West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I'd welcome your ideas, @Big Al

Steve

 

Only when the station is suffiently manned and also depending on activities in the yard and shed, I believe. That is not all day or even every day. What is suggested for most of the time when the station is not manned?

Steve

 

You are right, it was a serious question. I'm confused by your reply; you won't suggest anything, but then you do. Anyway. I think we need to remove such crossings rather than increase them. Also most crossings as you describe (eg ECML) are public rights of way and I bet NR would rather get rid of such crossing altogether; the Washford situation is not a public right of way, and you seem to be suggesting the railway make one. If the "attraction" was likely to bring in hordes of visitors by train then I'm sure the railway would look to make access possible but the attraction (the path) has little to offer at present so that is not the case. If the path is extended, off-road, to Old Cleeve, Chapel Cleeve and Blue Anchor, then that'd be a different proposition altogether. I'm sure your earlier comment about finding problems rather than solutions, was not intended to be a tad on the snide side - as it happens my approach is the other way round, look for solutions and if none, then clearly there is a problem.

Steve

 

In an attempt to lighten the mood slightly..........

@Ian Monkton reported on another thread yesterday. "The S160 is leaving Bishops Lydeard by lorry today/tomorrow (Thursday/Friday)".

Assuming that they're not using the lorry to transport it to Minehead, that news will be welcomed by many members of the WSR family.

Stef.

 

Following this debate I am with Steve (WSRWiz) on this one.
As someone living in a county which has a great deal of country lanes - twisting and turning, uphill and down dale - I feel qualified to comment. For the last over fifty five years having travelled along many of them I know the hazards and limitations that they can cause.
It appears that the new pathway is fine - until you have to leave it for a country lane! How busy, or otherwise lanes can be is usually dependent on the time of day in that area when the lane carries most traffic. Whilst able bodied and reasonably agile folk can usually hear the approach of a road vehicle, it gives them time to find a small refuge or at least stand to one side and watch the passing vehicle pass by.
Not everyone has those faculties. People with poor or no hearing or sight, young children, older less mobile and disabled folk are often quite intimidated, even frightened in many cases, by road vehicles moving past them - especially lorries or large farm tractors and machinery.
There is also the stranger to the road - not often aware of what lies beyond a corner plus the occasional speed merchant.
I agree that any publicity - if it is decided to make any by the railway - should draw attention to the more difficult and unfinished parts of the scheme.

 

Thank you Robin. Someone with your inquisitorial skills would have been invaluable.

 

Country lanes can be bad for walking as last autumn I was taking the dog for a walk along a lane and just after going around a bend I heard a car coming behind me and with a wide verge so I could move out of the way as other wise I would have been hit on some sections of this lane. The reason was as the car driver came around the bend she was blinded by the low sun as it was at eye level (I had to put my hand over my eyes even for me to walk along this section of the lane) so yes lanes can be dangerous places to walk along.

Ps is any forum members going to the MRDG meeting as I have got questions for them but I am unable to get there as I have got other commitments that evening and, if so PM me and I will send on the questions to you.

 

I know I said I would not write on this Forum again but have just heard Martin Southwood passed away suddenly this morning. He has been a signalman and controller of our railway for a long, long time. He will be greatly missed. My condolences go to Martin's family at this time. RIP Martin.
Ken D

 

Your words are spot on, Ken. Especially "he will be greatly missed". A great friend to so many on and off the railway, and it was always good to be in his company.

Steve

 

Ah, yes. So that puts paid to any idea I might have had of using the new path as a vantage point at next years SSG. Looking at the map the only other access would be to leave the station and walk along the main road to the footpath over the bridge, not perhaps the safest of routes.

Certainly not, and walking along that main road is not something I'd want to do.

 

Well, there's fairly good and reasonably safe access to the east end of path at Washford Bridge which is easily reached from the station by footpath and/or back streets. Done the latter many times with a wheelchair. So your 2019 SSG plan is quite feasible and safe. See you there maybe...

Steve

 

..

 

Thanks for that Steve. I plan to be at the SSG, all things being well.

 

I passed Martin out for Williton box in Spring 1991, so that is over 27 years’ service as a signalman.

Not many of us now doing it have held our WSR duster as long or longer.

Sleep peacefully Martin.

Robin

 

I have made several attempts to HELP the MRLG grasp the issues.

Long, long ago (well, several years) I met Alex de Mendoza and David Latimer and went through some of the difficulties and the nonsense set out on their website.

At their request, I set it all out in what Alex called the ‘Red letter’. (I had taken their statements and set out the difficulties alongside in red text.). I was promised an answer in a month. That is 3 or 4 years ago now.

Hard to conclude, in the absence of answers, that MRLG don’t have them, even after plenty of time to work them out.

There are lots of things that could be done to boost the tourist offering and profile of Minehead - Watchet shows the way in this area - MRLG are merely a distraction and a nuisance.

Robin

 

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

The WSR have distributed donation envelopes on trains for some time (exhibit one).

The K&ESR have taken the idea and updated it somewhat.

Do other railways do anything similar?

Robin

 

I must admit I've always been curious as to how much money this actually raises, are you able to give any rough indications for the WSR Robin? We find a collecting jar at the buffet counter on the train does rather well, people already have their cash out as it's cash only, and quite often any small change that passengers are owed is waived and put in there instead.