West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Is there any PW work blocking the line?
As for Loco and tender on the same vehicle.
I assume that the tender is a lot lighter than it would be usually.
It all depends on the design of the road vehicle and if it lies within permitted axle weights.
Which may be of a higher value than normal if permission is applied for, especially on short runs.

 

And it would also seem that the loco might be lighter given the bits that aren't there. Probably no water in the boiler? Certainly none in the tender

Steve B

 

I would guess that there's nowhere to attach a secure coupling.

 

In my days in a heavy haulier's accounts office, the rule was 'special types' vehicles for which the Road Fund Licence was much less than a normal artic) were only permitted a single load.

In theory, on that basis, the wagon may have full RFL, but I would bow to Steve's knowledge of actual regulations, as my knowledge of road tax is over 30 years ago!

Steven

 

Is it too much to hope that the haulier might actually know what they’re doing?! #armchairexperts

 

The move of 9351 to Williton is a ‘good news’ story of co-operation between WSRplc and WSRA. An official statement follows shortly.

Robin

 

My understanding is that you are allowed to move loads in excess of 44 tonnes gross (i.e. Including vehicle) as long as the load is a single unit and cannot be split, which this can be. That's why locos and tenders are always moved separately. Happy to be told that's wrong, though.

 

Plenty. I know nothing about diesels for a start.

 

Stakeholders are not invited. I know because I have not been invited.

 

If events like this, which are bound to generate some interest from the wider group of railway supporters, are going to happen wouldn't it be possible for the Board to issue statements at the time of the event or even a little before? It seems like the Plc and WSRA are constantly playing 'catch-up' with statements being issued after the event.
The move obviously had to be planned so did no-one consider drafting an announcement at the same time and then releasing it to coincide with the event? It would save all the "What's going on..." speculation appearing on here.

 

There seems to be 'official statements' always after an event.
My trust in any official of this railway is non existent. An individual opinion.

 

That too is my understanding, however the Raib describe a tender loco as being permanently coupled ie engine and tender. If you could move a small tender loco such as 52322 on one trailer it would make life easier for the likes of me but Reid freight won't do it. I've not gone any further into it but couldn't help but wonder whether it was a ruse to get two rigs on the job.
FR20 usually moves on one trailer as it apparently falls under the 44t gvw rule.

With regard to 9351 given how the Wsr is cash strapped moving it by road rather than rail doesn't seem the best use of the company pound....

 

Who is Jack James Baird? Why has his appointment been left off the synopsis of the last WSRA meeting ? Companies house list him. Why hide a director? Another official statement to follow I guess.

 

The Notice of Mr Baird's co-option is Item 6 in the Synopsis.

 

Dated 14 January .......not picked up by the official unofficial web site.
He is an ex Naval person. I guess he must be an asset .... Must be good at looking between the devil and the deep blue sea.......

https://www.wsra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/190114-Synopsis-WSRA-Board-Meeting.pdf

 

The board minutes on the WSRA website, linked in the post above, say the association have agreed to meet the cost of getting it back into service.

 

Not entirely sure that anybody has been 'invited' Nick.

Were it not for @West Somerset Wizard drawing my attention to a letter from the Chairman published on the official website on 11th January, this event would have passed without my knowledge.

Stef.

 

Think it was published yesterday - thanks for the "alert"

Steve

 

Its simple enough all you need to do is make contact as quite clearly described here:

http://www.wsr.org.uk/wsr-stakeholder-meeting-feb-2019.pdf

And this specifically INCLUDES shareholders.

 

Not even ex NCB narrow gauge locos?