West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I have always been most impressed by the efforts (and particularly the results) of the cutting back achieved by the WSR both when compared to other preserved railways and in its own right. If you feel additional effort is required, do not hesitate to volunteer, bring your own tools.

Best regards

 

You try looking after circa 40 miles of lineside when all the vegetation wants to do is grow, even when you've hacked it back - its a thankless task compared to your back garden, which by comparison is a postage stamp!

Every line, including my own, will be facing an uphill battle this time of year to keep the lineside trim for those traveling - all boils down to time, resources & manpower available, and those that can and do strive to keep things trim hardly if ever get any recognition for their efforts.

 

YABU! Try riding the WSR and you will see plenty of evidence of cutting back not to mention the weed train. It is a thankless task but the cutting back crews do a great deal.

 

Have a look at other pictures on wsr.org.uk - you will find quite a few pics showing cutting back gangs at work in several locations. Also you will find a pic of one of the Railway's RRVs engaged in cutting back at 9.30pm the other day. Not quite a "thing of the past" after all, I'm sure you'll agree.

Steve

 

For the avoidance of doubt, my reference to weeds was rather poorly judged; I was thinking more of the potatoes and other plants which seemed to be sprouting very strongly in the thread rather than any issues with lineside vegetation.

 

You obsessive Robin ? Surely never . Except when you have the bit between your teeth . I'm sure the WSRA are in the fine position it is now due to your need to see the right people in charge in the Association . Many thanks . When I started this post I didn't expect for it to end this way .
Paul . K

 

Thank you for that, Paul.

But it was the efforts of a number of folk, and ultimately the 1627 WSRA members who voted the old guard out, who achieved that.

We don't have an internal war now, but there are number of weaknesses across the whole Railway at a number of levels which need to be addressed before we can fully capitalise on the wonderous location of our Railway and the commitment of our volunteers and staff.

Robin

 

I travelled on the railway a few weeks ago and have no recollection of excessive lineside growth. I was able to enjoy the scenery from the train as I always do. There are plenty of photographs on wsr.org.uk which show that plenty of great shots have been taken over the last few days so I don't under what all this grumbling is about. I'm beginning to wonder if all this is connected with the end of the photographic pass scheme as some sort of revenge.

Finally, just to show that the railway does undertake cutting back, here is a picture of the flailer in operation from just *THREE* days ago.

PS I forgot to add the link - http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2017/06/199

 

Might have been trying to flush the sheep out of the undergrowth!!

Jeff

 

Looking at the old photo's its clear that there has been a lot of tree growth across the whole country over the last half century or so.

I am told that the drop in the rabbit population as a result of myxamatosis is one of the reasons

 

First the sheep, now the pigeons!

http://cgibin.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2017/06/217

 

The owner clocked his loft mate about 9.30 this morning, he obviously took the more direct route! The Williton bird was enjoying the attention yesterday

 

Obviously in need of a little restoration.

 

Has anyone thought of running a real pigeon train including a release?

 

North Norfolk Railway have a suitable van - when I saw it, it was a very informative exhibit in their museum, but I believe it is available for traffic, and stunning it looks too.

http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=928



Tom

 

Is there still another manor to come to WSR.

 

I think that RVP at Lo9ughborough ran a pigeon releasing special train, using their restored Gresley BGP some years ago.

 

Will there be a volunteer day this year please.

 

I was lucky enough to have the quads about 2 years ago and that was part of the train, the lovely lady who was in charge was nice enough to give me a quick tour of her office, and it is a cracker. The SVR has a converted Gresley pigeon van, I believe the brake half has pigeon baskets in it.