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

Amazing... Just got a room at the first B&B I rang, and it's in BL. Hope there's noting wrong with it! Will be videoing Fri - Sun, and maybe riding on the last trains of the day, once the light starts to fade. If you see a figure bending over a tripod on a distant hilltop, it might be me...

 

The view this morning from the hotel bedroom window

 

Enjoy yourself.

 

Running about 20 late. 80043 still in yard at MH and 53809 worked the 1230 tf instead.

 

Anyone know what's on the 1400 goods in replace of 53809

 

I went yesterday, mainly to enjoy the footplate ride on 53808. Having admired this workhouse from afar, it was great to acually ride on it the length of the line. Followed by a ride back on the cushions behind the newly recreated 34098 'Templecombe'. I also managed a couple of rides behind the standard 2-6-4T.

I can recommend the B&B at the Old Stag's Head at Seven Ash. The new owners are keen enthusiasts, and they have maintained Clive and Maureen Gribble's standards as regards breakfast! Sorry if I'm not supposed to advertise, but I have no personal or business connection with the establishment!

John

 

Long drive down from Lancashire today! Managed a couple of shots this afternoon, but looking forward to two and a half more days riding and photting. First time @ WSR...so far I'm impressed

 

Very enjoyable day with some good runs behind Manston. Bit of a boo boo at the end as the last train from BL over 1hour late in to Washford. Staff on train very apologetic and helpful. A few photo's to sort out later. Day 2 tomorrow.

 

What is wrong with Standard Tank?

 

It's wheels were doing about 60mph (I'm guessing but it was pretty quick!) standing still while leaving Washford this morning. Although a new photo on wsr.org.uk infers that whatever the problem was it's been fixed. Can anyone confirm?

In the meantime here are a few of my photos from today's acton.

53808 powers away from Watchet with a train for Norton Fitzwarren.


80043 heads its only run of the day prior to being failed at Minehead.


The Andrew Barclay shunts at Washford.


92214 stands at Minehead before its non-stop run of the Pines to Bishops Lydeard.


34098 'Templecombe' on shed at Minehead.


48624 takes on coal and water before heading to the turntable, while 80043 receives attention.


Kilmersdon sits in the bay platform at Minehead.


34070 'Manston' stands at Bishops Lydeard after arrival from Minehead.

 

Good shots of some of the trains we were on. Best combination for me was 53809 and 34070 and they really went for it making up time. The non stop was anything but!. Overall timekeeping was poor with no one cause but it didn't spoil an excellent day. I never tire of the longest climb on a preserved line, all the way from Wiliton to Crowcombe.

 

A Further selection of (gray) photographs taken way back last weekend: http://richardsteampics.weebly.com/2016-03-05.html
Absolutely excellent gala, real credit to the railway for putting on a superb show all round. Those who are yet to attend are in for a treat!

Richard

 

Seems so. Kindly soul tells me mud hole and steam pipe leak were fixed this afternoon. Fireman also says a 5am sign-on tomorrow. Then light engine to Lydeard to pick up its rostered turn.

Steve

 

A few from today.

 

The first two shots from me from over the past couple of days. Beautiful weather today, good to see the trains nice and full.


53808 approaching Blue Anchor this morning


34070 charging up the 1in100 towards Crowcombe at Roebuck this afternoon.

Video to follow!

James

 

Bulleid 34098 Templecombe sits on 'Bournemouth West' Shed awaiting its next turn.

 

53808 being turned for its run back up the line.

 

Good stuff at the WSR yesterday. There were a few timekeeping upsets, but whereas at last March's gala I'd felt there wasn't much urgency to catch up (easy to say from a train window of course), everything seemed more nimble and on the ball yesterday. I had to bail out a little early and heard the last train got very late again, but before that the delay that I guess started with the Standard tank's failure had been pretty much caught up, bar 5 mins or so.

Trains were packed in the middle of the day and it was great to see that loco line-up. For absolute personal preference, I knew this wasn't actually going to be my favourite WSR gala as I am more GWR-leaning when it comes to steam but I didn't want to miss an event of this scale even though I knew I'd personally not find the climbs quite as entertaining as when they're done with a Manor or two. Sure enough, though the 8F + Manston double-header in the morning looked fantastic, it made fairly light work of the climb out of Williton - as you'd expect for an 8F and a Bulleid Pacific on six coaches - but I still thoroughly enjoyed having a front window for it, especially with Thursday's good weather. I heard the 7F + Bulleid double-headers were perkier. The non-stop was indeed a bit heavy on stops, but ultimately a line where tight points have to be negotiated at passing loops and there are level crossings to bear in mind was never going to feel too express-like. And when possible (Washford and Stogumber stand out) the 9F certainly did charge through the stations.

I can understand some of the timetable frustrations others have mentioned. Yes, goods trains were an essential call for this one, as was some express running, but those two things happening on consecutive up departures did leave some gaps. Overall I like a varied timetable more than the hourly one, though. It was quite a tough day to plan in a way that let me do everything I wanted and ideally I'd like to have gone back for some more tomorrow but need to put family first this weekend.

Overall, well done to all involved for a great achievement. It might not have been my top WSR gala of recent years, but that's partly because so many of them have been incredible. And while I liked the variety of the blue, I'm now convinced that 7Fs definitely look better in black too.

 

Not the video I'd hoped to make, just a few shots from Wednesday and Thursday morning before we had to return home. Thanks to all at the WSR for the wonderful display they have put on.

 

Very good. Yes the 4F really struggled on the climb out of BL on the first train on Saturday. taking 0ver 16 minutes to CH with speed around 17 mph most of the way.