WSR Grange, Manor & Hall Weekend 27 & 28 July

Locos:

• 6880 Betton Grange
• 6990 Witherslack Hall
• 7812 Erlestoke Manor
• 7828 Odney Manor

More info: https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/view/grange-manor-hall-weekend

 

Massive credit to all involved at the WSR for how they got things back on track after 7828 failed yesterday. I was only able to make it for the afternoon and was told when I went to buy a ticket to be prepared for some potential move replanning as they were temporarily a loco down and with delays to manage. Everything was back on time so quickly, and as far as I could tell in the time I was there the only losses were the Manor double-header being just 7812 and a goods not running. And 7828 was fixed in time for it to take the final down train and - even though yesterday was also my eagerly-awaited first experience of the Grange - it was Odney Manor's LOUD run up Washford bank that turned out to be my highlight.

Just for my notes when I'm collating my pictures, can anyone who was there earlier in the day tell me when 7828 failed and what it was on at the time? I know it was 6990 that came to Minehead on the service from Norton that should've been 7828 but wasn't sure where the switch/rescue happened. And if anyone has a copy or image of the weekend timetable they could share with me for my records that would be great too as I didn't grab it off the website in time.

 

Glad that you had a great time. It was a brilliant weekend.
Timetable below
Ian Coleby

 

7828 took the morning 0925 MD-NF Goods, which was followed by 6990 on the 1000 MD-NF passenger. I was on the train at NF. 7828 was then meant to head the 1200 NF-MD but they could not create a vacuum as far as I am aware, took a long time trying to couple it but eventually put 6990 back on, which was due to go back up on the Goods, and left about 1245 arriving into MD at 1432. The 1430 left approx MD 11 min late behind 7812 yet the incoming 1600 arrival from BL with 6880 was bang on time (crossed at Williton). I was impressed. Big praise to the team for crossing the 1220 MD-BL at Crowcombe with the 1200 NF-MD rather than at the planned Williton - meant that the service to BL wasn't impacted, and I say that as somebody who despite waiting just over an hour at Norton didn't mind waiting at Crowcombe for about another 20mins, it made perfect sense. I did feel for the crew of 7828 as they had filled up with water going toward NF rather than when coming back so that the train could go into platform 2 instead of 1 at BL. Good forward planning.

 

Do you mean 7812 on the 1430 MD-BL or 7828 on the 1635 BL-MD?

 

I decided to go to the Sunday of the event at Saturday 10pm! I was tempted anyway but the weather just made it unmissable! The WSR really is fantastic with being able to turn the engines at either end. Thanks to all involved.

 

7828 on the 1635 for me. But I wasn't on the 1430 so can't vouch for 7812's performance!

And thanks so much for the detailed rundown of the failure and rescue, even more impressed with the WSR's handling of it after reading that.

 

My video from the 4-6-0 weekend, including the double headed run in the evening.....

 

Thank you to all for the positive feedback regarding the operational problem we faced on Sunday. Thank you all for visiting us. JBTEvans has described the situation at NF accurately, additional detail I can add was that a fault with the tender brake cylinder on 7828 was the issue, quickly resolved by the team. Not very often the old girl lets us down.

The service recovery was nothing short of excellent, the operational team pulled together very well. Following a 45 minute delay on the 1200 ex NF, services finished the day 10 late (and that was only due to a lineside fire). We were back on time by 1600.

We were extremely fortunate that we had 7812 ready to go to take over for the 1430 ex MD. I was thoroughly impressed with Guard, Footplate Crews and Signalman at MD for executing a swift and safe 9 minute engine swap, the quickest I have seen it done at our Railway.

All in all a successful weekend helped by excellent weather and competent operators to run the trains. Proud to be a part of it.