West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I will be attending, just got to figure out days. Clashing with Bristol Model show means I have work but is shaping up to be a great event and looking forward to seeing what I can do!

 

No guesses !

 

Picking up an old discussion, I was delighted to receive a copy of this on Friday. Not cheap at £50, but definitely an ornament to grace any railway enthusiast's shelves

 

Some excellent coverage last night on Channel 5's series on Somerset. Well done to those on camera, great ambassadors for the line.

My5 - Somerset: Wonder of the West Country - Season 1 - Episode 1 / Episode 1 (channel5.com)

 

WSR fb page reported their website crashed with the amount of people trying to book dining experiences last night, great to see!!!!!!

 

Thank you indeed, much appreciated. Both for the photograph itself - including the stay on the left hand side which gives scale to the picture and whose metal seems to be fine wether plain or threaded into the copper - but also for explaining what the colours on the inner fire box show.

Could I ask how long it has been in traffic on the WSR with the current boiler water treatment?

And would I be right to assume that the historical scale under the black was from before it came to Somerset?

 

Work is continuing steadily within the WSR Wagon Division with progress recently on three overhaul projects.
Firstly, GWR Fruit C Van no.2823, which was the first rail vehicle purchased by the WSR PLC, has seen the first coat of topcoat applied recently. This van has seen replacement of most of the timber, including 7 of 8 new doors which have required a lot of fettling work get just right. She will be turned out in British Railways Crimson livery for the short BR era Branch Parcels set we are forming. We aim to finish no.2823 this month.
https://www.wsr.org.uk/2024/03/009.jpg

Our gang has also been working at Williton on two vehicles. These are GWR 5 Plank Open no.135744 and GWR Chaired Sleeper Wagon no.100678. The Chaired Sleeper Wagon was initially expected to be little more than a repaint, however on removing the sleepers that were on top the deck this revealed significant corrosion of the plate work. We took the decision to replace the whole deck to future proof this vehicle. This project recently recieved a great boost in receiving the replacement deck plates funded by the WSRA. We hope this wagon can be completed before the Spring Steam Spectacular in May for feature in the 1940s era Goods.
https://www.wsr.org.uk/2024/03/010.jpg

The 5 plank Open no.135744 has seen great progress recently on the metalwork. This has seen numerous thin sections of the top of the solebar cut out and replacement flat bar welded in. We have also fabricated a new angle piece and drilled holes into which the door hinges attach. This project is a longer term one with significant timber work still needed, with the material supplied by the owners the 813 Fund. We anticipate work on this will resume after the Steam Gala in May.
https://www.wsr.org.uk/2024/01/055.jpg

With the Minehead based part of the gang rapidly approaching completion on the Fruit C, thought has turned to which vehicles are tackled next. These have been decided as firstly Vanwide B784676 which requires repair of vandalism damage and replacement of most (if not all) of the Plywood sides. This will also be for the BR Era Parcels Train. This will be followed up by GWR Mink no.139760 in the summer which we hope to fully replank subject to funding by the owners.
https://www.wsr.org.uk/2024/03/011.jpg

More regular updates (usually weekly) can be found on our Facebook page WSR Wagon Division.

 

https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/whats-on-news/iconic-south-west-railway-marks-9178394

A good report, albeit from neighbouring Devon, on the WSR's 150 anniversary. Seems they are doing well and a much happier place without the 'hassle' which has left.
An interesting detail on the line is given by frequent NP contributor Ian Coleby.

 

Left, ?? They did not leave, they were thrown out, in one case, a vile personal campaign was held against one, you seem to have rewritten history, to suit your own view,
by saying its a much happier place you clearly have no compassion for those who, may i remind you were once active senior members of the railway. they were not given due process, , Do you think thats OK ? how would you feel, if someone did that to you.

 

Hi, Seb.
Well done. It sounds like the team are doing a very good job. The sight of a steam hauled goods and parcels train is always a highlight of a gala. It would also be nice to see some local private owner wagons in the train, as the Glos Warks do. For example, Tapp of Dunster, King of CH and BL and many more.
Can I ask which vehicles will be in the planned parcels train?

 

Like this one. This chap had two 12T wagons that roamed WSR rails.
Ian

 

Did they jump or were they pushed?

 

Or one of these.

 

Are those wagons now at the Mid-Hants? [BJ]

 

Talk about being obsessed. No they aren't. The OP is on about private owner wagons from back in GWR days. Most definitely are not in the S&DJRT collection.

 

Brilliant collection. Wessex Wagons was (is?) a great asset.

 

Blimey, I only asked a question. Some people can be so touchy. [BJ]

 

Someone’s 00 gauge layout I’m guessing

 

Mostly. Also some BDMRC.

 

They fought a war to depose the board and take over the WSR and lost. They used Nat Pres for propaganda purposes. (Just like is currently happening with the L&BR.) It will depend on your view of things whether that was good or bad. The WSR seems to have survived and is now starting to thrive again. I don't have any problem with that and hope it goes from strength to strength.