West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I hope not...I think the answer would be the use of chains and shackles. These apart from being expensive would require six monthly inspection which would be costly. I am sure they would be welcome by the WSR if some one is willing to pay........

 

Tomorrow (Sunday 25th March) is the day of the double-headed Halls. Just to bring a bit of perspective to the statement above, "They they turn up backwards", well while the first working of the day (0905BL) will admittedly see them working tender-first, the following two (1055MD and 1345BL), they will be working smokebox-first.

 

And organise. But hey, it's so EASY isn't it!

 

Are you saying that ratchet straps and other means of tying items to trucks aren't subject to official inspection?

 

Oh good, here we go again...

Perceptions, remember?

 

It’s protypical, but it doesn’t make it any more attractive, IMHO.

Robin

 

Is there a weight limit to what can be put on military train? Expected more tanks .

 

Ratchet straps and ropes.

Interestingly, during my training year with British Rail (86-87) I spent a week at Ridhan Dock in Kent loading and roping down the temporary runway components being shipped back from the Faulkands to go back into storage ‘somewhere in England’ and we used hemp rope. Yards and yards and yards of it.

The ‘military train’ folk, which I am privileged to have been a small part of, have worked wonders in a short period but the rope - strap point might want thinking about before September.

We are very much learning.

Robin

 

I counted one black, two green & a little blue one.
How many tanks were you expecting?

 

Don’t forget the Light stone and dark stone ones - one at BL and two at Minehead!

Robin

 

Whereas heavy vehicles were more likely to be chained down, memories of withdrawn Humber "pigs" being sent to a central depot for auction, together with various items of engineer's plant.

With reference to @AnthonyTrains2017 query on tanks, I believe that although suitable period tanks have been preserved they are in very short numbers, and of course can only be conveyed on very specialised wagons and with limitations even then due to their size.

 

If the tie-down straps are causing someone to have an attack of the vapours, I hope they don't look too closely at the amplification used by the lady who sang at Minehead (for free I might add). I suspect that the electronics ran on microprocessors and not authentic EMI thermionic valves. "Don't tell 'em, Pike !".

Well done Andy N and team. I had a chat with a few of the re-enactors and they were absolutely terrific fun. Their presence at Minehead took the gala to a totally new level.

For all the volunteers, Andy N just loves being saluted so don't forget to do so when you walk past him. He'll probably thump me for mentioning that

 

There Robin you got it wrong. There are 2 in BL (or 4 if you count the 2 settling tanks in the shed) there is on biggun in the air on the down side just up of the signal box and one gert biggun in the yard waiting for a crane.
From what I can remember and I'm a good bit older than Robin everything mounted on flat or 1 plank wagons was chained down, secured with shackles and tightened with the railways version of a bottle strainer. Everything in wagons with sides, hence inherently securing the load, was roped or fixed to the floor (or floor rings). It was not unusual to nail items to wagon floors in the 1950s.
Securing military vehicles for the 40s weekend may be best secured with chains and I will enquire to see if we can hire in the equipment as it would be cheaper than owning them and having them tested ever 6 months.

 

There is a Sherman tank hanging around at Slapton Sands. Doubt anyone would miss it if you sneaked it back soon as you've finished with it

 

I thought the military train looked fantastic. These things take time to develop and I'm sure the train in September will be even better.
The military personnel were very approachable and posed for the picture below. I offered a 10 shilling note to the battalion commander to buy the troops a pint and he added it to his own collection of vintage money. I immediately came home and bought my 1940s ID card on eBay ready for September when I intend to fully enter into the spirit of the event. Just leaving now for another day on the line, come and say hello.
Ian Coleby

 

It wasn't so much what you said, but the way that you said it. "I thought the military train looked really good, but, if someone could look into getting some period lashings for the next event, it would be even better." would have been a bit more tactful.

 

From memory before retirement it's only lifting tackle that has to be mandatorily inspected, although no one would use damaged equipment for lashing down. In my days the rail flats had chains with hooks & bottle jacks on each wagon & when not in use the ends were nailed to the bed. When loaded wheel chocks were nailed to the front & rear of the wheels.

DJB.

 

Overall I think the gala teams do a very good job and should be congratulated on their efforts to bring variety and interest long may it continue.

Seeing this picture did, however, remind me of a point from my last two gala visits to the railway. Could something be done to reduce the inconsiderate parking at the end of the BL carpark which makes it very difficult for the bus to get back to the road? Whilst being in awe of the skill of the bus drivers making their lives a little easier might help them keep more closely to the timetable and stop those of us who rely on the connection worrying about whether we need to walk upto the village in case the bus cuts out the station because of the problems in getting through.

 

Can Ratchet straps be painted?
A quick coat of Black or rusty brown and no one will notice.
As for Tanks, how many Air and Vac tanks were there?

Good effort by all involved.
Makes a change from seeing the usual sort of thing that everybody does.

 

Robin - have you seen the BTI film Secure Loading. It is actually a LNER production. It depicts , amoung other things, how to rope a container using hemp

Dave