WSR Autumn Steam Gala 27-30 September 2018

That's a possibility - but more likely is that it may be used for photo charters or private driving experiences. We have a small number of regular clients who hire a train for the day just to drive it themselves. These trains are classed as Steam Engineman Courses and would not be available for the public to ride on.

 

There may also be an element of simple logistics to an early departure, i.e. finding a date for which there is availability of a WCRC diesel and driver for the move (plus the positioning move of the diesel prior to that); etc.

Tom

 

On the official website there is a list of planned double headers, 4 or 5 per day. This is an interesting feature. I haven't yet seen the souvenir programme advertised, though, which will give the full picture.

 

DOUBLE-HEADED LOCOMOTIVE WORKINGS
Day 1, 27th September
73082 and 34052
73082 and 6046
80104 and 41312
7822 and 6960
7820 and 7822

Day 2, 28th September
73082 and 53808
34052 and 53808
80104 and 41312
7820 and 7822

Day 3, 29th September
73082 and 53808
73082 and 41312
34052 and 53808
7822 and 6960

Day 4, 30th September
41312 and 53808
34052 and 41312
34052 and 53808
34052 and 80104
7820 and 7822

 

When I managed to find it, the souvenir brochure was only available on the Thursday booking site, not any other day, could perhaps @Robin Moira White raise it with the appropriate people?

Also is it posted out to you?

 

Can't help feeling that they are overdoing it a bit with the double-heading. What do others think?

 

Don't get me started on double heading.
I don't mind it if smaller loco's double head on decent length trains but some larger loco's double heading look frankly ridiculous on short carriage rakes. One Gala I visited years ago had two 9F's hauling four carriages.
The WSR have come up with some good combinations for this event though. Very suitable combinations for the train formations they operate over the challenging gradients.
Sorry for a little rant.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

I haven't seen the full timetable yet but double headers do add something to a gala, especially if the timetable is a little bland.

 

I agree but I think a couple of double-headers a day should be enough. 4 or 5 is overkill in my view. Furthermore I like double-headers that are realistic combinations from steam days. So 73082 and 34046 is a good one (very Somerset and Dorset) and the GWR Maoor/Hall combinations are good but I'm not sure about some of the others. Not a major gripe - just a personal viewpoint.

 

I'm looking forward to travelling behind the two Manors. Should be a good soundtrack on Washford Bank and the climb from Williton to Crowcombe Heathfield.

Stef.

 

Too many double headers. One a day is plenty.

 

I hope the are all chimney first ,not tender to tender.

 

I don't generally like double headers, especially when they are silly combinations, but on the S&D on a summer Saturday up to 1962 pretty well anything could happen! The planned ones for the gala aren't in the silly category, but one or two should be enough. I suppose when there are so many visitors, it is the only way to ensure that every loco gets a decent amount of running.

 

There do seem a lot and apart from the S&D not sure how many Cross Country services were double headed. Most seem good (apart from Camelot and the S160). Not yet having my programme, I am concerned Camelot may never run on its own. Still at least it is a line with a few hills.

 

The number of double headers will probably reduce when the S160 fails and locos have to be rediagrammed to cover! (ducks to avoid the flack!)

 

An up and coming steam Gala,4 days, 10 locos with a few services paired up and guess what people are already critising this descision.For those who will be attending and dont like double headers,dont go on that train.I think its a good idea and will be looking forward to the Gala,im doing all four days.I was also pleased when the railway reverted to running this Gala at the end of September rather than the first full week of October like the last 2 years.Couldnt attend as not a weekend off work.
Hoping for plenty of clag,sunshine and some nice beer in Minehead,staying there is always nice.
Cheers

 

People are making valid comments about what they like to spend their leisure money on. I will be attending this year (even though I am not a great fan of the line and do not normally go) because most of the locos are BR Black. That does it for me, many on here would deride that, and that is their choice. Everyone's opinion is valid.

 

West Somerset is a great place to be, enhanced by a railway and even more so by a gala with 7 guest locos with an already impressive home fleet. Only a week to go, can hardly wait!

John

 

Yes, I love BR black too. A also like my viewfinder filled so double headers are great. I will be putting my LSP to good use on all 4 days.

 

Hi All
On the discussion on double heading. Im involved with the diagrams and roster. There are many lines in the sand when doing a loco roster like how many engines? Owners wishes? Engine use before and after the event? Where they need to be based each night? What can be achived each morning at each end? Load requirements? Staffing available? And then of course what we would like to do or see...
So yes the plan is to turn every engine except 41312 every time unless something on the day happens.
The list on here for double heading isnt quite correct. Problem with turning engines at Norton is the time taken from BL- NF and taking up that section. We are running 41312 on a local set and few other services right through to Norton.
This meant we then couldnt turn each engine as would of been back log waiting at BL. So simply answer is for some engines to go to NF doubleheaded. So yes are some double headers with for example 73052/34052 or 7822/7820 but some marked are only for turning to keep everything chimney first. Is a small #mark to mention it in the notes. So plenty of engines in use over the railway. Staff working hard to make this a great event so please come along and see for yourself. Every person who has a ride or buys a cup of tea or line side pass helps keep the railway and events like these going.
Hope to see you all there!!
Stuart Nelhams

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk