West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Foxcote Manor is in use at K&ESR until 15 August and will then go to WSR for the Autumn https://twitter.com/Foxy7822/status/894878969186603009

 

The West Somerset Railway's Head of Mechanical Engineering has kindly provided an update on the current situation...

Just to advise where we are currently with locos and to shed some more light on our current challenges - 7820 in traffic, 53808 in traffic, 44422 now due a washout, 53809 shortly to complete washout, 6960 stopped with five broken springs, whilst waiting for these to be removed and repaired, and because the loco is going to be our 'no 1' standby engine during Flying Scotsman week, we are taking the opportunity to complete some preventative maintenance which was deferred from the winter period - by doing a valve exam (remove valves, inspect, clean up, fit new sleeves, refit). Oh and it's also due a washout now too.

7822 expected to arrive and be in traffic by 28 August, will provide much needed support to the fleet.

Rest assured the loco department is working very hard to overcome the present difficulties. It has been a challenging year for loco availability perhaps without precedent on the WSR in recent times.

Please note: It is mandatory for our locos to be washed out every 28 steaming days in order to prevent the build-up of scale and sludge, which is potentially damaging as it can reduce heat transfer and therefore cause localised heat stress. Also it is necessary to ensure an adequate frequency of boiler internal inspection. Under normal circumstances we look to balance the washouts so that there is never more than one taking place per week, but unfortunately due to various prior circumstances we have three becoming due in a two-week period (53809, 44422 and 6960). A washout normally takes between 5-7 days given our current staffing levels and allowing for the loco to be cooled down and warmed up slowly at either end of it (which is obviously much kinder on the boiler). This is also assuming nothing else is found that needs rectifying during the washout inspection.

If it hadn't been for 6960's broken springs on Sunday, we would have been able to maintain a normal three loco steam service today (7 Aug) and tomorrow (8 Aug).

 

Very much appreciated. Nothing like being open about such a situation as this to defuse it and silence the moaners.

 

Seems dear old 4160 might be greatly missed.

 

Agreed.

But it would seem to be unlikely to be heading back West while its principals' grip on reality is questionable.

Your post prompted me to look at the 4160 ltd and 'wsra hysteria' websites. The WSR world has moved on (apart from the litigation steamroller trundling towards the ex-Trustees) and I hadn't looked at these in months.

There are relatively new items on each. I quite like being called a 'ruthless reformer' but it will be seen from the 24 July item on the 4160 site that obsession still lives in a Minehead bedroom.

If you then turn to the 'wsra hysteria' site, there is the purest poppycock about 7821 being purchased by the WSR plc. Absolute and total nonsense. I should know.

No authorship is claimed for either piece but one has to be concerned about the grip on reality their authors have.....

Back to the real world.

Robin

 

Never noticed the join before, walked past many times

 

Well, I can report after my visit that the town & railway have survived.

We started on the 10.20 ex BL with the Manor. Return was the 1530 with a class 33, which made me a very happy bunny.

The afternoon MD-DD DMU shuttle has been cancelled due to the amount of engineering work needed to prepare for the Flying Scotsman visit and resultand speed restrictions

The boys (7&8) both fell fast asleep on the return trip so Minehead Beach's famous soporific powers have clearly worked

 

Many such things are obvious when someone points them out, but easy to miss until they do.

Robin

 

Manor and crompton, does life get any better

 

I was on the 1020 and did not notice you!

 

I think you might find that it was a siding into Goodlands Coal Yard in Mart Rd where I used to work

 

I also had a cracking day at the line - I was on the 12:35 ex MD. Main learning point - crikey, can Dinmore Manor make a racket! :-D


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6960 makes a good fist of waking the dead when pulling away from a stand in full gear .

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now

Minehead 1874 / 2017

So having looked at how Minehead station building has been extended over the years here is a view in through what was the entrance to the Goods Yard in 1874 and today is Minehead Loco Department.

The eternal Goods Shed on the left and the chimneys are the points of reference.

1874


2017

 

Page 7 of 'The Times' today.

No parallels with WSRA events, there then....

Robin

 

The juxtaposition of the jogger under the bus story and the in-fighting at Imperial War Museum cannot be an accident. Classic journalism.

 

Yes, do beware of Murdoch rags.

Paul H

 

I also traveled yesterday and I have to say the PW slacks were quite extensive and an hour and 40 mins for a journey and much very sub 10mph running is not good. Quite a bit of "not again" from some customers - though probably a good thing from the screamer family.

Personally the cancellation of the DMU gave me an unexpected extended but most enjoyable stay at Washford. However, the cancellation should have been made clearer.






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Mr and Mrs public and children can be hard work sometimes.

On a recent signalling turn the station staff asked me if I would allow a box visit. It was a quiet spell between trains so fine,

Except that mother stood in the corner with a babe in arms screaming its head off for the whole 10 minute visit, only occasionally pausing for breath, and the 9 year old daughter asked a series of questions, never waiting for more than 3 words of an answer before asking the next.....

I NEEDED the next cup of coffee when they left. But they did look like they were enjoying themselves....

Robin

 

Yet you do get the other sort. A bunch of small boys intrigued by the workings of a "regulator" clock with it's deadbeat escapement and Harrison's maintaining power are an example. The unpredictability of exactly who will turn up is the great joy.

Paul H