WSR Spring Steam Gala Fri 28th April to Mon 1st May

Looking forward to this weekend!

I see Erlestoke Manor and Taw Valley have arrived safely and that Lady of Legend was out on test the other day.

 

All locomotives have now arrived and are fit to run. 9466 underwent another successful test run yesterday. All sets are now shunted and formed and for those who aren't on Facebook, I've copied over the final set liveries for you.

Two busy days of shunting later and we are now able to confirm the coaching sets for the upcoming Spring Steam Spectacular. Pictured is the Goods Train, and as promised this is fully formed of 1940s era liveried vehicles. This Goods is fully fitted and for the first time in a long while at the WSR, you'll be able to ride in the Brake Vans.

Other sets are as follows -
Set A - Total 5 vehicles. Mostly Chocolate and Cream with Crimson and Cream Buffet in the middle. Includes Buffet and accessible coach.

Set B - Total 5 vehicles. Full Maroon Set, includes Buffet and accessible coach.

Set C - Total 5 vehicles. Mixed 3 x Chocolate and Cream plus 2 x Crimson and Cream (at MD end). Includes accessible coach.

Set DQB - Total 6 vehicles. 4 Maroon Quantock Belle vehicles at TN end, 2 Chocolate and Cream at MD end.

Set E - Total 3 vehicles. 2 Crimson and Cream MK1s, plus PMV S1464.

Goods - Total 8 vehicles. Formed fully of pre-BR liveried vehicles, fully fitted.

 

Looks very good, Seb, esp set E.
Is there a pic of the goods train?
Which Facebook page?

 

WSR Gala Planning Team news | Facebook

 

Thanks Seb, will set C have a buffet in the brake or no facilities on this rake?

Tickets and breakfast booked!

 

No buffet on this set at all unfortunately.

 

I assume the Choc & Cream coaches in Set DQB are for the non dining passengers?

Cheers

 

And following on from this ... if I've read tomorrow's timetable correctly, the Saint is on the DQB set all day (bar the early run)? So does that mean there are only 2 coaches for non-dining accomodation for each Saint run? That could get quite busy...

 

There's also the QB buffet coach, and, I believe, the FO will be available for general seating if not required for dining.

 

Just on my way home after a fantastic day. All seemed to run mostly to plan bar 5199 sailing through Stogumber on the 9.20 from Minehead. Later I noticed the board at Stogumber had the train as a non stop so may have just been a timetable typo but I think it caught a few out. 34027 made hard work of Washford bank on the last train of the day with one noticeably long slip.

Many thanks to everyone involved in the planning and operation and hope it's a successful event.

 

Taw Valley slipping on a bank? She never does that at home!

 

Here's my footage of the opening day of the Spring Steam Spectacular. The highlights were Lady of Legend sounding good at both sides of Crowcombe Bank as well as the double headed Manors and a sprightly Pannier in the form of 9466. I hope you enjoy the video.

 

The video puts a different complexion on the WSR to some portrayals of the line and does credit to the volunteers who keep the line ship-shape. A good video showing how busy WSR staff and volunteers have been over the winter. Complemented by the Spring scenery the rollins stock looked well tuned out. It was pleasing to see 9466 and home loco 9351, the footplate crews has a full roster it appears.

 

A great couple days at the lineside and onboard. The delays on the Saturday didn't have any impact on our enjoyment with plenty of classic spring weather on display in the afternoon and evenings. Well done to those who were involved.

 

Thanks for posting this, some really nice shots there, especially the one from Vellow looking towards the Quantocks. I reckon I was on one or two of those trains.

Yes there were delays on Sat but I thoroughly enjoyed my visits pm Sat and Sun and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Thanks to one and all who put this event on and, as I always seem to say about the WSR - it's the WSR, and it's worth it.

 

First visit to a WSR gala today & I thoroughly enjoyed my day

I will be back for more galas & normal operating days

Well done to all those involved in organising this event, I hope it was a success for the railway

 

From WSR Facebook page.
Timetable update for Monday:

Spring Steam Spectacular Update

Due to coal supply issues we are running a slightly amended timetable tomorrow.

The updated version can be found here https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/userfiles/userfiles/file/V9_WTT_SSG_2023(1).pdf

 

If you roster a coal guzzling spam can you need to order an extra bag or two..........

 

Two more lorry loads were ordered but have not arrived! Ffos-y-fan closing has not helped matters. We are extremely grateful to our friends at the L&B, SDR and ESR for selling us some of their coal so the Gala could run today.

 

I was at the gala on Fri/Sat/Sun and thoroughly enjoyed my time at the event.

Enjoyed watching the trains passing Stogumber & Williton for a couple of hours at each location on Sat/Sun afternoon.

Thanks to the staff on the freight train for allowing me to travel in the brake van from Blue Anchor - Minehead on Saturday evening. The footplate crew & the 2 guards couldn’t have been more friendly & welcoming.

Same goes for the station staff & signalman who I spoke to at Blue Anchor on Sunday evening.

Thank you to everyone concerned for putting it on & for the efforts behind the scenes etc.

Hopefully the event does well financially.

Kind regards

Ben