West Somerset Railway General Discussion

France regarded Algeria as a province of France, not a foreign country, so in a sense, the photo was 'in France'. Charles de Gaulle was never forgiven by some of the French 'right' for giving it up.

For a period in the 50's and 60's the French Army was clothed and equipped with cast off or copied US equipment almost exclusively.

Robin (partly French!)

 

Your armour-plating doesn't look very bullet-proof, Robin.

 

What time does the 33 leave MD after it drops off heritage train please. Is it after the 47 on dmu service, where does it cross with steam train from BL? Thanks.

 

Given what this vehicle is adapted for, an NBC suit might be of more use....

Robin

 

In this weather!

 

I've never understood why they feel they should treat once loyal visitors as cash cows with poorly planned events and the like
Then again all that extra money i've not spent on the railway is burning a hole in my pocket which is nice.

 

Is there a role that a Land Rover Defender can't be adapted to do ?

 

Always nice to have a little positive thinking on this site.

 

Please refer to post 5567 .

I'd like to think the WSR provides themes for galas that the customers want , they would be fools not to . I do think I read somewhere the SDJR themed Gala was a storming success , so a cash cow and plenty of happy customers .

Paul . K

 

You are, of course, entitled to your own opinion. But I've been to every spring & autumn gala since 2002 (excluding autumn 2003,4&6) and enjoyed every one of them (even the ones where it rained every day!). If I thought the galas were poorly planned or that I was just being treated as a cash cow I wouldn't go.
I regard the WSR galas as one of the highlights of the year and the gala dates go in my diary as soon as they are announced.

 

This is just one of the many trolls who like to hang about here. Ignore them and they're go away.

 

West Somerset Railway
7 hrs ·
One of our fabulous heritage diesels will be hauling the 11.05 Bishops Lydeard service tomorrow - we are very sorry for the change of plan.

This afternoon 7820 on 1630 MD-BL, 6960 on 1630 BL-MD with D6575 vice DMU.
So expect the 33 on 1105 BL-MD Tuesday vice steam.

 

Does D1661 ever get used on diesel experience days? Thanks

 

No. The 33 is preferred because it is 'dual-controlled', ie. 2 driving positions in each cab so the instructor can take over quickly if necessary.

 

What does the "7 hrs" mean?
There seems to be a lot of problems with the steam locos at the moment. Is it the same problems recurring? Can anything be done to improve their reliability?

 

I've just seen 53808 on the webcam come off shed and attach to the 1530 MD - BL, which means its broken spring has been repaired. 44422 has been out of service well over a week, also with a broken spring, but apparently there are no spares. Does anyone know why springs tend to break? It's not due to poor track, as generally the WSR track is not rough in any places, nor is it overloading of tenders as they are usually filled with enough coal for just a day with a some to spare.

 

I suspect it is just one of those things. However well maintained old equipment will fail fro time to time.

 

Hi Ian. I think I’m right in saying you will find it was 89 stopped with a broken spring not 88, as you say springs for 7F’s are a stock item at Minehead as they usually are for all of the home fleet. There will be better experts than me on here but you would be surprised how often springs break, they take a lot of punishment and the wear rate is high even on good track. From what I’ve seen breakages are common enough for visiting engines usually to carry spare springs when away from their home base, Dinmore Manor for example has 2 spare springs hidden on top of its tender bolted behind the coal space.

It’s an inspection item on exams so usually they are spotted and fixed during routine maintenance and changed periodically so you don’t get to hear about it, for example 9351 as a part of its rebuild is having all new ones rather than risk worn ones going back on. I think its just unlucky that two engines had them go in the same period and we didn’t have spares for the 4F which meant it had to wait until workshop space would allow it to be taken off and sent away (it means the engine can’t be moved with them off so would block the road it stands on and you need a pit, hence it needed to go in the running shed at MD to be out of the way).

 

Why do springs break is one of those questions that are simple to ask and difficult to answer! One bad joint could be enough, and that could be on one of the depots rather than the running line. Questions have been asked in similar circumstances in the past about repair practices and materials used by the repairers, with some owners opting to buy complete new sets of springs rather than continue with repairs to existing ones, and certainly to some shopping around for repairs.

What is certain is that s decent stock of spares and a wheel drop to aid changing a broken spring are both essential for efficient, reliable operation. Some shed teams seem to reach 'Formula One Pit-stop' standards for speed of spring changes!

Steven

 

7 hours since it was posted on their Facebook account. It was actually 1158 yesterday.