West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Spookily, I have a similar 'figment' of my imagination - and, indeed, the West Somerset would be a rare organisation if it were not at least to some extent the case!

Steven

 

Be fair, the West Somerset recreates something from the same county, which at least puts it well ahead of most preserved railways (there are exceptions, especially GWR ones, so perhaps the West Somerset doesn't need to be another one!)

Steven

 

RAOTFLOLPMP!

 

???

 

Taught us to spell correctly when writing graffiti..... (see below)

(If you are wondering what on Earth the last few posts are about - you are not a Monty Python fan...)

 

It has to be said that the WSR is also now the spiritual home of the S&D as well as a GWR branchline and we should embrace that. The S&D Trust are there and its near location to the Mendips as well as the locos ensure that the S&D has a stronger presence on the WSR than anywhere else currently (not to take anything away from the two preservation centres on the S&D itself). In my opinion the WSR is all the better for that, more variety, more interest and a wider audience has to be a good thing. I don’t think that the GWR aspect is suffering as both complement each other as it doesn’t have to be one or the other we are large enough to do both and of course the S&D became WR anyway !!!!!

It also has to be said that loco availability has played a part this year but don’t worry in the fullness of time 9351 & 7828 will be back in traffic to support 6960 plus later on the return of 4936 & 6695. The King will be finished at some stage and it would be great to think that Thornbury Castle could be based there between mainline runs and of course there is 4110, 4561 & Ditcheat Manor. I personally would also love to see 3850 return but that’s of course down to the owning group. Plus of course we should not forget the fine collection of Diesels including WR Hydraulics. I don’t ever see the WSR turning its back on the GWR but just seeing Panniers and Prairies as per the old days doesn’t give the variety the line deserves, the WSR is so much more today with the ability to cater for many tastes without losing its identity.

 

Andy
You have overlooked the prospect that the WSRA shares of 4160 will be returned to the WSRA thus raising the prospect of the locos return to WSR metals

Jeff

 

Absolutely spot on. The WSR benefits not only from the S&D locos but the beautifully presented station at Washford. The display of restored goods wagons and Kilmersdon are a delight to see. The recent addition of three other locos adds to the attraction. Long may they continue. The S&D folk are lucky to have a place that many other extinct lines supporters must envy.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #99

Bishops Lydeard 1979 / 2017

Motive power in the Down Platform. A Bagnall and no signalling, then.

Full signalling and a Manor, now.

1979


2017

 

That's a very nice photo of Foxcote Manor.

 

Thanks - these aren't bad either.

Not that I'm much of a one for taking Loco pics.

Robin

 

I never cease to be amazed at the quality of Robin's pictures taken on her IPhone. They put many of the shots probably taken with expensive dedicated cameras to shame.

 

Yes. I don't understand why the barriers need to be in a "highvis" colour. It's not like someone traveling at walking pace is going to fail to see say, a white or cream one???

Some of the images of stations on the WSR I have seen are an absolute treat to the eyes and a huge credit to the people who have made them so. Creating a slice of a bygone era for people to enjoy is nothing to be sneezed at. The issue of incorrect signage etc, while may be seen as trivial by some, or not worth the bother because the average punter knows no different, really does miss the point. An eyesore at worst, a detraction at best.

 

My understanding is that in the early years of Preservation the S&D Trust, and 88 (53808) were very much to the forefront. The suggestion of years past that they should vacate Washford I am pleased is exactly that, an idea of the past.

The word that always appears to bump up against Restoration is authenticity. The difficulties I perceive on the WSR are more in the area of rolling stock rather than infrastructure despite the current signage debate.

An authentic rolling stock for the Minehead branch 1950s style would include locos 45xx/55xx 2-6-2 tanks, with 43xx 2-6-0s and 41xx/51xx 2-6-2 tanks at peak periods and on the through summer workings from the Midlands and London. Occasional visitors were 22xx 0-6-0s and 57xx 'panniers'. Coaching stock would have been ex GWR, (Collett and Hawksworth), non corridor on the locals and corridor on the through workings including portions detached at Taunton. Later there were BR 82xxx 2-6-2 tanks.

How do we measure up. The simple answer is we do our best, compatible with what is available (there are only two 43xx 2-6-0s available, 5322 & 7325 and one 23xx 0-6-0 3205) ie small and large 'prairies' (Jeff is absolutely right, we should do our utmost to have 4160 back, not least because IMHO it is the best loco 'pound for £' that has worked over the line.) and commercial pressures, (we should be aiming for >230K pax if we are to maintain our trackwork etc) hence 6960 etc.

