West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Thank you, it was Porlock I was thinking of. My father's Ford Prefect (100E) and later the Ford Consul both managed Porlock (but not in 3rd - that was top gear!) and later my own 15year old Hillman Minx was quite happy. The only time I've wimped out on Porlock Hill was going down it on a bike - scary! If it only had some bends it would have been less daunting.

Steve B

 

I enjoy Porlock Hill and it’s only twice it’s made me nervous. Once was seeing a fuel lorry come down with glowing brakes, the other following a totally overloaded Micro up the hill without room to overtake.


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I knew that at the time and it wasn't a comfort!
Earlier that day we'd gone down the road from Lynton to Lynmouth at some speed (the bends in that road could lull you into a sense of security because you couldn't see what was ahead), which had the effect of overheating the brake blocks. Nice smell of burning rubber, and a load of black stuff on the wheel rims which shouldn't be there. Great fun, if somewhat risky, but then we had to climb up the other side to get to Porlock. All this on a 3 speed town bike on a trip from Ilfracombe to Woking.

Steve B

 

I have had to get out and walk with my Uncle when my dad tried going over the Wrynose pass in a Reliant 3 wheeler.

For those of a nervous disposition, the Wrynose and its compatriot the Hardknott pass are a challenge in any vehicle. Porlock is for Wimps.
To be found in the Lake District between Ambleside and Ravenglass.

Personally, my worst time on this route was in a Ford Capri.
With the length of bonnet you could not see where the road was, especially when going between the boulders.
The best vehicle was a VW minibus. Ideal, all round vision and the one I had was an Auto as well.

 

I remember a cartoon in a cycling magazine years ago (might have been Johnny Helms) with two prisoners hung up in chains in some dark dungeon. “Suffer?” says one to the other “you don’t know the meaning of the word until you have been over Hardknott and Wrynose in the teeth of a gale”.

Tom

 

Tried Bealach na Ba on your bike ?

 

Perhaps time to get back to topic?

The gala over the past weekend seemed to be busy, which can only be good news. I went yesterday. Had a good day, although the timetable fell apart from the word go. We planned to start at BL, with the Caley tank to NF, but it was running so late that we opted for 75069 to BA, had a pleasant interlude, waiting for 7828 to arrive from MD and travelled behind her to WN. There we hoped to catch the 13.24 behind the Caley tank down to BL and NF, but although loco and stock were at WN they disappeared into some sidings, not to return for nearly two hours! None of the staff seemed to know what was going on, which didn't impress me.

Anyway, it was good that the gala happened, and we had a nice day out, helped by the range of beers available in the buffet car!

 

There was an issue with the spark arrestor on 419 which was a shame. The chaps in overalls worked hard to resolve the problem which was preventing free steaming. I thought it was an excellent event and the cooked breakfast provided a great start to the day. Well done Seb, an outstanding effort and a great example of what can be done where there is a will to succeed.

 

I thought it was an excellent event. Very well planned and thought out. I was around for three days and all seemed busy. Had a great branchline experience with the two coach train from NF to WN with 419 then the three coaches WN to MD behind 5199. Timekeeping went awry but people worked hard to keep things running and on Sunday, at least, everything just slipped an hour so it was back in step. No waiting at loops.
Whilst the short trains were full of atmosphere, it needs to be thought about what happens if 100 people want to climb on. I heard some non-enthusiasts loudly wondering why they just couldn't put on an extra coach when it was so crowded.
All in all, an excellent event and very well done indeed to the team who worked so hard. You did a great job and it great to have so much young blood around. This picture, for me, illustrates this. A young crew, a promising future.
http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/snap.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2022/05/111
Ian C

 

Good to see the reports of a successful event. Comments have been made about the new volunteers - and their ages - which can be only good for the WSR. The organisers obviously worked hard towards the events and are too be congratulated. I have some experience dealing with line side fires so I realise how they can make a well thought out timetable result in tatters.
The WSR seems to be making good, steady progress now and there appears less friction in certain quarters: perhaps those unhappy with the current management have moved on or made alternative arrangements.

 

I look forward to the next gala! They do a lot for morale.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

That's good from the management's point of view but is it good for the railway? What's the latest on the amount of money needed to make good the backlog of maintenance and where that money might come from?

 

Exactly; it is not that there is no longer anything to complain about, it's just that everyone has seen that there is no point in doing so. The problems are still there. In the real world a problem ignored is not a problem solved.

 

Well not ignored, rather quietly and effectively dealt with without the protagonists feeling they have to report everything on here....
Ian C

 

I'm very glad to hear that the WSR's funding problems have now been sorted, that it now has secured all its required grant funding and now carries only a small amount of debt. I'm surprised that the facts have not been given a little more publicity, though.

 

I can't help reflecting on how some earlier complaints (and indeed complainants) were "dealt with" by the WCR management, sometimes involving lawyers' fees.

 

It appears that such methods are not unique in heritage circles. NP has recorded many in the past concerning other lines.