West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I am indebted to Robin for putting me on the trail of an unknown part of my Yorkshire heritage.

http://www.treacleminer.com/Mines/Pudsey.html

 

I've heard that too. I think it's something that happens 'eventually' & probably only on a long, steady run.
Has it been seen on the WSR?

 

Then again, unless the wheel tyre thicknesses are the same (and new and old can vary by a few inches) it doesn't seem likely to happen very often.

 

That used to be a claim made about Beyer-Garratts, but I've never read a definitive answer as to whether it's true.

At least the cylinders sharing a common exhaust can be used to justify it on a Garratt; not sure how one engine of a class can know much about how another is working though; perhaps it's something sub-conscious that happens to their drivers

 

So how's your septic tank then?

(The start of any conversation between true country dwellers)

 

The two engine units don't synchronize. On the older Garratts with a softer exhaust beat, the rear unit was dissipated by the long exhaust steam pipe from the cylinders to the chimney. I'm sure there is more on this in the book by Dusty Durrant on Garratt locos.
There are recordings around of more modern Garratts with the two engine units drifting in and out of phase. Or listen to the NGG16's on the Welsh Highland.

Cheers, Neil

 

Donald Trump?

 

Andy, that is what is called a good question. You are the third person to ask me that in the past week.

I enjoy keeping folk informed, and am told that some folk think I have an eye for a photograph. Others would be a better judge of that. I always have my mobile phone with me and the cameras get better all the time.

The winter before last I posted a series of photos from Williton footbridge (kept open as a public right of way while the crossing was renewed) to show the progress of the work.

Last winter I had intended to do the same with the Minehead relay and the Williton resignalling. After I had posted a few photographs, I was asked by the Infrastructure Manager not to continue, even with photographs taken from public ground.

He is the man in charge and his wishes must be respected. I don’t understand his reasoning, especially on a Railway that lives by the volunteers it generates and the distant supporters who can be enthused by seeing what is being done. Perhaps he has another method to achieve this. Thought transference, perhaps. Or perhaps he doesn’t think informing supporters and enthusing volunteers is important. I couldn’t say.

Like all volunteers, I am able to make choices, and my choice has been to stay away from Infrastructure activities. The fact that, when I worked in Kent and Sussex I acted as operating supervisor for the Rail movements on around 50 weekends of Engineering works and I held a crane slinger’s and ‘load examined’ tickets means I have skills and experience that might have been of use.

Funny folk, we volunteers.

If it’s warm enough, I’ll be doing some painting and signwriting at Stogumber Station tomorrow.

Robin

 

I see the Space in the Swindon shed which was taken up by Lydia which has left the WSR and going to the K&ESR ? has now been mostly filled up with the Hawksworth engineer's Inspection Saloon Q13 80976 most likely for winter maintenance. It is a shame the Pullman has left the railway but the 9 months it was on the railway it looked that it was never worked on when on the railway.

 

You are all wrong , the original treacle mines are in Tadley , Hampshire .

 

In what way? I was near Crowcombe station and one of the trains really struggled into CH and sounded very odd.

 

First train with one of the 7Fs left BL on time, and passed CH and BA on time. Second train with the Hall left on time but never showed at CH. Eventually (after half an hour maybe?) The other 7F at the head of the third train waiting to leave BL departed light engine to give the second train a shove. That train then stopped at CH with much faffing around, couldn't see what happened next as it was dark, but the second train was top and tailed at least as far as Dunster. The third train meanwhile eventually departed over an hour late with a diesel at the front. I spotted one of the 7Fs arrive light engine at Minehead, but I totally lost track of what's happening - I haven't been glued to them for the *entire* evening! I saw a 7F depart with train from BL about an hour ago but lost it somewhere after CH - these webcams are great fun!

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

Ah!

Which explains why, driving home I passed the second train moving slowly over Watersmeet Br and I thought I would try an ‘at dusk’ shot of the train crossing Combe Florey but after 10 mins the train hadn’t appeared...

So I guess that ties down the location of the failure.

Robin

 

6960 slipped to a stand between Eastcombe and Combe Florey. 53808 in to assist - left on the back through to Minehead as a 33 driver was available to start it for the 7Fs train which saved time.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #144

Minehead 1976 / 2017

The side entrance to the loco Department as seen on opening day and today. The road formation is pretty much the only clue to tie the two together.

Dunster isn’t the only location where the WSR ought, IMHO to give thought to long term land useage. With opportunities like Williton and Norton, is Minehead Sea front, which has many commercial possibilities, the right place for an engineering centre?

Copyright Baz Juniper / Robin White

1976


2017

 

My understanding in September is that FS encountered a Rail head contaminated with oil, apparently from over enthusiastic side oiling of newly changed rails.

So the LNER / GWR debate is otiose. Let’s just hope the contamination isn’t back.

Robin

 

Conditions were poor all over the place last night with fine drizzle coming and going. Nothing to do with that location specifically. 53808 struggled for grip on Washford coming back from Minehead later. It was particularly bad when 6960 set off from BL. One of those things - but the Railway did well to deal with it.

 

Sadly, it could be some gricer up to no good. I have known this sort of thing to happen.

PH

 

And when my wife and I travelled on it from Bridgnorth it was hauled by Taw Valley

 

I can attest to the fine drizzle as I waited (in vain) at Combe Florey.

Robin