West Somerset Railway General Discussion

That View - Dusky Diner

7F 53808 heads south past Stogumber with the last trip of the set including dining cars ‘Jupiter’ and ‘Orion’ yesterday.

 

Nice.

I really must convince someone to build a heritage railway line through my bottom paddock....

 

Thanks for this post, it is great to read this type of issue being raised. I can of course only speak as a humble volunteer fireman by my view is as follows. Really sorry you didn't get the best service you deserve as a paying customer and its important that everybody on the WSR has feedback to make things better. I think this is a great post to see as I can recall a time immediately post ex6 when the QB was not the attraction it should be and there was an opinion that the QB should be scrapped and sold off because it was not paying its way. Common sense prevailed and here we are today with positive feedback asking for more capacity, in my opinion its a success story and an example of additional revenue and happier (if of course you can get a breakfast) customers. The railway now needs to build on this and take the 'product' to wherever it needs to go to ensure every customer is happy and of course allow you enjoy a great breakfast.

Of course it goes without saying that QB Steward and the team supported by the Association need the highest praise for making this happen. Going forward we all on the WSR need to allow this level of passion and enthusiasm to prevail as this demonstrates what can be achieved when people are empowered and included.

 

Thanks

I’m off to check the quality of the breakfast on the 09:59 departure this morning. My Long service award pass comes in handy. Next year will be my 39th year as a heritage railway volunteer. If the next 39 years are as much fun as the previous have been, and we get back to making forward progress instead of trying to ape the old East Bloc then the Railway will continue to be a great place.

Robin

 

This might be fine for those who can manage to arrive by 0745 however this would involve us leaving home by 0515 and is unachievable for those travelling by public transport. The first come only served disadvantage those travelling to the railway from a distance and in the most need of a meal.

I've travelled on 8 preserved railways this year and the WSR was unique in not providing a breakfast on arrival as well as a meal during the day. I used to love having Sunday lunch in the carriage at Minehead station when I lived in Somerset but even that is gone without replacement.

Whilst we prefer the WSR we're more likely to visit the GWSR as we know we'll get a decent meal during the day.

 

Will Mr Dylan be making an appearance today?
Just been looking at the latest weather storm name. DYLAN

 

(This is prompted by Robin's latest photo, showing the 7F running tender first.)

I understand that the idea of routinely turning locos on the triangle on each trip has been ruled out because it would use too much time. All the same, it seems to me a great pity. It means that all the work of installing the triangle, and the turntable at the other end, has provided minimal benefit for routine WSR operations (however much the triangle may be used by operators from the big railway). It also means that tender engines spend half their time running backwards, which is to the detriment of loco crews and definitely not prototypical. Meanwhile tank engines, which don't need to be turned, have too little power and/or water capacity to be used much on the WSR.

 

Barrie, I'm sorry you got all that flak over an excellent breakfast. I would like to point out that the end results can only be achieved with the tools you are given. Thank you & your assistants again.

DJB.

 

Just because there was a reluctance to photograph locos working tender first back in the day it does not mean that it rarely happened. In fact the S&D 7Fs spent probably 40% of their daily lives running tender first, it is just that you do not see many photos of them like this. What was far less prototypical, as you call it, was their use on everyday passenger trains. Any loco crew who feels that tender first running is a detriment is I would suggest in the wrong "job".

Peter James

 

If you look at a historical loco diagram you can work out how much time would have been spent running tender first. Like today, photographers didn't like it!

From memory, the Corstorphine branch regularly saw Gresley A3 locos running tender first on short passenger trains; that might be an exceptional case though.

 

The weather outside is frightful...

But Breakfast on the QB is very popular, tasty and good value.

 

Great pics - thanks for posting. The dining car with the separate chairs brings back happy and half-forgotten memories of good meals in the 60's and 70's on BR trains like the Royal Highlander and the Emerald Isle Express, and many more....

Great we can enjoy it on the WSR now!

 

Many thanks for posting this comprehensive response - much appreciated, particularly when you are having an extremely busy 2 days.

Sounds like you are well aware of the issues, and the QB has a great future in your hands. I wish you every success.

 

Read the same book myself over xmas! Want to know how it ends???!!!

 

Too many amateur detectives here. Yes, I want to know how it ends, but only by reading it for myself...

Robin

 

The menu looks very tempting, well done Barrie and team.

 

You are not entirely correct. The problem of needing to arrive very early for QB breakfasts is being addressed. Hot food is available in the station buffet and is usually supplemented during spring and summer galas by an outside catering van. At Minehead the Turnrable cafe also provides hot food all day with breakfasts until around 1100.

 

The OP stated, incorrectly, that the old arrangements at Minehead had not been replaced which was incorrect. I accept that the arrangements at BL and MH are not as lavish as some elsewhere.

 

Time to rename this thread - WSR Complaints and Moans

Always best to contact the Railway - I have found this to be the best method. I may not like the answer but I do notice my comments have been noticed and sometimes acted on.

But please don't let up here...great entertainment.

Steve