WSR SSG 2024 May 3rd to 6th

9466 powers away from Williton seen near Doniford.

 

1054 thunders towards Crowcombe Heathfield on a glorious Saturday morning.

 

Golden Jessie with 6695 tucked in behind in a unusual position !

 

I think it is a function of how it is balanced rather than the valve timing.

If you look at a 56xx, the balance weights on the driving axle are large and opposite the coupling rod crank pin. That is a sign that the coupling rod (visible) and connecting rod (hidden, between the frames) are in phase, i.e. mounted on the same side of the axle; and have a single large balance weight to balance both. The more normal arrangement on an inside cylinder loco is for the coupling rod and connecting rod on a given side to be opposite each other, so they partially balance each other's rotating mass and therefore only need smaller balance weights for the residual balance.

The arrangement on a 56xx has the advantage, AIUI, that it avoids a twisting motion across the axle box, which helps with bearing life. But the downside is you get more fore-and-aft motion. For the original usage of the locos hauling coal wagons up and down the valleys between colliery and port that probably didn't matter much, but it makes locos built that way uncomfortable for passenger work.

The other locos notably balanced that way were some of Stroudley's locos, notably the E1 tank engines. They were built as goods engines but early in life some were trialled on passenger work until complaints by passengers took them off such work. When some were rebuilt in the 1930s as E1R 0-6-2Ts for passenger usage on the North Devon & Cornwall Junction, the balancing was adjusted to a more conventional disposition.

Tom

 

There’s a train from Minehead apparently stuck on the point leading into the platform.

 

Just taking water!

 

Oh, yes. It’s Jessie. Phew. Thought, derailment.

 

Looks to have been a superb event, wish I could have made this one - great selection of locomotives. Also, there's something about Somerset in springtime!

 

I was present at the gala on Fri, Sat & Sunday and would like to say thank you to all those involved with putting the event together.

The trains & stations seemed really busy, so hopefully the event has been a big success.

I have to say I was really impressed with “Jessie”. I thought she was great fun to travel behind & I hope she’s able to make a return visit sometime.

I am already planning on returning next year so will hopefully see you then.

Kind regards

Ben

 

As mentioned above the WSR really is a wonderful place in springtime. Here is our video from the weekend which hopefully shows the WSR at its best.

 

I had a fantastic day on Friday, coming away wishing I was there all weekend.

Many thanks to everyone at the railway, especially @SebWelsh and co for organising what will rank as one of the best events of the year.

Look forward to hearing details of the 150 event in July with No.20 and potentially 6880.

 

Had a thoroughly enjoyable day at the WSR yesterday (unfortunately I could only go for 1 day this year), everything was great, thanks to all at WSR and SebWelsh for the great flow of information in the lead up to the gala

 

Here's my video from an excellent gala.....

 

Great day yesterday with my daughter, the kids for a quid offer was a brilliant idea. Highlight was Jessie on the last run with 9466 but all locos were well turned out. Crucially everything seemed to run to time and trains turned up where and when they should have so we were able to jump on and off at various stations and not worry about hanging around or missing something. Looking forward to next year and hopefully something else industrial.

 

If you wanted fore and aft movement, 9466 with the full rake, sat behind the engine and our teas were jumping off the table with each stoke of acceleration. Agree with all comments, wonderful weekend with only the problems with 6695 Sunday and Monday.
Has anyone else noticed the extremely slow loading speed of the web site, I have tried it at home/work/phone, so not my kit?

 

https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/national-preservation-website.1423813/

Been like it for a week.

 

I probably chose the worse day for weather by going Sunday as I wanted to see the 1054+9351 double header which was pulled due to the issue with 6695, ah well these things happen!

Interesting breakfast layout in the morning off BL, two guys had their own tables (one on a table of 2 and one on a table of 4) while my party of 2 booking had to share with another guy, these were pre-set on a list before we turned up, luckily though we had an interesting conversation with the gent along the line to Minehead Excellent service from the QB staff.
No walk ons were accepted even though I did hear a few asking, may have been short on stock? Best to book!

Seemed Jessie was very popular and gave some spirited performances, thought Mayflower looked at home and can never be unimpressed by 6990.
1054+6695 looked a great combo of two 0-6-2s, must say I was surprised this wasn't a planned pairing. 7828+6990 together looked great, both very shiny.

Time keeping was very good Sunday, not easy on such a timetable which was interesting trying something different with both MD-WN and WN-BL trains amongst the full line services, thanks to everybody involved!

 

Our first visit for 13 years and we had a brilliant long weekend, huge thanks to everyone involved! The railway was very welcoming and all the stations were beautifully presented, we managed to visit every station except Dunster and Norton Fitzwarren over the weekend and a fair few lineside locations. We spent Saturday lineside/stations around Watchet, Washford and Blue Anchor. Sunday travelling, starting at Minehead first thing then time at Williton and Bishops Lydeard during our round trip then back to Minehead in the evening. Monday we we did Stogumber and Crowcombe Heathfield before heading home. Hopefully it won't be 13 years before we can return!

My video below, edited in give or take time of day sequence and forms a journey along the line from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard and returning to Minehead.

 

West Somerset Railway increase sales numbers over 50% for their Spring (west-somerset-railway.co.uk) - extremely good, considering the day rover fares were the same price last year too.

 

The WSR with all the stops pulled out. Good to see, an excellent choice of locomotives with the freight trains making a well turned out addition. It appears to have been a success with well patronized trains. Full marks to the organisers, staff and volunteers who worked hard to make it successful and to those who keep the stations well kept.
.https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/0...50-increase-in-passenger-numbers-to-gala.html