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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    460AD8ED-2FAC-45E8-911D-4F6AD8389C8A.jpeg
     
  2. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Its worth pointing out that climbing ladders to replace oil lamps & the associated walking along the track carries some very real Safety risks
     
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  3. sem34090

    sem34090 Member

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    That is very true, and is not to be neglected.

    On the flip side, it was a task quite often undertaken outside service hours and I found it very helpful to gain some practical advice as to safe practice when on or about the line. I will add that I was always accompanied by a member of staff holding a PTS qualification. In the circumstances I would suggest that the greatest risk was the climbing of ladders. Having two of us actually made that task easier by virtue of the fact that one would often not have to be constantly carrying a lamp.

    Also, as long as there are railways there will be serious risks, but being careful and following safe practices can help to minimise the risks.

    Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk
     
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  4. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    So does being on the footplate of a working steam locomotives. Anyhow, there are plenty of other oil lamps besides signal post ones.
     
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  5. sem34090

    sem34090 Member

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    Apologies for the double post.

    I think perhaps there is an element of truth in that, and perhaps suggests that for some of us at the younger end of the volunteer force (Hah!) perhaps see such things as escapism rather than a form of nostalgia? Certainly I think that, to some extent, that's been the case for me and it's the escapism aspect which has helped me in other ways over the past year.

    I should say that the friendships formed and the experience of volunteering more generally has helped me as well.

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  6. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    I haven’t been involved in the correspondence you refer to, so don’t know the ‘ins and outs’ but there are many ways to volunteer. The WSR station groups are a particular strength, for example.

    I am a hard-bitten operator but life will catch up with that eventually. My ‘retirement plan’ is to travel the Railway with my sign writing accoutrements in my dotage being made a cup of coffee by grateful station staff as I banish vinyl lettering from West Somerset.

    Robin
     
  7. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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  8. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    Freight is great! (Sorry - I'll get me coat...)
     
  9. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    Goods are better.

    Robin
     
  10. Blackdown Boy

    Blackdown Boy New Member

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    Probably using TOPS system
     
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  11. sem34090

    sem34090 Member

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  12. Wenlock

    Wenlock Well-Known Member Friend

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    I suppose it makes for easier run-rounds, but a brake each end seems excessive for eight actual goods wagons.

    The third brake seems superfluous, possibly in use as a riding van for staff not currently engaged in the training?
     
  13. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

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    By coincidence there was a Three Brake goods train on the GCR over the weekend as well. (Guards training ......and volunteer appreciation). DSCF7011.JPG
     
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  14. Ian Monkton

    Ian Monkton Member

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    I think the third brake was added at Bishops Lydeard as a convenient way of working it back to Minehead.
     
  15. MG 7305

    MG 7305 New Member

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    Ref photo in post 21461, I like the express passenger head code for the driver experience freight.

    Best regards
     
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  16. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    It would be nice to see a train of a dozen or so brake-vans, to recreate the brake-van specials over goods only lines, that you used to get with good old BR in the days before rule by the elfansafety Taleban took so much of the fun out of our hobby. But there aren't that many left nowadays.
     
  17. marcus

    marcus New Member

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    I have very fond memories of lighting signal lamps for evening trains when I first started on the WSR in the late 80's/early 90's. I must have been about 13 or 14 at the time. Me and a similar age friend would be left to get on with it. This included doing things like walking out to section signals and distant signals are BA or climbing the platform stater gantry at MD. About the only time we would be accompanied by a more senior member of staff was if we had to do the up distant at WN (which was basically at Doniford halt) and we would get a lift out in a car to do it (usually by CVDA). I don't know how I did it really as I hate heights now!

    Those were the days!!!

    Marcus
     
  18. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    A brake van at current rates in OK condition is about £12k. So to make a 12 Brake Van Train might cost 12 x 12. Plus of course siding space for all those days they are not needed. H&S S somehow does not come into it. I am sure Network rail would approve such a train subject to the usual inspections etc. let's say £5K a vehicle. Great idea, tad expensive me thinks.
     
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  19. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    More of the thread drift; but is there still a formal distinction between passenger and freight lines? Railtours cover many lines that are otherwise freight only, or even disused and vegetation-cleared for the tour.
     
  20. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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    PDSR Doing a rare track charity bash with class 37, I’d pay for be one WSR using DMU.

    Anyone else.?
     

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