West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Missing my point there. 6960 Raveningham Hall has got it.

 

So whats going to replace 7822 in two years time,? assuming of course the WSR, still has need of a third engine, 4561 is the only engine currently under overhaul, that might return to steam in that time span,
Again the timing is another PR blunder, you've just kicked another engine off the line, and your announcing it's replacement already, you really can not make it up, Bias, what Bias, every statement the board put out, claiming to be sympathetic to the plight of the S&D Trust then gets blown out of the water by the next announcement.

 

6960’s gone to finish its ticket at the SVR though... Oh hang on

 

Yet some still try to claim there isn't a built in bias against non GWR design locomotives at the WSR.

 

A 20 mile line with only 2 home based working steam locos, and only 2 others under overhaul or in storage. Can they afford to be fussy?

 

If only there were a couple of class 4 locomotives that could be fast tracked.

 

To be honest, I'll be grateful if the WSR actually needs any locos in future!

 

...apart from those just to shunt stock around MD station

 

Am I correct in thinking that 9466 is "ticketed" through to 2025? That's another engine that could run on the WSR once the necessary works have taken place to upgrade the line to 'red' status.

 

I'm not really sure why there's a problem with an ex-GWR branch line, re-created (largely) in GWR style having a bias towards GWR locomotives. After all, when I visit the Mid-Hants or Swanage, I see a lot of Southern locomotives.

 

That depends if the line is upgraded to red status by 2025.

Does it make any sense to use 9466 anyway?

9466 is a privately owned loco that the WSR would have to pay commercial rates to use (even if it owned by JJP).

The same money could be used to hire a lighter loco from a different owner, thus avoiding the expensive track upgrade works.

 

I suspect that that's more by choice rather than the force which the WSR could be percieved to be applying.

 

Fair point, but is there an abundance of "blue" loco owners willing to hire their engines out to the WSR? At least Tyseley and 7822 group seem okay with it, so maybe the answer to that question is a tentative 'yes'.

 

Thank you for this detailed response. It seems peculiar to me that the situation is as described by you, but I accept that you have greater knowledge in this area than I do. I must have been fortunate in working with, on, and for, Boards that took the wider interpretation of the need to consult and ensured that various viewpoints were brought to their meetings for discussion. We could probably continue this discussion for a while but your comments in the last paragraph provide a good summary of the present situation, and all we can do, at this stage, is await the AGM.

 

What are you on about? The railway needs engines to run. If they hadn't announced anything people would be kicking off. A proven loco and owning group signing up for 2 years is not to be sniffed at.

7822 has spent a few years at the WSR now and is there currently. It's not a replacement loco.

 

No I did get your point but wanted to be awkward about it. 53808 has gone, for now. Pointless going on about it. It suits both parties so don't see the issue myself.

 

7822 was due to run on the WSR this year, It didn't. It is coming to Somerset for winter maintenance apparently and then. assuming the line is open, will run next year. There is, most likely, a hire arrangement already made.

 

They need to pay to use any loco so not sure why it being privately owned is an issue? Aren't all non NRM locomotives privately owned?

 

That’s exactly my point, they need to pay to use any loco. So why would they pay to hire 9466? It would cost the same to hire say a large Prairie instead, but without the need/cost to upgrade to red status.