West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Or start volunteering as painters!

 

Surely the WSR ought to be aiming for more than just "It's ok, other lines' stock is just as faded"?

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

The problem to solve on the WSR is not what happens to coaches when they go through Minehead carriage works, where the standards are excellent, but rather the time to cycle coaches through the works.

I know the Head of Mechanical Engineering, Dave Horton, has this on his list to tackle, and would suggest that he is the best person to contact if you have a burning desire to paint coaches.

Robin

 

Given the limitations of minehead C+W might Williton be a good place to carry out quick repaints? I seem to recall a disgraced ex trustee saying williton had a good reputation for painting? At the time I dismissed it as "so what" but that was in relation to contract work, not the WSR's own coaches.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

I do know I have seen lorries go the same way with regarding fading of paintwork . There was one particularly local large fleet , painted red . Within a year or two they would be showings signs of fading . However , they changed their paint supplies and things were much improved .

 

Very droll - but you know that's not what I was saying

Perhaps you might tell us how many coaches in the operational fleet have, in your opinion, poor shabby external paintwork?

It is very clear you have lots of solutions and I urge you to write to the Plc.

Steve

 

Apologies, I was probably being a bit forthright, I certainly wouldn't claim to have lots of solutions, I don't feel I know the railway well enough to write anything of substance useful to the PLC. Discussing it on here is, I feel, a suitable level for my understanding!

I think Paul might be on to something about types of paint, what paint does the WSR use?

 

OK. I'll must try to remember this

Steve

 

This will be music to @paulhitch's ears, but this is one of the penalties of having a longer line - needing several sets to maintain a decent interval service (is it 3 or 4 on the West Somerset?) and hence needing to be able to achieve higher through-put on overhauls.

A line which can manage with just one set has a lot less work to do - though probably a lot less income to share round too! Again, I am sure Paul would point out you can't charge twice as much for twice a long a journey (although I do know of a case where the fare for a new, longer journey 1/3 more than the previous length of journey was at least 1/3 more, so it can depend on where you are going to!) but it may be that more 'income per coach' can be earned by a shorter line needing less resources to deliver the service, but the reality seems to be that the busier lines all do have more than one set of coaches and run more intensive services. There are exceptions (Lakeside is pretty busy for the length and resources deployed) but often you find that all that happens is there is a second set of coaches for use at busy times, which means one set is standing around at other times and if there is no covered accommodation, then standing around can be worse for the carriages well-being than being in use!

I suspect a carriage shed is what the West Somerset fleet really needs, to maintain the 'ex-works' appearance and lengthened the time between overhauls being needed, giving C & W the chance to achieve the through-put required.

Steven

 

Just a gentle and general note - when people offer constructive criticism, why do some others feel the need to jump down their throats?

Many lines have coaches they would rather hide away than have to use, based on external experience - indeed, I think it is admitted by most posters that this includes the WSR, so why do some posters turn so aggressive when 'outsiders' offer comments and yes, helpful suggestions?

I find it rather sad - whilst being able to understand that WSR supporters are rightly proud of their line. Nevertheless, being willing to be self-critical and accept constructive criticism from others, is essential for any organisation to keep on top of its game.

Steven

 

There was a trial a few weeks back of new cleaning materials. The usual suspects got involved and turned their attentions away from locos to work on a coach with some interesting results.

As elbow grease is in short supply, we need to set up another cleaning gang. There are plenty of guards and TTI's around who I am sure could do their bit i.e. working on the vehicles in which they travel. How about it folks ?

 

Posted 10 years ago (26.11.2007,) not much has changed regarding C&W, onward to Saturday's meeting.

 

Which is one reason why Stobart vinyl wrap their lorries. Does this process get used on rolling stock?

 

Extensively with newer stock on the national network. As far as I am aware, not at all on heritage lines. I suspect the effect should moisture get trapped between the vinyl and the metalwork is a reason - you probably need to apply to perfect bodywork to ensure this doesn't happen (no claims of having perfect bodywork please!)

Steven

 

I think the reason for vinyls is more to do with producing a complex scheme easily rather than better resistance to weathering. Which isn't a consideration for a heritage vehicle. Take a look at the tat that passes for First Great Western rolling stock next time you get a chance if you want to see how shabby and lifeless vinyls can end up looking when applied to railway vehicles. Not something a heritage railway should be aspiring to replicate.

Tom

 

I tell people to stop swearing of they say "spr*y" in our paintshop, let alone wraparound vinyl!

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

The WSR saw a Steam Dreams Cathedrals Express run from London to Minehead today. 46100 Royal Scot brought the 11 coaches plus class 47 diesel to Norton Fitzewarren where 53808 took over for the journey to Minehead. The 47 will take the charter back this evening and Royal Scot will stay at Bishops Lydeard until tomorrow morning when it will return with its support coach.


The first picture is of 53808 approaching Bishops Lydeard shed on its way straight through the station, you can’t see the Fireman but it’s @Aldford who was shovelling away getting ready for the 4 mile climb to Crowcombe, with that size of train he would have had plenty of exercise by the time he got up both Crowcombe and Washford banks!! The second is Royal Scot running to shed for servicing having followed the train up to BL with its support coach and the 47.

 

I think I detect, if not quite a Damascene conversion, something approaching one!

Paul H/

 

If the excellent quality of paintwork applied to D832 Onslaught by the DEPG was anything to go by, then Williton could be a consideration.

<BJ>

 

Lovely to see 53808 with a train of maroon stock for a change. The WSR does so many things well but alas cannot normally provide a maroon set for its ex S&D locos.

Peter James