West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Whereas if the dawdlers were to ask station staff on their arrival to please fill their tea can, they could enjoy the tea in plenty of time after the run-round. You can't run a railway without tea, but you can run the railway without delaying for tea.

 

I can just see the faces of certain Tenterden Stationmasters if they were asked to fill a tea can! Also I doubt that any of them can pee by proxy for loco crews.

 

We use our “As Required” crews for replenishing tea etc.

The duty is to work “as required”, but that does have to be “within the realms of the possible”.

Tom

 

Whilst restorations are important they do take time, up to years in some cases. The answer in keeping sets in service is intermediate tidy up. This can be a simple revarnish to keep the stock in good condition. It also helps to have a long pit for below the frame maintenance. The SVR shed has one road which can acomodate 8 mk1 over a pit without splitting the train. Aconsiderable time saver. Having more coached than needed helps because no one is pressing C &W to keep stock in servicewhen it should be undergoing msintenance. Given the exposed seaside location the WSR needs IMHO covered storage for stock

 

Should crew start the day with a good dose of All Bran & Prunes ot a Vindaloo the night before duty to speed up PNB's?

 

Operational WSR coaching stock spends more time inland at Bishops Lydeard than the coastal Minehead

Steve

 

Everywhere needs covered carriage accommodation and, after all, the W.S.R. has been going for a hell of a long time. Coincidentally, yesterday, I rode in a vehicle debuting last weekend after a prolonged general overhaul/rebuild occasioned by exposure to salt spray during its pre-preservation career. Unlike some other centenarians, it will be used in regular service but, out of season, will be kept in a carriage shed.

 

It's not just train crews who occasionally need more time. Guards and TTIs helping catering staff with restocking during layover speeds turnaround too.

 

I suspect the inability to control timing of the results may cause more issues than it solves!

 

All steamy...

I’m not big on steam loco shots, but a highly-polished Bradley Manor catching the sun with the driver looking back for the guard’s flag at Bishops Lydeard this morning was irresistible.

 

Until early October, I understand.

 

Is the brake valve on the left hand side of the cab?

 

Isn't that the one just behind the driver's shoulder, to the right of the regulator?

 

7802 is due to feature at the WSR Autumn Steam Gala & leave very shortly afterwards. (ASG is 3rd - 6th October with 3 Manors & no doubt more...)

 

It's a bit more complex than just running to time.

If, as happens on some railways, the train has no on board toilets then the turn round needs to be long enough for passengers to use the facilities.

If the service has no operating on board buffet then the turn round should be long enough to obtain refreshments. This happened to me at Bishops Lydeard on the last departure of the day... except the station buffet was already closed.

There should also be operational priorities for late running. On the WSR trains towards Bishops Lydeard should be given priority towards the of the day for the benefit of those with onwards connections. Something which doesn't happen.

 

To the best of my knowledge , if I'm wrong I'm sure to be put right , it's between regulator and fore and aft gear lever , normaly operated by the drivers left hand . Hope that helps .

 

As an ex-guard and TTI, may I point out each has their own duties and 'personal needs' during a station turnaround! In a guard's case, this includes a brake continuity test which can't be done until the loco crew have attached themselves to the correct end of the train and remembered to 'blow a brake'! Similarly, if the loco crew wait until they have 'blown the brake', they have a couple of minutes at least to do what they need to while the guard does the continuity test and returns to his van.

And let's not get into the 'I can't see your green flag or hear your whistle because I am not looking out of the cab' position - often accompanied by unhealthy black smoke and a sense of 'and even if I look, I don't have enough steam for this thing to go anywhere'! This can happen at intermediate stations as well as termini!

Steven

 

Anyone would think loco crew and guards didn't get on, when we all know signalmen are the common enemy

Tom

 

Now that's harsh, Tom, very harsh. Signalmen are on your side...unless you disturb our tea break!