WSR Spring Steam Gala - Thu 27 to Sun 30 April 2017

How well will it manage on the WSR then - 20 miles without a water stop

 

Typical water consumption for a 7 coach train MD to BL on the WSR is about 900 gallons, however this assumes that the locomotive is superheated, is not providing steam heat and that the crew are familiar with vagaries of the particular locomotive. Wasting water at the injector overflows and blowing off at the safety valves can both have a significant effect on consumption, in addition the driver also has plenty of scope for using more steam than required if not careful. Added to this delays at galas can leave trains waiting unexpectedly at the bottom of a long climb with a ready fire and nowhere to go, in such circumstances blowing off is difficult to control.

On the plus side:- 1501 has a nominal water capacity of 1300 gallons (if memory serves), it will be in very good condition due new piston and valve rings being fitted at present and it was a proven performer at the 2002 spring gala. WSR crews are both well trained and experienced with GWR tank locomotives over the 20 miles of waterless WSR.

On the down side:- 1501 is not fitted with a superheated boiler and as such uses more water to transfer the same amount of heat from the boiler to the cylinders. Steam heating will be required if the weather is not good. The late gala will probably require that all trains are 6 Mk1's minimum.

Excellent gala being planned, I only hope that double headed 4F's will feature and that the 4F's will cross at both WN and BA for the photographers. Never have a pair of 4F's worked together since the 1960's as far as I am aware.

Andy.

 

It'll be fine with sensible steam usage. The restriction on the SVR is a conservative one, intended more to ensure a good % of certainty of finishing a trip with a comfortable volume of water in reserve. 15xx capacity is 1250 gallons ish if memory serves.

 

15xx, 94xx, 57xx and 8750 classes are all permitted 7 coaches on the WSR.

 

Seeing them cross will be nice if they are both the right way round.

 

Andy, if memory serves correct 1501 doesn't have an air pump either so brake ejector will be on most of the time too.

 

I think we ran a 5 coach set previously for 46521 which was about the max she would take with a greasy rail on the banks!

 

All booked up for this one! Staying near Blue Anchor for three nights...all that's needed now is some lovely weather!

 

Does anyone know if what I have heard is true. That the WSR are not issing any more lineside pass renewals or new passes and may not do them any more. Really bad news if this is true.

 

I tried to renew mine as it expires at the end of March. I was told that none are being issued or renewed at the moment. Don't know why but I suspect it may have something to do with Flying Scotsman visiting. Does anyone know for sure the reason?

 

A friend of mine also tried to renew and was told the same but also they said 'We are waiting for a decision from them 'the board' as to whether the passes will be continued.. Doesnt sound too positive.

 

She used to take 8 regularly on the SVR, sometimes 9, in her previous ticket. Don't forget what this class was built for. As you say, this limit is a cautious one, introduced relatively recently.

 

Yeah they were built to cover a few miles between Old Oak and Paddington!

 

Does anyone know if anything is planned for May 1st which is the Bank Holiday Monday? It's not listed as a gala day, so looks like normal fares and timetable. What is the likelihood of one or two of the visitors being used?

 

Any goods runs planned?

 

Other than 5199, which is staying until early June apparently, I would say highly unlikely. I believe the other visitors will be departing within a few days of the gala and will need disposing, cleaning, and readying for loading.

 

It will be my first visit to the railway, for 2017. Looking forward to some good ales, at Bishop's Lydeard.

 

Quantock Brewery, adjacent to BL station won't disappoint. Enjoyed their new ale QPA (Quantock Pale Ale) last evening at said premises. They will also have a real ale bar set up on Minehead platform during the gala. Wash down the QB brekkie with a QB beer perhaps?

I can highly recommend this informative special page for full details of Quantock Belle's gala services and menus:

http://www.wsr.org.uk/qb2017ssg.htm

Barrie
Somerset CAMRA committee member

 

Your friends at Stogumber, knock out some good grub too lol