West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I had a great day out on the WSR today with fantastic blue skies and spring sunshine. The train I travelled on was the John Pearce Ashes train for which there was a good turnout with a whole carriage reserved for friends and family. We crossed with a diesel driving experience train hauling goods wagons. Whilst it did look impressive most of the vehicles are at the stage where a spruce up should not be long delayed. The exception was Robin White's van that looked very good. I hope the weather stays good for the gala. The BBC forecast looks good but not much sun. The crew were pleasant and efficient.

 

I'm sure the tractor units are vinyl wrapped also the box trailers , however I don't think the curtain siders are wrapped but just printed on appropriate coloured " curtains ".

 

I was on shovel duty up front and we did our very best to keep the loco quiet at Crowcombe while everyone assembled on the platform. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, the lambs were running around in the fields. Another perfect day.

 

When do visitors for gala start arriving please

 

Tuesday onwards I believe.

 

I had the pleasure of being one of the candidates on the Diesel Experience Course yesterday and I have to say it's the best Railway-based experience I've ever had.

The DEPG crew and WSR Guard were excellent and my fellow candidates were good company also. Not only did I get to drive and be Second-man, but I also got a very pleasant ride in the brake van, standing on the veranda at the back chatting to the guard as we drifted through the beautiful Somerset coastal scenery in the sunshine.

There were just the three of us and as a result, we each got to drive 20 miles and it really gives you a true appreciation and respect for the Loco crews both Diesel and Steam for their skill and route knowledge. The WSR goes up and down quite a bit for sure!

For anybody who might ever have considered doing it ... do it, you won't regret it!

Mike.

 

I hope someone has checked that they can get through the road works if they're not coming by rail..

 

I hope someone has checked that they can get through the road works if they're not coming by rail..

 

To keep the roadworks in context I've been through them many times now. They are three way and take a while to cycle through so give yourself about 10-15 mins extra just to be safe and lowloaders are getting through ok to unload at BL station.

 

I think the last low-loader managed OK with the present layout

 

Mate, you can start arriving any time you like , howabout tomorrow , or a week next tuesday!

 

Isn't that the authentic '50s look?

 

Possibly but would you want the locomotives to have an uncared for grubby look?

 

As ever it's all about balance, and I've always thought that's quite hard with wagons. Wagons gleaming like freshly overhauled and cleaned steam locos look a bit silly frankly, but no one wants to see their hard work looking slightly worse for wear. With wagons there's a happy medium some time after overhaul when it's faded before it begins to look sad, the trick is to restore it such that hopefully it'll stay in that middle state for as long as possible!

 

I agree. The wagons at Washford between the workshop and the WSR track are a great example as to what can be done. The wagons they have awaiting restoration still look cared for. In contrast to some elsewhere on the WSR have vegetation growing up through them and in one case out of them! This does not create a good impression with some visitors.

 

On the Bluebell a few of our open wagons have wagon sheets (over a suitable light wooden framework representing a dummy load if they don't have sheet rails, so as to ensure that the sheet doesn't sag and end up with pools of water in it). That way gives a degree of visual authenticity as well as helping protect the wagon. Of course, it makes it a bit harder to see what is underneath!

Tom

 

I agree. I did this a year or two ago - a brilliant day and well worth it!

 

Ok, set up a two road shed and workshop,with sidings and vehicular access and I will ,with the help of like minded individuals,turn out two to three wagons a year. Then using a Tardis go back to the late 1980's so I can have a level playing field with the Washford lot.
I think £1,000,000 will pay for the land ,planning, building etc, cheques accepted. Will take a while to get hold of a second hand Tardis.

 

I am sure this is meant to be ironic, but I'm not sure I get it?

Robin

 

arrival of visiting locos...