West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Open to Minehead!

I was privileged to be Guard / shunter for todays major WSR ‘shuntopoly’ / test train at Blue Anchor / ECS MD to BL.

Just a few snaps.

 

Why 'Wrong Side' at BA

Oh & the second coach needs a repaint..................

 

Second coach looks splendid

 

Services are about to return to normal at the WSR this morning as GWR pannier tank 6430 awaits the 10:05 departure from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard.

7828 sits at Bishops Lydeard awaiting the 10:15 service to Minehead.

Happy days are here again. <BJ>

 

Fantasic to see the WSR fully open.

Welcome back WSR.

 

Indeed happy days, and a happy ending BJ

 

GWR 6430 departed a few minutes late with 4 coaches.

A familiar face exchanging the token as it departed. I'm sure I've seen her before somewhere. <BJ>​

 

Congratulations WSR for all the hard work over past months to get things back to full line running. Much hard graft, sweat, tears and monies from supporters which I'm sure is warmly applauded by all those on NP. Thank you.

 

A privilege to hand out the token for the first passenger train from Minehead of the 2019 season, the 10:05 from Minehead today.

(And some more ‘pannier porn’)

 

Looks like DJH on the handle....

 

Don't want to spoil the party, but complacency is your worst enemy - the crisis is not going to be over for a few years yet and the money to get through next winters greatly expanded PWay programme has yet to be found.

 

And behind him, in the gloom of the footplate, is Bob Meanly, WSR CME.

Robin

The WSRA is working with the WSR plc to spearhead that fundraising effort. But easier to generate enthusiasm for / contributions to an open railway than a closed one.

Robin

 

Great to see the Hymek out and about with the Down to Minehead + 0-6-0 steam heater.

Quite a platform full of customers at Blue Anchor too

 

Oh dear, that didn't last long - pannier piloted by a Hymek

 

I don't think it's a problem with the Pannier - more the length of the train. Having watched the last departure of the day from BL the load appears to have grown from 4 coaches this morning to 7. As discussed earlier that is over the limit for a 64xx Pannier. Wonder whether this situation will continue for the rest of the weekend.....? Good for the railway if they are managing to fill 7 coach rakes!

 

Nothing wrong with the Pannier. But 4 coaches won’t do for the modern WSR. We worked that out a few years ago...

But it’s a lovely visitor.

Robin

 

Please please tell me this is happening again 2moro. I had to work today

 

Pity they couldn't have put on a larger steam loco and avoided having to use a diesel

 

The customer is king - if they are quite happy with the steam/diesel arrangement there is no problem. If they are disappointed it has the potential to influence return visits.

 

Except that it requires two crews for one train and isn't a terribly efficient use of resources.