
I for one will definitely travel on the railway during my visit/visits and of course I shall purchase a souvenir programme. Thank you again.

 

Heading for Bishops Lydeard from Williton 1035, 1312 then 1540.
It does seem rather strange considering the large investment in visiting locos that the only days a "normal" gala timetable is in operation is Friday 11th-Sunday 13th.
Maybe they are not expecting many people on the first weekend?

 

It seems though that on 5th and 6th March, most trains run to Norton Fitzwarren, but only a couple on 12th and 13th March. Swings and roundabouts!

John

 

Bulleid spelt bullied in programme, printing error??

 

Steve, once again, thank you for your help. Still hoping to come at some point and these details are really helpful.

 

Just to wet your whistles a bit, today at the 'S&D shed' at Bishops Lydeard, no GWR engines allowed !!!.

 

Hi

Will the locos all be running the right way round using the turntable and the loop?

If not does anyone know which way the locos will be facing ?

 

Very nice Andy.
By the way, when is Class 8F 48624 expected to arrive from the Great Central Railway.
Just a bit of history about this 2-8-0 locomotive. I believe it is the only Southern built survivor of the class, being one of fourteen that were built at Ashford in 1943.

 

The plan is to turn at each end so yep the locos will* run right way round. (* plans can go wrong!)

Steve

 

That's fantastic cant wait to the 11th March, it has been three years since my last visit

 

Hmm, half tempted to come on Friday 11th but depends whether anything gets in the way (plus maybe finances).

 

A gleaming 53809 today

 

I'm planning to visit on Friday the 11th, have my WTT and ticket ready to go, hoping for a run behind 53809, I can't figure it's Friday working though.

It arrives NF Thursday pm, and next appears leaving MD on Friday, are there movements not shown?

I'm assuming it's ok to ask now the loco's working each day are known, TIA

 

Double-check your WTT but I see it in BL on Thursday night. Then on Friday 11th working BL-MD with 44422 at 14.50 and then back MD-BL 17.45 back into BL 19.07. Let me know if that makes sense ?
Andy

 

That's not in my WTT! Just has 44422 down for that train. Printing error with a first batch maybe? Also noted that it has '*Tender first' in the notes at the bottom, but a * never appears on the timetable itself! I assume this is for the MD-WN returns on the 5/6/10? Would be helpful to know which direction the loco will be running backwards.

 

Agreed. The programme does not mention 53809 on any Down train on Fri 11 Mar. But the actual WTT does show it double-heading with 44422 the 14.50 to Minehead as Andy says and I'll go with that

Also, after asking, I understand the "* Tender first" was not spotted during proof checking so we can at least ignore that and look forward to an chimney-first Gala (usual caveats apply!)

Steve