West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The GWSR now charges £2 for a dog. I have been a Booking Office Clerk there for most of the current season, and have not had any adverse comments from passengers about this.

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Pretty good value for a day trip. 2 adults with 2 dogs plus bags taking 6 seats, dogs are £2 per day ......

 

Other than guide dogs, why are they allowed in passenger carriages ? Surely they can be left at home for the day ?

 

That approach would mean that the many dog-including groups we carry would, in all probability, not visit the railway, with the associated loss of revenue.

Dogs are not permitted to be on the upholstery.

Robin

 

No, dogs can’t be left at home for the day. The reasonable limit for ours is about 4 hours.


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Many dog 0wning families regard their dog as part of the family and as such bring them on holiday with them and as it's not practical, or sensible, to leave a dog on their own in holiday accommodation dog owners tend to only go where dogs are welcome.
Anyway, why shouldn't dogs be allowed in passenger carriages? (unless they're buffet carriages of course).

 

Are you one of those pathetic people who allow their filthy dogs on seats? You should be ashamed of yourself.

Or were you (hopefully) being sarcastic?

 

I can't speak for granmaree's dogs having never met them, but in 20+ years of visiting the WSR, and other heritage railways, I've never seen a filthy dog they've all been clean and well groomed (which is how a responsible dog owner should keep their dogs). In my experience the majority of dog owners don't allow their dogs on seats.

As an aside, the same can't be said for many parents who quite happily let their children stand on the seats and tables with their dirty shoes on.

 

More to the point though I understand that that breed of dog was not kept as a pet in the BR 'Blood and Custard' era

 

The subject of dogs can be quite emotive. We have had dogs for over fifty years, sometimes up to three at a time (sisters).
Often there are, as for many other things in life, double standards. Some years ago we decided to patronize a popular restaurant in Newton Abbot which, we discovered, did not allow dogs in the restaurant. They did, however, allow many of the farming community - the market was across the road - free access despite the manure that was on their footwear!!!!

 

When we go away, if the hotel does not accept dogs then they do not get our custom.
We do not mind paying the added charge, usually around £10 per night as we do appreciate that Golden Retrievers x 2 are hairy beasts.
In the case of travel on the trains we will make efforts to ensure they are clean before travel, but that does not mean they will be dry.
On the NYMR the path from Esk Valley to Grosmont is Ash which has an affinity to dogs so a final dip in the ford to clean off is usually needed.

 

Is it the same price for all animals, as I have a giant rabbit called roger that lives in my house and sometimes goes shopping with me. Would like to travel on trains with him.

Serious post.

 

We took our two terriers on the Llangollen railway and I think the dog tickets were £1 although I'd happily have paid more. I can't say I recall seeing any dogs on seats on any preserved lines whether clean or otherwise. Sticky-fingered children however might be different.
Leaving dogs home up to four hours might suit some but would prevent attending preserved lines for those on holiday or travelling from further field. Does anyone think this is a price worth paying for lines needing all the revenue they can get?
I can also say that local hostelries in Llangollen were also favourable accommodating to people outing with their four legged companions as well as those with two.
Personally speaking I would leave rabbits at home though. I have a bad feeling of potential carnage on the 10.15 to Corwen involving two otherwise innocent JRTs

 

RAOTFLOL! I love the idea. Do alert us so we can see it.

 

The 'Rover' for 'Rover' discussion always induces a mix of ennui and concern.

My experience of dogs on WSR trains over morè than a decade is that:

Passengers are happy to pay the £2 dog fare. Indeed, as with wheelchair users, they are
pleasantly surprised that we positively. welcome them on to the train.
The majority of dogs are clean and perfectly behaved , similarly with children, behaviour reflects that of the
owners
West Somerset as a whole is regarded as a dog friendly area ( not the case with other parts of the South
West . In Porlock for example being dog friendly is considered an essential part of its tourist attraction.)

During the peak period the average number of dogs per train is at least ten. If we assume three accompanying
persons per dog and an average fare spend per passenger of £11 then to lose said dogs and accompanying
passengers would represent £350 ie a ton and a half of coal. ( on an August day spread across the various
services and recognising most passengers make a return journey, probably in excess of £1,000 per day. )

The only downside would be if any passengers failed to travel because we are dog friendly. I am not
aware of any such.

Michael Rowe

 

I was walking up the the platform, the passengers and dogs were on the train. Platform staff were busy, train staff were elsewhere in the train.
That particular dog was sat grooming itself then sprawled across the seat as the train moved off.

 

I can't find a rabbit ticket, perhaps it could travel as a fowl or market produce?

 

Any idea what will haul the Minehead Express tomorrow and what direction it will be facing?

 

Loco roster on WSR.0rg shows GWR 4-6-0 no 7822 Foxcote Manor

I would have done it 2moro but the arrival time back in to BL is the same time 60103 goes thru Taunton so need to be on the norton bridge. If I had the money I’d charter a wsr train and watching from the line at norton.

 

Thanks as it seems to be the only passenger train movement (there may be driver experience movements) and the Manor does fit on the turntable at Minehead, I hope that means it will run forwards in both directions