West Somerset Railway General Discussion

What dates is the Spring Gala?

 

27th – 30th April 2017

 

2017 Gala Dates
- Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th April – Spring Steam Gala.
- Friday 9th to Sunday 11th June – Diesel Gala.
- Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September – Late Summer Weekend.
- Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th October – Autumn Steam Gala.
- Friday 29th and Saturday 30th December 2017 – Winter Steam Festival.

Steve

 

Now available online: http://westsomersetrailway.vticket.co.uk/calendar.php

 

Also, the no. 28 bus is not running via the station. WSR passengers will need to alight/board the buses in BL village.

 

And, just to confirm, although it is not a gala, Flying Scotsman will be operating on the railway on 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th September. A special timetable and special fares will be in operation. Also, we are currently investigating the possibility of a second large visiting locomotive to be running on the line during this period. Watch this space!

Frank Courtney

 

Thanks to Ian, I've now completed same on www.wsr.org.uk

Steve

 

It's a bit early, but is the no. 28 bus arrangement likely to last until Easter or the SSG next year?

Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

Looking on the SCC web site for road closures the BL section of Station Road should be open 5th May 2017 so most likely there won't be any buses to the Station until this road is reopened. https://www.travelsomerset.co.uk/roadworks/

 

Please NOT 60163 tornado

 

To crown it all it's not 813!

 

The section of station road which is closed does not stop the buses going to the station, when the work started they still called at the station, so its possible that they will again depending on the work. The best thing is to check with buses of somerset nearer the time.
Robin F.

 

I would be delighted to see Tornado back again as would many volunteers. In the meantime, please feel free to fund and organise your own personal choice of visiting locomotive.

 

The problem is that with the closure of Station Road from the A358 to the Lethbridge Arms that buses would have to do almost a U turn to return to the centre of the village.

 

Whats going on at the Minehead end of the line after Christmas?

 

4160

 

I agree with 4160 but many WSRA members would like to see their shares back first.

Frank did say "large" locomotive which if it happens, would be terrific. I guess though the key question is ticket sales. If FS is a total sell-out then a second loco is not going to generate any seat revenue at all. This is at the end of the day, a money making exercise.

 

Will the new build Saint be ready by then???!

 

A chum has informed me that the Buses of Somerset traffic notice instructs drivers not to visit the railway station at Bishops Lydeard during the road works. The long delays due to the three way traffic lights seems to be the concern. One or two drivers may, of course, forget

Best advice is to plan ahead and, as @robinguarddriver says, check with the bus company before travelling.

Steve

 

There are very valid reasons I think why one might wish for a second visiting loco, inter alia, a back up (no locomotive can be guaranteed against failure), provision of visiting motive power in both directions of travel for the passenger, better value, etc.

This is not simply a money making exercise. It is a major oppurtunity to 'show case' the Railway, attract a new audience, recruit potential volunteers, promote Association Membership and fund raise (particularly for the three locos, numbers 4561, 4110 and 7821, owned by the WSRA and the Plc.)

Success will to a large extent depend on the total commitment and enthusiasm of all WSR staff (paid and volunteer)

Less decrying this as a 'money making exercise' please, more saluting an oppurtunity. Remember what the visit of 92220 ('Evening Star') to the WSR achieved many years ago.

Michael Rowe