West Somerset Railway General Discussion

So what's your plan for an alternative then?

 

Still no update on the Steam Dreams tour to the WSR with 61306 'Mayflower' on 16th April.

Seems to me that the train will be taken from Bishops Lydeard to Watchet by diesel and the passengers will spend a couple of hours there instead of Minehead as originally advertised.

 

Thank you.

The WSR has been brought low by, amongst other things, sone very poor decisions in the past.

Hopefully, we now begin the path back.

I would challenge every Nat Pres reader to pause and think how you can help as we get back on our feet.

Plan a visit (for you and a friend?); join the WSRA (there’s radical!); buy a share or two; or send us an on-line donation (however small or large) towards the work to put 9351 back together (and make the UK Govt add 25% for gift aid).

Every little helps.

Like this post when you have worked out how YOU are going to help.

and if you have already, thank you.

Robin

 

Fair comment. The words in any publicity need to appeal, most of the time, to the general public not the enthusiast.

As for 32678...

Steve

 

As for 32678...

It has been back on the WSR but is really a bit small.

On the other hand, in another life I am a Director of the K&ESR and have responsibility at Board level there, working with The Terrier Trust for the ‘Terrier 150’ project to restore 32678 (just out of traffic) and 32670 (been out for a bit longer).

https://www.terriertrust.org.uk/

Big announcement about that likely next week...

Robin

(Claiming thread-drift prize of the week.)

 

Indeed! I reckon most non-enthusiasts in 2004 didn't know or care much that the loco was once on static display at Butlins, despite it being a useful story for the publicity people. Those most valued non-enthusiast customers did, as I recall, enjoy seeing and travelling behind such a tiny machine, even if limited to round trips of seven miles. It'd be good to see 32678 back one day.

Steve

 

Maybe ten years or so ago there was a two/three (?) day Class 59 event hauled from Westbury to East Cranmore. Vintage buese ferried travellers to the Mendip Rail depot at Merehead with more 59's. In the storage sidings IIRC they had Terriers with guard vans offering rides up the incline. In all a great day.

 

How would the 47 get on the rear as no loop at Watchet?

 

Thought they might top and tail with a WSR diesel. I think the only alternatives are for the pax to spend a couple of exciting hours at Williton or Norton Fitzwarren! Alternatively, jump off at Stogumber for tea and cake.

 

Noted. I will, somewhat obviously, be there as a channel for any future requests...

It will be remembered that a Mk1 coach made the opposite journey for Santa in December.

Robin

 

Sorry, you have misunderstood. I'm not criticising the arrangements at all. I am criticising the inaccurate description of them on the website, referring to turning when what they mean is running round and implying that top-and-tail was part of normal branch line operation.

 

Fair enough

 

I'm sure Watchet will apprieciat the extra bussines .

 

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/bus-connections-to-minehead-from-watchet
Not so sure about the 'free' bit lol
Well done though, it is good to see a united effort come together.

 

Hope it’s a big vintage bus then.

 

What is hauling the Quantock Belle please on the 31st.

Which way is 6960 facing please.

 

Ah I guess they could, but surely means the train having to go back to Bl after to stable out the way. Then head back to pick up passengers.

 

'Bus Connections to Minehead'

It gets more like First Great Western every day. <BJ>