West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Corrected the October dates unless it is from a Friday to a Monday in 2019

 

Thanks

 

Would anyone know when D9526 moves to SDR please

 

Due to be moved from WN to BL on Sunday 7th then then taken to the SDR either late that afternoon or early Monday.

Ian R

 

How long is it staying for? I looked for it at Williton on Sunday but couldn’t find it. Any idea where it was hiding?

 

There was a 14 in the yard on Saturday, sat between a 33 and the goods shed, but it has disappeared on the Sunday. As the 33 hadn't moved, I suspect that it must have retreated back into the goods shed.

 

Correct! D9526 was in the Goods Shed, moved out for cleaning and then back in again.
It comes back from the SDR during the week commencing 5th November following their Diesel Gala.

Ian R.

 

I am looking at the new 'Orange' Timetable

While I understand some of the logic behind it, why no Watchet stop, surely thats one destination passengers might like to visit

 

I can understand trains not stopping at Washford, Doniford & Stogumber, but surely Watchet is one of the most interesting places to visit on the line.

 

My understanding is that the "orange" timetable is a bit of an experiment, running on days when normally no passenger services run, being promoted as a trip to Minehead, hence the first part of the name. The stops (and no-stops) at non-passing stations were decided after consultation with the stations, I believe. The real test about Watchet is the number of comments by folks wishing to travel there on these trains and I'm confident the railway, as ever, will review feedback.

Steve

 

How much time will be saved on the whole journey by running non-stop through Watchet?

 

Good question.

The Orange timetable shows a journey time of 1h 19m (down) 1h 18m (up); the next day Red timetable shows 1h 32m (down) and 1h 28 (up), so there's a fair old saving in time by not stopping at Watchet, Washford, Doniford and Stogumber. To answer your question about Watchet, shall we say around 2-4mins?

Clearly, if few people travel on the "Minehead Express" because they wanted Watchet then the railway have got it wrong. We shall see.

Steve

 

I know that some of the Friends groups are very concerned that this is the thin end of a very fat wedge.
They think that it will starve them of desperately needed income.
At last weeks ASG I stopped off at Stogumber station on each of the four days. I spent a good deal of money buying refreshments and was absolutely amazed at the number of others doing the same.
Although I shall be back at Blue Anchor shortly I will not travel on Orange timetable days.

Stef.

 

Hmmm. My understanding is that, after consultation, it was the folk at the stations who decided...

Steve

 

Well, Steve, last week I attended the AGM of the Friends group which I belong to and they are dead against it.
I can't speak for others of course.

Stef.

 

Thanks for the feedback, Stef. I take it the "Minehead Express" does not stop at that group's station?

Steve

 

It could also be something to do with how long it takes to serve, & eat at leisure, a train-load of F&C diners & Cream Tea fans. (That's not phrased very well!).

 

The WTT for 'Orange' TT appears to imply stops at all stations except Doniford.

 

Please forgive me if I'm missing something here.

My statements are based entirely on information given to me by staff at the stations involved, and information published on the WSR official website.

If you visit the website, click on 'Timetables' and then click 'Orange' towards the foot of the page it clearly states that 'Minhead Express' and 'Fryday Special' services only stop at Crowcombe Heathfield, Williton, Blue Anchor and Dunster. They do not stop at Stogumber, Doniford, Watchet or Washford.

To answer the suggestion that the 'excluded' station staff were in favour of this, I have to say that only on the West Somerset Railway would Turkeys vote for Christmas.

Stef.