West Somerset Railway General Discussion

2999 was announced as staying until August when she was announced for the gala.

 

7828 has arrived back in Minehead today, SA Smith & WSR have posted on facebook.

Was it boiler repairs the engine had? If so, has the ticket been reset?

 

Firebox repairs, and no the ticket has not been reset. Still out for full overhaul in late 2028.

 

What is the future for coal?[ Ah the elephant in the room. There isn't a future for coal. Enjoy it while you can.

 

Well you can always have a ride behind D7018 instead (newly returned to operation following transmission repairs. First solo run for passenger use was a charter train on Saturday, where we got to ride the full length of the line from the triangle platform to Minehead.
https://depg.org/2025/05/16/weekly-roundup-11-may-25/

 

I expect the results of operation with an oil burner on the NYMR ( when / if it happens) will be the subject of much interest from many heritage railways. The long term use of diesel-hydraulic locos isn't really practical. I well remember the problems that Laira had. The fitters were never short of work!

 

I expect the boys and girls at DEPG may disagree with you there.

 

Paid a quick WSR visit yesterday when I saw on the cameras that the Saint - a loco I love and haven't had enough runs behind - was out. Certainly wasn't disappointed, even more atmospheric in the murky morning conditions too.

Also extremely impressed by how quickly an early 45-minute delay (not sure of the cause, it affected the first service out of Lydeard with 9351 and 2999 was held at Williton a long time for it) was recovered. I know that timetable offers lengthy turnaround times at each end, but even considering that, there was some very swift work to get the return trips close to back on time.

Quick question: would anyone be able to help me identify which locos the boilers at the front of Williton shed come from? There was some steam from the one nearest the running line yesterday I think. And also did I spot a green saddle tank tucked round the back of the shed at the Minehead end? Help identifying that would be welcome too unless I imagined it!

 

I should say wait for that next journal as all will be revealed there... But looking from the station we have
from the left,
Hawthorn Leslie, Swanscombe No4
80064
1466
Hunslet Austerity, 7964 Mechanical Navies


The one on the very far left away from the others is Peckett Caliban.
Ian

 

Thanks Ian, much appreciated. Great to see so much going on across so many projects at Williton at both ends of the yard.

 

But the new 'p.way' yard at Washford still looked pretty empty. . . .

<ducks and runs for cover>

 

Haha. You are not keeping up with the news!

 

Is there a WSR loco roster anywhere?

If not does anyone know when Lady of Legend is running between now & Tuesday

Many thanks

 

The cause of the delay was a bridge strike by an out of gauge road vehicle, but fortunately the bridge won. The bridge had to be fully checked before running could resume.

Frank Courtney

 

What news is that ?

 

Washford yard is now leased to the trust.
Ian

 

Ah well, we knew that anyway, I thought you were talking about new news

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xgv51le5po

"Funding bid for heritage railway link rejected"

No great surprise really. The bit about "the railway connection would allow students to access the sixth form facilities in Taunton" - the station is well over a mile from any of the colleges and unis, but the bus stops a lot closer. Why would anyone use a train when the bus is quicker, cheaper and closer?

 

I refer honourable members to the answer I gave some moments ago…

 

"Rachel Gilmour, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, raised the issue with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander in the House of Commons on 15 May.

She said people in Tiverton and Minehead face "many challenges when it comes to transport connectivity" and that the railway connection would allow students to access the sixth form facilities in Taunton and boost tourism."

Very valid comment, but I would love to know what connectivity she thinks the residents of Minehead would gain over the 28 bus, and the relevance of Tiverton to any rail connection to Taunton.