West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Yes, the pig-ignorant macho type that gives railway enthusiasts a bad name. It only takes someone like that to upset Joe Public, and we have yet another reinforcement of the media generated anorak image. There are times when even I, after 55 great years of being a railway enthusiast, wonder whether there is a grain of truth in that stereotype.

john

 

Years ago at one of the stations my soaking wet hi-vis was hanging off my bag dripping, a shout went up to put it in my bag as it was spoiling someone's shot. About to apologise I realised it was a staff member so the retort was that their eye should be on their duties and not on their camera. Still feel bad about it, but I did move well away so it didn't reflect in the loco. A lot of LSP holders do not remove their hi-vis in the public areas and that is a real nuisance, about 12 years ago we talked the staff at BL barriers into stopping people coming off the line and reminding them to do so at the barrier. A few grumbled but a couple of them got really shirty over it because it was a right inconvenience. Staff going about their business in orange are totally acceptable, LSP holders swanning around platforms in them is not to most people

 

Are you allowed to use the adult voice on here? I thought you had to be petulant and childish or condescending and parental.

 

Today's first WSR 'then and now' is at Washford, with a comparison between shots taken on the last day of BR service - 2nd Jan 1971 - and today.

The 'now' shot includes some WSR plc track machines and the S&DRT collection of vehicles.

Robin

1971



2017

 

That reminds me of a WSR Gala a few years back. I had arrived at BL on the bus and walked up the line to the well known location at Walnut Tree. I had passed around 5 photographers in the field and was well out of shot. As I was puffed, I paused. I had been stationary for a couple of seconds when a stentorian voice rang out "I do hope you are not going to stand there as I am panning around". It wasn't difficult to identify the source as a well heeled bolshy looking gent while the other 4 looked sheepishly at the floor. Being the polite person I am I naturally moved another 10 yards, hid behind the hedge, and got a nice shot. When I started to walk back he was dashing away but the other 4 came up to me and apologised.

So not all LSP holders are view blocking idiots, in the same way that not all non lsp holding photographers are freeloaders (but I bet he was).

 

Who didn't shut the gate...?

 

I'm not sure I want to speculate on what that would imply for crossing movements on a railway...

 

As a long retired railway photographer ( I realised I was wasting time and money) I can tell you that you have dismally failed to get the master shot. For a start, in your first photo there is no voluminous cloud of smoke being emitted from the chimney, it doesn't include the whole loco, is taken from above ground level and, horror of horrors, some people have got in your composition. Your second is clearly an attempt at being Colin Gifford and has failed because there is no hint of either a train in the landscape or moody lighting.

 

I don't care - I like them !

Robin

 

So do I.

 

... and were the loco's rods low down?

 

Bit unfair calling LSP holders spoilt brats, more like those that complain about the orange vests think they should get preferential treatment cause they don't have one.
I'm sure the WSR can do with the bad publicity if someone wanted to take this more further and public then the board for example.....

 

Was there anything on the land to the right before 1971?

 

Someone else who takes photos of the underside of bridges etc.
I thought I was in a minority of one.

 

You have hit the nail on the head. There is far more to railway photography than the 3/4 head on shot. At the risk of being controversial, (who me?), these may to some epitomise the railway, but the shots like those two are far more interesting. In particular the lighting in the first is perfect. They just show how effective a modern phone's camera can be. The real essential is to have the ability to spot photo opportunities wherever you are. A scan through Steve Edge's website shows just what a good eye Robin has.

 

Goods shed, cattle dock and end loading bay, more or less like Dunster is for layout.

 

Here is Washford shortly before the 'dozers arrived.

Robin

 

Should we start a society?

Robin

 

That's an excellent photo, Robin. Perhaps the FOCS can turn their attention here next?

 

I'm off to the Swanage Railway early tomorrow, so try another WSR 'then and now' snapped before a meeting at Bishops Lydeard today.

This time you are comparing 1961 and 2017, but for once there is a train and a loco in the mix, and they are in colour...

Robin

1961



2017