WSR Autumn Steam Gala, Thu 6 to Sun 9 October 2016

Thanks very much for the link, was a bit confused that the construction of the new roundabout would mean that the buses wouldn't be stopping by the station.

 

I don't think its quite as black and white as that. Myself and my dad come every year and do both photography and pay to travel and have done for nearly 15 years. So not knowing what is happening as far as loco facings makes it impossible to plan how to spend our 4 days, where to be when etc. I suspect we're not the only ones in this regard.

The fact is that a gala is supposed to be an enthusiast focussed event and therefore the event should be planned for that target audience which includes ensuring all the right information is provided. Its not the tender first running that disappoints me here, it's the lack of information being provided in relation to when this occurs.

I know we have been spoilt in recent years and have gotten use to everything facing the right way but I completely accept there will be operation reasons for this not always being possible. I don't see this being a massive issue for most ( I do get the point about USP etc) if best efforts are made to let people know the plan.

If the enthusiast is no longer deemed to be important then just scrap the galas and the associated costs. Then the railway can be run for the public and families that turn up and use the railway all year round regardless of what's up front and which way its facing.

 

The buses that are listed as running to BL station will still be doing just that. It is the early and late buses that are not booked at BL station that will not stop at the bus stop in station road, the bus stop is further into the village near the pub due to the road being closed.
This just means that it is a longer walk so will take a few mins more which is worth knowing so you can plan better.
Robin F

 

If all else fails would anyone attending on the Friday be prepared to post towards the end of the day which locos are are which end and which way they are facing so us weekenders can at least have a few hours to plan? I dont mind at all what the lineup is andd have always had a great time at WSR galas but this business of not telling you which way the locos are facing is getting a tad annoying especially for us that support the railway every year by keeping up our lineside passes.

 

Quite frankly yes I would


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The only way I can think of of working out locos and which way they are facing is to watch the webcams on Friday and work it out from there but we shouldnt have to do this.

 

Panic ye not! You may not have to. I understand a definitive list is being compiled (by the Plc) for release.

Steve

 

Great stuff and thanks for letting us know Steve!

 

On the subject of passes, does anyone remember how much it was last year? I think it was £30. When I got my renewal letter recently, it was £50. That is a bit of a jump. The trend over the last few years is for less "official" linesiders and more "unofficial" photographers trespassing. At the SSG in March, for the first time, I encountered more freeloaders than lsp/pts holders.
If the price continues to rise and chimney first running is no longer guaranteed, this will put people off buying lsp's. Does this not risk surrendering the lineside to freeloaders? Is that a good idea?

 

Although £50 sounds a lot, when you think that, for the cost of 2 gala rovers, you can phot at the lineside every day something runs on the WSR, it seems better value!

 

I was linesiding for the Spring Gala and the Winter Steam Festival and never got challenged once for my pass. I myself speak to anyone I see not wearing an official hi vis but it should be properly policed from a safey angle apart from anything else.

 

Actually it is the same as one gala rover. When you only vist for the two steam galas it is a lot. I don't mind paying £50. But no more. If you add the uncertainty of the triangle being not used, many, including myself will think twice.

 

The Spring SDJR Gala was one of the best galas ever with excellent weather. And yet I saw less lsp holders than trespassers. My point is that it seems on that evidence that lsp holders have already baulked at £50.

 

That's what I've been trying to do today ready for a bonus trip tomorrow.

You're quite right though and I will let you know what I know Friday evening


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Well as I said WSR sould police it if they are going to give out lsp's. I challenge everyone I see who is obviously a trespasser. Dnt se why we should have to bankroll trespassers!

 

When we received our first pts training we were told we were the eyes and ears and to challenge trespassers. When there were several of us trespassers listened and left. There are fewer of us now and when I on my own encounter several people trespassing they shrug their shoulders and ignore me at best or are abusive at worst. Some people I saw in March didn't even have a vest.

 

Please consider that most WSR personnel who have PTS would be involved in actually running the trains and therefore not available for this task. Speaking personally, I would not volunteer for this as I have no wish to be ignored or even abused by the trespassers when asked to move.

 

As I understand it, it's the GWR TN/BL shuttles that are making the triangle unavailable for turning locos not the BL/NF/BB service.
In previous years the BL/NF auto train co-existed happily with turning locos on the triangle, and gave us the opportunity to see locos on the triangle.

 

Regarding the lack of turning of locos at BL because of the shuttles a couple of interesting suggestions have already been made, like extending the platform at NF and running the trains to there to meet the TN shuttle and relaying the double track between BL & NF.
Can I suggest another interesting, if equally impossible/expensive/impractical option, of installing another turntable at BL. I've no idea where it could be put though!

 

But is it value for money to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on a project which is likely to be used only about a dozen days a year?