Regarding the S&D presence: Others have noted, here and elsewhere, that photos from a distance of trains on the WSR with the Quantocks in the background are reminiscent of the S&D through the Mendips. The S&D presence has led to three very successful Galas (1996, 2006, 2016)

It probably does not need saying but the S&D offers in rolling stock terms a far broader brush, even allowing for Classes (eg MIdland 2P 4-4-0s) that have not survived into Preservation, than the Minehead branch. Wrt locos for instance ex LMS, 4F,7F & 8F, 5MT 2-6-0s (Hughes & Ivatt), 5MT 4-6-0s (Stanier), 2MT 2-6-2 tanks (Ivatt), 0-6-0 tank (Jinty) and even a Sentinel ( a nice thought for Washford in the future ?) Then ex SR WC/BB 4-6-2s (original and rebuilt), T9 4-4-0 and occasionally U & N 2-6-0s and ex BR Classes, 73xxx, 75xxx, 76xxx and 80xxx ( shortly 82045 will be available).

One item of S&D I remember with affection was the wonderful ornate cast iron shelter ( if that's not too grand a word for a surround ) redolent of rural France that offered a limited protection for those partaking of the urinals on the northbound platform at Evercreech Junctuon. I remember a last (John Betjeman in mind and his then unfashionable championship of Victoriana) visit whilst stopping on the 2/1/66 final train (except it wasn't due to a three month stay of execution)

Said urinals were at the time a reminder to me of cycling to the Mediterranean in 1958 and the sight of such conveniences in most small rural villages and particularly one proudly positioned against the West end of the Abbey church at Tournus. Would not a similar ornate cast iron structure bring a further ambiance to Washford ? -

End of ramble. The S&D presence I believe brings an added dimension to the WSR, long may it continue.

Michael Rowe

 

The quality of technology today astounds me.

I am priviledged to be about the Railway a fair bit and so have multiple opportunities to be 'in the right place at the right time'. And, of course, my I-phone is always with me.

Robin

 

Sadly we are where we are and it seems that we are more S&D (some would say Midland) than we are GWR at the moment. We can only hope that this trend reverses at some point in the future. Having said that both 44422 and 53808 have found a soft spot with many crews. Despite 44422 picking her feet up on a slippery railhead as we left BL on my last turn(Problem solved by a bit of hand sanding.) I still like the old girl and she is very free steaming and willing, if a little bit rattly and clanky at the moment. I think I've got her again next week. 53808 (still 88 to most of us). is another long term member of the fleet and a good strong engine. I've had the "pleasure" of firing her with a charter of 12 (I think) on the back from NF to MD and back to BL. She took it all in her stride without a problem.

 

Mike

Not sure you will get 44222 next week. I believe that the state of the old girl's undergarments has caught up with her and she is limited to 4 coaches until some winter work...

Robin

 

88 will also be very acceptable as will Foxcote or Raveningham. But It'll be whatever it'll be on the day and we'll do our best to run to timetable.
I wondered if the poor old "Duck 6" (I put that in for the gricers) would make it to the end of next week. She does need a lot of bottom end work over the winter. In some ways all the more impressive that she soldered on as long as she did. Little wonder that the Midland Operations department liked the class so much.

 

[QUOTE="Maunsell907, post: 1959482, member: 21887"

An authentic rolling stock for the Minehead branch 1950s style would include locos 45xx/55xx 2-6-2 tanks, with 43xx 2-6-0s and 41xx/51xx 2-6-2 tanks at peak periods and on the through summer workings from the Midlands and London. Occasional visitors were 22xx 0-6-0s and 57xx 'panniers'. Coaching stock would have been ex GWR, (Collett and Hawksworth), non corridor on the locals and corridor on the through workings including portions detached at Taunton. Later there were BR 82xxx 2-6-2 tanks. Michael RoweQUOTE]

To pick up on that point, as well as my comments in post #7746 it would be nice to see the ability to run an authentic truly Minehead branch train with Pannier/Prairie/Mogul plus ex-GWR coaches as well as the ability as we currently do to have a double-headed Pines Express. Am I right in saying that there are GWR coaches on the railway tucked away ? Of course 4561 would be great for that and dare I mention 9351 (runs for authentic cover ?).