West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Unfortunately, however authoritative the source on the railway providing the quotes, mistakes can still creep in. I offer in evidence this quote from the Yorkshire Post today:

By Liana Jacob
Published 20th Aug 2023, 14:05 BST
Updated 20th Aug 2023, 16:29 BST

“When Harry arrived for the first time to go to school at Hogwarts, he arrived at Hogsmeade Station which was in Goathland. He got greeted by Hagrid on the platform.

“More recently, though it’s not so obvious, we’ve been featured in the latest Tom Cruise film Mission Impossible, this was filmed not in Goathland but Levisham.”

It has taken £10 billion a year to keep the railway operating over the years and the Lottery Heritage Fund helped with renewal of bridges, new learning facilities at Goathland and funding educational projects.

However, Mr Bruce explains why it is important to keep the railway running and what he hopes for the future.

Britain's most expensive railway! And even though the piece was updated in some way, they still missed the glaring howler!

 

Even with all the relevant interlocking, there is always a potential for a 'problem' of some sort against which mechanical and/or electrical controls are no protection.

(Based on my latest 2021 diagram info) Point 12 is bolted by FPL 15. Track-circuit AL extends from (roughly) the toe of the points for some distance in the Down direction on both routes. In rear of the points is the break between TCs AL and AF and in rear of that break is a ground signal with route indicator worked by any one of a number of levers.

To take as an example of one possible 'hiccup' (but probably not what happened this time ) an engine could come out of (say) the Main platform road and stand in rear of the ground signal waiting for the signalman to reverse 12 so that the engine could move onto the Bay road and thence onto the Turntable siding. The engine would be occupying AF (thereby locking signals in its rear eg the Down Inner Home), but it would be clear of AL, so levers 12 and 15 would be 'free'. Then the signalman could pull 15 to unbolt 12 and then start to pull 12 to swing the points. If at that stage the engine were to start to move forward towards the station without authorisation (before the ground signal had been cleared) , then although it would run onto the end of AL the occupancy of AL would be ineffective on lever 12 as it would already be out of its normal position in the frame and moving across to the reverse position, so there would be potential for the leading wheels on the engine to strike the switch blades as they were in motion. But that would a case of 'human error' rather than an interlocking failure.

 

That's what I was thinking. If the points were on the main then, as you describe, no controlled movement would be possible because of the interlocking preventing setting the signals off, so why is the poor signalman apparently getting the blame?

 

I just got round to editing some more video from my visit for the Spring Gala back in April/May. I really enjoyed going back through my footage to put together this one focusing on No.7812 'Erlestoke Manor' and No.7828 'Odney Manor' over the event. I especially enjoyed seeing the pair going through Crowcombe Heathfield non-stop and seeing 7828 from the coast path between Dunster and Blue Anchor.

Hope you enjoy the video - comments and feedback welcome!

 

Two GWR HSTs currently stored at WSR, to be used on service trains on 23/24 September. Different set each day according to WNXXforum.

 

I would be surprised if different sets worked each day. I may be proved wrong, but I would expect the set stored at Minehead to be used both days, as to use the set stored at Bishops Lydeard would involve early morning/late afternoon ecs runs to/from Minehead.

 

I tend to agree. The (excellent) Taunton Trains website states that “one of the sets will be used”.
Incidentally, the WSR AGM takes place at Bishops Lydeard on 23rd September. Coincidence?

 

Would it not be a good idea to use alternate sets as a way of keeping both of them in ‘warm’ storage rather than just use one set?
Just to keep things like electrical systems suffering from damp.

 

I would tend to agree, but I've read elsewhere that they will only be staying about 6 weeks while Laira decommission the Cross Country sets

 

Rather helpfully the website doesnt show the yellow timetable or have any news about this event

 

Fair point Ian, but we all know nothings so simple on todays modern railway

 

Where are you looking..... Its here....https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/timetables
Ian C

 

Thanks

Wasnt there at lunchtime

I may well go

 

23rd September was meant to be DEPG 50th weekend. I doubt they have called the AGM at this short notice.

 

Yes they have. Saturday 23rd September, 11am at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall.

 

I don't know what they will talk about at the AGM but to the their credit the locos, rolling stock and stations are very well kept. A fair proportion of this can be attributed to the WSR volunteers, especially the stations. Hats off to all concerned.

 

And to note that the Trust and Association AGMs take place at the same venue on the same day, staggered across the day to simplify attendance for those with multiple memberships etc.
Ian C

 

Yes. It's looking good. A few recent pictures here:
https://www.facebook.com/1357924244...jyPP9mQ23qcApC35oodyEqBLMAzxW8xX9d2aUgXj7h6l/
Ian C

 

Getting all the groups there on the same day should provide plenty to chat about. There is still a lot of work to get focused on.

The HST off of BL makes sense. It's in up siding one at the moment so it's straight out and straight back. The extra service will hopefully help on the day.