West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I have very strong memories of the first summer 3205 appeared on the line - I was regularly guard. We had timings worked out for the Bagnall locos, which struggled up the bank to Crowcombe in either direction. In comparison, 3205 flew up, and my task when we arrived was to hold up as many fingers as was necessary to indicate to driver 'snake eyes' David Rouse how long we had to wait for 'time'. It never required only one hand and we spent the time yarning on the grass bank by the loco. I am sure there must have been rain that summer, but I can't remember any.....

Robin

 

Nigel
I am happy to consider 6695 as part of the WSR home fleet which would of course bring the WSR home fleet to 8
WSRplc locos - 9351, Odney Manor and 4110, WSRA locos 4561 and 7821 and long term hire locos 88, 44442 and 6695

As noted only 2 of the above are currently out working 88 and 44442.

It must also be noted that the locomotive that is most advanced regarding overhaul is 6695 however is in need of funding to complete the boilerwork and overhaul and with a modest amount cash could be ready to start its 25 years on the WSR

Sorry Nigel if you thought I was being pedantic.

Jeff

 

The real issue for railways is that going forward, the "why have your own locomotives which cost real money to purchase and keep running when you can hire in motive power, pay as little as you can in hire rates and hand it back together with the mounting repair costs to the owners at the end of the hire period, the loco owners will fund the shortfall (because they are good at fund raising and like doing it!) which in effect subsidizers the hiring railways" approach is rather flawed.

It only requires a shortage of hireable locomotives to cause the locomotive owning groups to realise that the hire rate needs to be greater and suddenly the assumption that cheap hire locos will always be available evaporates.

That some locomotive groups are making their locomotives available on long term agreements as 88, 44422 and 6695 on the WSR takes these engines out of the hire pool and may be the way forward for some loco groups with encourages others to do likewise and so on.

Thus the assumption that it will be cheaper to hire in motive power as in the past may not hold good for the future.

The WSR is well set up for a core home fleet, just needs to get on top of the overhaul queue.

Jeff

 

S160 6046 is joining the WSR fleet for all of 2018 courtesy of Batt Holden Limited and the Churnet Valley Railway.

http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm#1202

 

Do WSR shareholders get travel privileges. SVR shareholders get free travel passes according to the share holding they have. The really well heeled with large holdings get gold first class pass. Whilst not a dividend it is recompense in kind for said shareholding. My problem is that I seldom get to use them as I am usually on duty when free

 

Yes - there are two types of free passes depending on the shareholding; a silver pass allows the shareholder and one other free travel on any scheduled train (including galas, but not the QB or other dining trains), a gold pass gives the same benefit for the shareholder and three others. The silver pass shareholding used to cost £1000 (it may still) but I can't remember without looking up the amount required for a gold pass.

 

http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/shareholders

 

As a Dartmouth line Forum Member has reported on this Forum that there will be a USATC S160 on their line next year. Visitors to the South West should get a chance to ride behind them both f they plan well. I am sure comparisons will be made but of course the Dartmouth line and the Minehead line are quite dissimilar.

 

Both 2253 and 6046 are good machines, well up to the job. I prefer 2253 of the two and I'm sure that Pete Best will have done a first class job of its overhaul. 6046 was a tad too unreliable when on the NYMR so let's hope that all the niggles have now been sorted.
The TSR seems to be making a habit of picking up ex NYMR locos. First 4277 then 75014 and now 2253.

 

To outsiders it was perhaps puzzling NYMR deemed 2253 not part of its strategy to become largely self-sufficient for motive power?

 

Puzzling to me, too but you can probably put it down to politics, personalities and preferences. 2253 was always one of my favourites. There's always a chance that it will return, some day.

 

The 3Ps most organisations suffer from!
Would an S160 be suited to the Whitby line, assuming certified? I have an idea they are comparatively compact in coupled wheelbase.

 

AFAIK they ran to Whitby during the war and the curves have been eased slightly since then. It has been suggested that 2253 may have actually run over the line during that time.

 

When do we find out the named loco for Scotsman visit?

Is there no other trains during that week?

 

No official statement yet on the "other" loco. There are other trains on the special FS days. See official website or wsr.org.uk (latter only just updated following your question This "fast follower" is sometimes showing his age )

Steve

 

S160 15'6", WD 2-8-0 16'3", 8F 17'3"

 

I spotted the timetable a couple of days ago, Steve. There doesn't seem to be much time to cross from the incoming FS train at BL and get onto the next train to Md. Incidentally, is that train of 7 coaches or is it longer to cope with demand?

 

Remember the six Ps!

 

I thought it was seven - one being a bit rude...

 

Perfect Planning Prevents P*** Poor Performance. I make that 6!