West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I could never understand the need to apply Rule 39A on heritage railways.

 

Strictly speaking, to take that argument to extremes, there's no need for heritage railways to use signals at all. A lot don't. Or there's no need for them to use the same signals and signal aspects as Network Rail do now or as former railway companies did in the past - rather fewer railways take the path of having their own signal indications, but a few do.

My own railway has made some pragmatic adaptations to the rules due to the low linespeed; Block Reg 5 has been simplified somewhat, and clearing points have been shortened at some boxes. We still have Rule 39A on the books, though.

 

Everything running 2moro for diesel gala?

 

The DEPG E-mail states that on the 6th of July the 37 will be covering 60 miles, but the diesel diagram is a round trip which is only 40, anyone know whats planned?

Also some days the DMU diagram is showing as 60 miles which isnt whats in the timetable

 

Welcome back D7018

 

The 60 mile diagram involves an additional MD - WN return which has been put in for diesel-hauled days since the timetables were printed:
BL dep 1100 MD arr 1224
MD dep 1325 WN arr 1410
WN dep 1422 MD arr 1505
MD dep 1525 BL arr 1650

 

OOOh, moist

 

Obviously my own recollections of Barnham are at variance with Nic C! And yes, this was in slam door days too.

I also would question other statements by others. Angmering crossing was at the end of the platform, as was Ford, and many many others on the Brighton-Portsmouth line, with the boxes adjacent to the crossing. Chichester was also a valid example with a very busy road crossing at the East end of the platforms, and could not be seen from the signal box which was west and south of the station.

Pulborough and Petersfield were other examples on radiating lines from the above with platforms very close to the crossing and boxes adjacent.

It seems to me that Blue Anchor is in a sort of time warp, and doing nothing to help progression of road traffic as Dennis originally commented upon, and with a bit of lateral thinking, could be reviewed. I leave my car in the BL carpark, so none of this bothers me personally, but the delays at Blue Anchor clearly has bothered Dennis.

Cheers,

Julian

 

A quick mention about the WSR Diesel Gala yesterday. It was excellent.

When I arrived at Bishops Lydeard the first train of the day was sat in the station in the glorious early morning sunlight. It was hauled by a pair of immaculate class 25s. A good start to the day.

Later in the day the pair of GBRf 73s worked a round trip, they do sound good on the inclines.

It was good to see Hymek D7018 back in service. Welcome back. It was worth the wait. What a fantastic finish to the bodywork !! Well done to the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group. One of the highlights of the day was the sight and sound of D7017 and D7018 powering past Castle Hill.

In the late afternoon D6575 returned to service double-heading with classmate D6566 on the 15:51 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.

The final train of the day was hauled by D7612 with the 17:43 from Minehead. The enthusiastic driver was obviously playing to the gallery at Castle Hill with lots of noise from the engine and use of the horns.

Time keeping slipped during the day by about 20 mins but to me that just meant that I could enjoy the gala for a little longer.

Well done to the West Somerset Railway for organising such an excellent gala during such a difficult time. I sincerely hope that the gamble paid off. <BJ>

 

Thank you

I suspected as much, its just that its not on the WSR website yet

 

I was watching 'The Yorkshire Steam Railway' last night.

It all looks like they have fun.

What was interesting was that

1. The Carriage Windows seemed to be cleaned at the end of the line, a la Ffestiniog
2. The 'End of Season' finished with Fireworks

Possibly two ideas the WSR might adopt?

 

[Off topic - sorry.] Can some tekkie- person help me? An earlier programme in the series had them fixing a 'water leak' underneath Repton prior to going into service for their WW2 event. . A repair was deemed to be essential. Source of the leak was not made clear- surely not the boiler ?? Were they just ramping up the drama?

 

Hum, not only has the WSR website not been updated to take this into account but it also shows the Christmas services which I understand are now not operating as the line will be closed over the winter

 

Lets not veer off topic to far but the whole NYMR programme appears heavily staged. Goodness knows what the general public make of it but then the publicity is worth tens of thousands!

 

Not all of it??

 

Without going back and watching the episodes again, I'm not certain but two 'leaks' were dealt with, both on boilers. One was a crack in a copper firebox which was welded up. I think that was on 63395. The other was cracks in the steel firebox of 34081 which again needed welding and a replacement stay (or two) No doubt 34081 can give more details on this repair.

Most of what happened was real and not staged. Dramatised would be a more appropriate word.

 

Well, they all look like they are having fun, they are funny and somebody is a very very naughty boy!!

 

Maybe practices at Barnham changed over time? I knew it right at the end of slam-door days.

And talking of that line, I was on a train that hit a car at a crossing near Fishbourne, back in January 2003. The car was going too fast for the conditions and failed to stop at the barriers, the train was fast from Havant to Chichester and so was doing about 60 at the time...

 

That's the name of the game, isn't it?