West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The reason for asking the question is because there are lots of hazards in the footplate, but the one hazard that you absolutely won’t face is being hit by an oncoming train because the driver hasn’t seen you.

In any risk situation, the important thing is to understand the actual risks you face, and then take appropriate control measures. Whereas too often, I think people (not specifically directed at you) seem to feel that wearing hi-viz is a magic way of absolving yourself of the thinking part of that process.

Tom

 

Bare chested with only a vest on the footplate, Brian?

This is Somerset, not Tyneside...

 

They are really hard up in the frozen North in Scotland, Polar Bears and everything, not like us southern softies.

 

In your dreams dear !

Joking aside, a cotton shirt would be poor protection against a mass of molten nylon. The radiated heat from the firebox can be pretty fierce under normal conditions and loose clothing can get extremely hot without the wearer realising. It is often discovered when you stand up straight and suddenly your thoughts are of chestnuts roasting by an open fire.

 

Imagine the fun! ZBs, SLR Hunslets and Garratts or indeed German 2-10-2 tanks flattening the climb out of BL with 9 or 10 bogie carriages (ok 15 or 16 in the case of the Garratt) in tow.

 

What, so that the fireman didn't hit you with the shovel?

 

Sorry but it does not seem to comply with the display of Reflective material?

 

That sounds to me like a perfect example of "risk compensation". With the new HV on, the wearers felt themselves to be more visible and so didn't look out for moving vehicles quite as carefully as before.

 

Exactly. An old driver on the WSR , for the life of me I cant remember his name, little bloke , came from Birmingham, once related to me, that he was at BL . out of season, so the only engine that end of the line , when a group of school children with teacher, all dressed in hi vis jackets, came on the platform waiting for the train that our friend was going to drive. On seeing him & his mate going about thier duties they asked "why arnt you wearing a hi vis jacket?" the driver replied , " well this is the only engine here & i'm the driver & i'm not likely to run over myself! &besides its not in keeping with the atmosphere of the place" He then asked the kids why they think they should wear hi vis . to which the answer was " well it stops you from being killed" !!

 

I am not aware of any official plan to use Pullman car 246 Lydia within the Quantock Belle consist. That's not to say that I haven't allowed myself to dream of the wonderful possibilities we could create, were it to be an option.

The car reportedly arrived on the Railway for recommissioning work to be undertaken at Williton, it's present location. There was apparently some discussion about it's possible use in traffic on the WSR but that doesn't appear to have borne fruit.

From a practical point of view I don't think being berthed at BL all year round, without covered accommodation, would be the most sensible plan for such an historic and exceptionally well presented 90-year old Pullman car. A passing glance at the QB Mk1s would confirm that immediately. Lydia had pride of place as a centrepiece exhibit in the NRM Great Hall not so long ago. The car has impeccable pedigree and provenance. It deserves to be used and enjoyed while being looked after appropriately, and that must mean under-cover stabling; something we can't provide, more's the pity. The car's WC has a retention tank, something that might be an advantage eventually but not something we can presently service.

Anyway, in my dream the QB bar facilities and store moved into Lydia's redundant kitchen and pantry areas (similar footprints) and we gained a manageable 20 premium dining seats while still operating a four car rake, RMB 1804 having reverted to it's original buffet car configuration and being used in WSR service trains.

It's nice to dream. If only the money tree would fruit accordingly.

No doubt a further official statement regarding Lydia's status will be forthcoming in due course. In the meantime please don't take a word of this as any form of official comment. It's not.

Barrie

 

How very true Bayard , I always took great care for my own safety but I must admit I did feel a whole lot better once I was dressed in yellow . You might be walking around the yard looking for a unit number or trailer number and trying to keep an eye on what was going on around you , not always easy at the end of a long day and all you wanted to do was go home . That's not how it is on a heritage railway , thank goodness but we all have to be on our toes , passengers and staff .

 

Brian

You might find that your bib and brace has shrunk in the wash or you have enjoyed too much snap at Minehead loco!!

Jeff

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #133

Washford 1961 / 2017

The shadows are lengthening for the facilities at Washford. The signal box has closed, the signalling removed and the goods facilities are closed up and devoid of traffic.

1961


2017

 

I got into a debate some years back at an airfield. They insisted that I wore a hi viz when walking across the apron. I pointed out that this was not a requirement at far busier airfields and the airfield didn't open for movements for another 20 minutes.

My parting shot was that while a hi viz would not stop anyone walking into a turning propeller, it would make finding the bits easier.

 

Having dealt with several 'persons hit by a train' I can tell you from personal experience that an orange vest would not be of significance assistance in finding the bits.

Robin

 

Ah - as someone that occasionally has to take groups of kids out (Cub Scouts) there is another reason for making them all wear hi viz - and that's so you can easily see them to count them and make sure you still have the same number you started out with. You might tell the kids its to keep them safe etc, but sometimes having them all wear something bright and easily visible has other uses. I wouldn't however do as some have been known to do and make them wear it on a walk in the country where I can be pretty sure the only kids around will be ones with me - even expecting to cross the odd road on the way isn't really enough to lumber them with it. (As an aside at one point my kids school decided that on the grounds of safety they'd use some funds they'd been given to give all the kids a hi viz yellow beanie hat with the school logo on it - obviously having just been given said item all the kids proudly wore them as they left school. It was like watching a bunch of psychedelic smurfs as they all poured out!).

 

I have been since told its owner is taking it away from the WSR.

 

Sadly for those who knew him Alan Scott, former Station Master at MD, passed away in hospital yesterday. Alan was a colleague and a friend and will be missed. RIP Alan, you did your bit.

 

Alan Scott

I have just copied this from the WSR staff website (words by John Simms)

Alan Scott died in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, on the afternoon of November 21st . He
had been taken ill overnight the day before but he was in good spirits and due to be
discharged on the 22nd . Sadly he was then victim of a major heart attack.
Alan was a Yorkshireman and before coming to Somerset he had been employed as a sheet
metal worker (discovery of which fact led Andy Forster to try to persuade Alan to work in
the shed at Minehead. Alan decided that that was a part of life which was behind him). He
also worked at Tetley’s Brewery in Leeds, where after enjoying his free beer allowance for a
while he drank cider and wine for the rest of his life. Free time was partially spent as a
Loiner, a follower of Leeds Rugby League Club.
It was after an earlier heart problem and by-pass surgery that Alan moved to Minehead
where his sister and brother in law were running Minehead Toys and Models. He joined
the Friends of Minehead Station and initially worked on Saturdays in the office with Ken
Smallridge, whilst being employed at Snazaroo. He became Stationmaster at MD when Roy
Dunglison resigned from the post.
As Stationmaster Alan led from the front. He organised a number of recruitment days for
people who specifically wanted to work at the stations and put in a lot of long hours,
especially during Gala events and on days when there were problems and delays. He took
no nonsense and expected jobs to be done by everyone on duty, including junior members
of staff but would be present when extra hours and work were needed.
After retiring from Minehead station Alan continued as a member of station staff at Blue
Anchor including manning the Steam Trust Museum at the station on Sundays in 2017.
Although proud of his origins Alan was never inclined to become a professional
Yorkshireman and he was always a generous supporter of appeals and good causes and
happy to buy his round when out and about socially. He made a major contribution to the
story of the West Somerset Railway and will be missed by those of us who knew and worked
with him.