West Somerset Railway General Discussion

It’s feeling very 1963 at Blue Anchor today...

 

Nice

Sadly I am unwell so cant come to play

 

Where was the info that the 73s weren't out today

 

GBRf 73.107 and 73.136 replaced by D9526 on the 14:54 MHD - BL service. Now running 33 late. <BJ>

 

Any change to the WTT for Sunday (2moro) thxs

 

Quick open the barriers before there’s a queue

 

Rumour has it the 73's will be out tomorrow if I had to guess replacing the 14 diagram

 

We've spent all three days at the WSR Diesel Gala. We've travelled behind every loco from end-to end at least once including two end-to-ends behind the Class 37 and behind the only steam service, Odney Manor on Thursday.

Sincere thanks go to Don Bishop and his team for creating a brilliant Gala in very difficult circumstances.

One observation. Personally, I do not like the mixing of sets of carriages of different liveries, which the WSR seem to prefer theses days. I've just watched the DVD of the 2018 WSR Autumn Steam Gala, where sets were all matched. In my opinion much more pleasing to the eye but I am happy to accept that others may have different thoughts.

 

Given the interest shewn about the Blue Anchor signalling arrangements, I'll observe that there are at least three candidates on this forum for the next new Signallers course.
Likewise, I can see at least one candidate for the Gala team, so that the complications of running these kinds of events can be experienced first hand.

 

I’d volunteer for the gala team

 

I have to agree. I thought that the reason for painting a rake in blood and custard was to keep all the air braked stock together. This appeared to work for a time and the set looked very smart. Now that a decision has been made to paint coaches in maroon trains now run with three different liveries in one set, bit of a mess. Perhaps the team aught to visit a SVR gala to see what can be achieved.

Little moan over. The gala was still superb. <BJ>

 

It will, of course, take a little while to work through the current repainting programme. Set liveries, it is hoped, should settle down thereafter.

If there are candidates for voluntary signalman, the first step, usually, is a discussion with the signalling Inspector. If anyone is interested, do PM me with an e-mail address and I will put you in touch. Practise has usually been to run a signalling school each winter with the trainees in boxes early the following season, hopefully to pass out on their first box by the end of the season.

I was reminded this weekend that I passed for Williton 33 years ago, another of the features making me feel quite old!

Robin

 

I can remember mainline trains in the Southampton area in the 1950s sometimes consisting of chocolate and cream, carmine and cream, green and maroon coaches.

 

I gather that a train once ran on the S&D in the 60's, 4 coaches, one from each of the Big 4 companies.

Can any railway put that together?

 

As many on the WSR like the 1960's era the mismatch of liveries is probable 'heritage' to them.

 

The loco roster appears to have gone to pot from the first departure. D9526 has replaced class 25 D7612 on the 0830 BL to MHD. <BJ>

 

D7612 did not sound right yesterday, and I have read elsewhere that it has been withdrawn. D9526 has been freed up by the fact that there is a driver available for the 73s so they should be working D9526's diagram.

 

Thanks for the info.

The 73s are indeed at BL ready to depart with the 11:06 to Minehead. <BJ>

 

It is D7535 that is unwell, sounded even worse this morning!
They are going to try changing the fuel filter during the layover at BL or I guess they could swap it for D7612.

 

Just got back from the Friday & Saturday of the gala which I enjoyed greatly. Traveled behind everything that was running except D6575, whose movements were hard to predict, but we were fine with that as we more than had our "33 fill" behind D6566 anyway.

I'd like to share some positive feedback towards the station staff manning the crossings at Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe and Blue Anchor. I've been to other railways where the "policing" of these is way OTT with jobsworths shouting at people trying to change platforms when the signals are still at danger etc etc. This weekend the WSR showed the correct way to handle these crossings. They were happy for groups to swap platforms when both crossing trains were stationary and the tokens being sorted out in the box. When the signal was pulled off, the stragglers were sent across before the barriers were calmly closed and the trains dispatched. All of this was done in just a few seconds, with everyone able to take the photos they wanted and no delays. Being able to maximise travelling time and swap across two sets that are passing is very important to me at galas. At the weekend it was a very pleasant experience and made changing trains at crossing points easy without any unpleasant exchanges or panic - the way it should be. Well done WSR!

There were too many highlights to list them all but particular mention must be made to the owners of D7017 & D7018. Both gorgeous locos with the latter obviously a particular draw. Seeing them coupled together gleaming in the sunlight was very special.