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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Indeed. I suspect that @FrankC is picking up the pieces of the earlier shambles, and having to deal with the consequences of the company’s earlier wantonness, which may well include complications in the supply chain caused by Covid. One presumes that the revisiting of designs may mean that previously completed off site work may no longer be available, and components reused for other installations.


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  2. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Or that purchased equipment may be out of warranty having sat in the shelf for approaching three years . Further delay and it will probably be no longer standard and have to replaced again .
     
  3. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    AIUI the new crossing will have 4 x half-length barriers rather than the current 2 ? So in addition to the new REB, then will there not also need to be more groundwork done for the 2 additional barrier 'pedestals' ?
     
  4. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    I was reading Noam Chomsky’s ten rules for media manipulation last night

    Number 7 is keep the public in ignorance and mediocrity , a strategy the wsr have pursued for some time . Funnily enough 1-6 have been pursued too .
     
  5. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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    Looks like there is a swarm of bees playing with the Crowcombe camera (@10:55)
     
  6. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    Can I get this straight - the reason why the WSR can not run into Minehead is down to the decision by the father of the chairman and the chairman to tear up an agreed design to replace Seaward Way crossing for aesthetic reasons.

    The reason the WSR can not run into Minehead is nothing to do with Covid, nothing to do with SCC, nothing to do with contractors or parts, but entirely down to the perverse priorities and decision making of the current WSR board.

    And somehow this is the right person to lead the WSR?
     
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  7. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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    Yes, four plinths needed with interconnecting ductwork for power and controls. Usually installed as part of the initial groundworks while waiting for the equipment to be delivered.
     
  8. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    Oh my...
    The WSR management are being decried by certain posters for wanting something a bit more heritage if possible.
    The same (generic group of (maybe not exactly every one)) posters who decried the GSWR management for wanting something a bit less heritage at Broadway.
    Smacks a bit of double standards.

    (Cue pages of posts telling me how I'm wrong and how I'm a WSR management stooge (which I'm not - I'm just an interested observer who has spent a fair few bob on weekly season tickets on the WSR whilst on holiday at Doniford)).
     
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  9. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I just can't bring myself to think that this semaphore v colour light business really was the reason as it would be perhaps the most ridiculous explanation of the delay.

    When heritage and modern interface there is no way that you can expect the historical version to prevail. For example, on the Bluebell extension to East Grinstead colour lights are in place and here is a Railway with probably the strongest record on heritage railways in the country.
     
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  10. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    I think there is a world of difference between the design of a station building and a safety critical level crossing going in and out of a main road.

    But then look at the 'reasons' for evicting the S&DRT.

    It is ridiculous and if true I think it demonstrates how unfit the current management is.
     
  11. Snifter

    Snifter Well-Known Member

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    Not at all. I will however draw your attention to the word "possible". In any project, the key items are time, cost and quality. Sometimes, heritage doesn't fit into that jigsaw.
     
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  12. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    @Monkey Magic - Tick
    @Snifter - Tick

    I wonder how long before I can call "House".

    I wasn't naming names - but if the cap fits...
     
  13. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    you are right however the GWSR had control as it was spending its own money , this instance it is Somerset County Council funded and installed . Given the risk to the continued operation of the railway to mess so much with the plan in hindsight you really do have to question the wisdom of it. all of which now ramps up the pressure on Frank as project lead to get it right
     
  14. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    Don't get me wrong. I do think a mistake was made in delaying the installation, which now impacts on potential income in hopefully the last year of staycations.
    But I can absolutely understand (and support) the question of "Could we do something a bit more heritage?" being asked. Especially as it's in plain view of the end of Minehead Station.

    For certain posters it's just "another stick".
     
  15. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    Not really. I note that you haven't actually engaged with the criticism and actually explained why it is wrong. You've drawn a spurious comparison between two different things and are calling them the same. So how exactly is it the same?

    Saying 'tick' isn't an argument.
     
  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I get that but it would take a nanosecond to get an answer on that one. And given the opportunity to do your heritage bit at all the other locations why on earth pause something that was in train? It's almost as daft as saying that the WSR is a GWR line and so anything else is not welcome - incoming charters excepted.
     
  17. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    Can anyone give me an example of a recent level crossing installation on a busy road/station entrance that has used semaphores? If it is something that is being done regularly around the country then it would make sense - it would be tried tested and not deviating from established recent practice. If it not something that is being done it seems a bizarre heritage hill to plant a flag, especially given all the other issues that the WSR faces.
     
  18. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    IIRC the reason that the original Seaward Way LC installation included a C/L Down Inner Home (rather than semaphore) was the concern about trying to maintain the number of signal wires what would have to pass under the road if it were to be done mechanically. The alternative of working all the signal by machines was dismissed (as is the case with the Down Home and the Up Advanced Starting) because of the problems with sourcing (and subsequent maintenance spares) for the number required.
     
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  19. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    I have no desire to engage where I see bully boy tactics being employed.
    I am utterly surprised and impressed that anyone with any connection and information actually does.
     
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  20. Bayard

    Bayard Well-Known Member

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    Other railways survived without such a grant.
     
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