West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Institute of Railway Operators - operations Experience Course at West Somerset Railway

Members of the South West Section attended an experience course run by the West Somerset Railway today focussed on train operations. Activities included shunting and coupling of BR Mark 1 Coaches, train preparation and despatch.

Robin Moira White

IRO Members with special train at Crowcombe Heathfield


Lifting a buckeye coupling


Connecting BR Mark 1 coaches


Shunting


The missing link?


Train preparation


Right away! (1)



Right away! (2)


Member receiving instruction from Paul Fleet MIRO

 

West Somerset Railway - Then, then and Now #101

Leigh Bridge Loop 1934 / 1973 / 2017

The second of Bob Prance's photos from 1973 takes us back to Leigh Loop between Crowcombe and Stogumber which featured earlier in the series. The 1972 shot reveals the distant signal protecting Leigh level crossing behind the photographer. Perhaps it was just out of shot in the 1934 view or perhaps when renewed as a BR(W) tubular post it had been repositioned.

I love this location for the sweeping curves. A wonderful secluded rural spot to watch the train snaking through the reverse curves.

Copyright Brunel University / Robert Prance / Robin White

1934


1973


2017

 

And the drift mine in S. Wales , I do believe it's what fuels the WSR .

 

Nothing new about stop , look , listen . They were about in Watchet in the early 60s but obviously not new and shiny .

 

I used to live in Foxcote Colliery Cottages near Radstock , often seen on the coal tip picking coal , possibly more stone than coal , " we wuz poor but 'appy " also alert for all the missiles flying out of the fire place , holy rugs .

 

It looks like the new BA camera is being affected by the wind? The picture is very shaky at the moment, so it might need to be fixed more securely. Anyone else notice this?

 

The Catch points seem to have been very mobile.
First throwing off one way then the other.

 

Please see the diagram below.

You need to be aware that the gradient is unrelenting and significant from Williton up to Crowcombe. That is, down in the direction the photographer is looking.

The left hand line is the reversible line, in use for all trains when the box is switched out. The right hand loop line only came into use for passing trains, so Spring points could only be provided in the right hand line.

The set of trap points, slightly further away, are worked from the box and have a facing point lock as can be seen from the coupling Board provided to protect it. Their function was to prevent an up train signalled into the loop meeting an incoming Down train if it overran.

The nearer set of spring catch points, just beyond the crossing of the turnout are just that, sprung with no FPL and will normally be run through in the trailing direction by a departing up train. The turnout would then be left set for the loop until 'train out of section' was received from Crowcombe. Exactly as we do at Blue Anchor with the set of spring catches in the up loop there. These would come into play if a vehicle became detached from that up train and ran away back down the gradient towards Leigh.

Simples.

Can we get on with building the box, please?

(Diagram below from Ian Coleby's line history)

Robin

 

I noticed it yesterday, although the canopy is absolutely rock solid in average conditions it probably has a tremor with these strong gusts which is exaggerated in the lens of the camera?

 

I believe the webcam folks have been advised.

Steve

 

What is the construction protruding from the hedge by the signal in the 1973 picture?

 

The selection of 9 & 10 looks very unusual and not something I have seen before. Was that due to a small frame/not enough levers ?

 

On reflection, it might actually make sense. When the gate is closed the sign on it tells you not to pass it. When the gate is fully opened, lying close to the fence, that sign is inconspicuous and the instruction to take care is relevant. The only question then is why in the picture the gate was half open.

 

Were points 4 and 5 motor worked? They don't appear to have separate FPL lever numbers.

 

No.

They had a mechanical FPL worked from the same lever - an economiser lock.

Robin

 

Looks like a combine harvester in the field beyond ??

 

There is a former GWR branch line in Wales that is embracing its heritage, and actively replacing the old BR and modern signage.

https://www.facebook.com/rheidolrailway/posts/1897374650278217

Surely the WSR could take a leaf out of their book? Indeed, the whole presentation and ambience of the VoR has been greatly enhanced over the last few years, which has won it awards and plaudits, and it should be stand-out example to the rest of the preservation movement as to what can be done when the desire is there.

 

Your last 5 words say it all.

Robin

 

I think that's a shame - I was very pleased to see, when I went up to Devil's Bridge a few years ago, that there was still at least one Rail Alphabet sign visible. To get rid of all the 1964-1988 signage because it doesn't fit some preconceived notion of what the VoR's heritage should be, amounts to destroying the line's genuine heritage.

 

40 years today since the very first public train ran MD-BL. I'm a little surprised this landmark date passed apparently unnoticed.

We discussed it aboard the QB at least.

http://cgibin.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/snap.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2013/10/231013_06