West Somerset Steam Express October 22

My footage of Princess Elizabeth accelerating away from Frome near Witham Friary. Amazing soundtrack from Lizzie. Enjoy.

 

That's her leaving Frome - it was rather overcast at the time. I don't know why I cant insert any text with the image

 

6201 seen at Paddington and Ealing Broadway, with no stinky red box on the back

 

As I was waiting for the train at Cranmore it approached the station rather slowly. A little girl asked her mother ''Why is the train moving so slowly Mummy? Has it ran out of petrol?'' <BJ>

 

Hanwell and Bedwyn

 

Would like to thank RTC WCR and WSR for showing 100% STEAM is still possible! !! Pity there was not a few more bums on seats though

 

Wendy and I were late bums on the seats having done quite a few unadulterated trips with the A1 we fancied a change and did a 'turn up and go' which is always risky but we were lucky and being at the front of coach 3 for the climb from Bruton last night was something that will long live in the memory. With the WSR offering £5 for the maximum possible extra mileage which was from Minehead to Williton with 44422, returning with 5542 as well as putting 6960 on for a very audible display on the load 8 charter from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return this was certainly a great day for the true steam enthusiast. We were just as lucky last year with 70000 for the same trip and well done to all concerned for giving us what we crave, no diesels.

 

Quite a contrast with the loading on the VT to Chester tour. From speaking to many people in recent weeks it's not just the enthusiasts who don't want to see assisting diesels spoiling supposedly steam hauled trains. If there hadn't been a Castle over Gresford we'd have been behind Lizzie, though many we spoke to on the day said they wouldn't have taken the risk.

 

Exactly my point a year ago that one of the promoters seemed be under the impression that only enthusiasts cared whereas we listened to many 'ordinaries' complaining and saying one more trip with a diesel sub would be their last. After all it's a lot of money for so called heritage diesel haulage on the main line that if so desired one could get any day of the week in Norfolk or Cumbria for the price of a day return.

 

Do you get much of a discount for turning up on the day on the off-chance please?

 

You can have heritage diesel EVERY day of the week throughout the North West - its called Northern...

 

I wonder if Northern are working on an electric mod for the Pacers...a sort of " trolleybus on rails" version....

46118

 

Not seen a single speed quoted. Did anyone on board have a GPS? Class 8 with 10 should have expected some seriously quick summit speeds. Outward: Savernake high 60s?. On the return: Somerton Tnl 70+?; Bruton high 60s? Brewham high 50s? Savernake (even with the Woodborough water stop) 60+?; How did the old girl do?

 

Well we are getting heritage EMUs now. Cast offs from the South as they get brand new stock. A veritable rail museum.

Reflecting on the shortfall in customers for the West Somerset, I was wondering if tours at this time of year are less popular with loss of daylight hours. Or have we come to a point where enthusiasts and others have been worn down by disappointment thus losing trust in the provider. If so how are the tour operators going to restore that trust?