West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I have just looked at the timetable for the bus, every 30 mins starting very early in the morning. Yes, it isn't the fastest but for a rural area its very good. Certainly most country areas would kill for a service like that

Now what about the BL-MD Motor Rail?

 

(Looks closely at large size photo) So it is.

 

West Somerset Railway / Then, then and Now #121

1936 / 2007 / 2017

In the first shot horseboxes abound, having brought polo ponies to Dunster. The wooden section of platform is to be noted.

In 2007 the loco is carrying out a shunting demonstration which was a popular feature of WSR Gaka events for some time.

In the 2017 shot the Infrastructure Department now have other uses for Dunster's heritage.

Copyright P Barnfield / T Heavyside / Robin White.

1936


2007


2017

 

There is a tank/reservoir under the horse boxes. What are they for?

 

Recycling in its truest form .

 

The boxes included a compartment for a groom. I would guess that they would be gas lit?

Robin

 

... as opposed to ponopolies...

Tom (and his pony Jack)

 

Huh?

 

Surprised I have to point out literary references to you Robin! It’s Hilaire Belloc -

Jack and his pony Tom

Jack had a little pony — Tom;
He frequently would take it from
The stable where it used to stand
And give it sugar with his hand.
He also gave it oats and hay
And carrots twenty times a day
And grass in basketfuls, and greens,
And swedes and mangolds also beans
And patent foods from various sources
And bread (which isn't good for horses)
And chocolate and apple-rings
And lots and lots of other things
The most of which do not agree
With Polo Ponies such as he.
And all in such a quantity
As ruined his digestion wholly
And turned him from a Ponopoly
— I mean a Polo Pony — into
A case that clearly must be seen to.
Because he swelled and swelled and swelled.
Which, when the kindly boy beheld,
He gave him medicine by the pail
And malted milk, and nutmeg ale,
And yet it only swelled the more
Until its stomach touched the floor,
And then it heaved and groaned as well
And staggered, till at last it fell
And found it could not rise again.
Jack wept and prayed — but all in vain.
The pony died, and as it died
Kicked him severely in the side.

MORAL

Kindness to animals should be
Attuned to their brutality.

Tom and his Pony, Jack

Tom had a little pony, Jack :
He vaulted lightly on its back
And galloped off for miles and miles,
A-leaping hedges, gates and stiles,
And shouting " Yoicks ! " and " Tally-Ho ! "
And "Heads I win!" and "Tails below!"
And many another sporting phrase.
He rode like this for several days,
Until the pony, feeling tired,
Collapsed, looked heavenward and expired.
His father made a fearful row.
He said " By Gum, you've done it now !
Here lies — a carcase on the ground —
No less than five and twenty pound !
Indeed the value of the beast
Would probably have much increased.
His teeth were false ; and all were told
That he was only four years old.
Oh ! Curse it all ! I tell you plain
I'll never let you ride again."

MORAL

His father died when he was twenty
And left: three horses, which is plenty.

 

Another piece of Hilaire Belloc which ought to appeal to a lawyer concerns someone who was run over by a tandem and a car:-

"The damages he gained from these
maintained his life in cultured ease"

Paul H

 

Always happy to learn.

Robin

 

Our new electronic typewriter has developed a minor fault and it's been typing Os instead of Es.

Hor Majosty tho Quoon was at Homol Hompstoad today to unvoil a momorial to sovoral groat Onglish mon of lottors.....and poots....including Anthony Trollopo, H.G. Wolls and Hilairo Bolloc.

(Two Ronnies)

 

Wish I could 'Super Like' this comment - it is both so true and yet so many involved in raising funds don't accept it!

 

Up to a point Lord Bean-counter.

Paul H

 

That must be correct and yet one would expect the "parent" railway to exercise some sort of control over who is fund raising and how if on railway premises. Some railway journeys can be a bit irritating with random people coming along the trains asking for contributions for their pet project. In your NYMR experience, were groups allocated particular days when they could make these appeals? Did you consider having periodic "community chest" fund raising days for projects which agree to come under that umbrella rather than do their own thing?

 

I

I used to be very irritated when on almost every train for 4 days during a gala, I was accosted by RNLI collectors or WSRA selling draw tickets. Members of the public pay for an enjoyable day on the railway, and should not expect to be raided by "chuggers" (Charity Muggers). I'm glad it has been stopped.
Robin L.

 

deleted My note failed to upload.

 

We have a recent example in Somerset. The Minehead Box plate. I can say, having communicated with the donors, that little or none of the funds given for thatbwould have been available for loco restoration or track repairs.

I have no doubt that the funds to create a stunning, educational, time warp 'Dunster Goods' destination would not be a chore to raise and would not negatively impact on other fund raising. Rather, they would help create a positive environment for such efforts.

Robin

 

Commercial developers often find that assisting local amenity groups, such as a playgroup, hospice, museum or preserved railway, can really help their standing with the local community and sometimes assist with planning applications, etc. Developers have been known to make surplus materials or even small parcels of land available for free or at a discount. Devices like 99 year leases and peppercorn rents can play their part. They need to be approached in the right way and at the right time. It sounds like something of the sort happened at BL and I don't see why the old paper mill site would be significantly different? On the other hand, it may be that the owners of swanky new houses might not want a scruffy and sometimes rather noisy P-Way yard at the bottom of their gardens ;-)

 

Two year's careful work with developer, landowner and local authorities produced a deal giving substantial value to the Railway. The potential of that has yet to be significantly exploited, which is something of a tragedy.

Those skills are available to the Railway, should the choice be made pick them up again.

Robin