West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I would suggest you can file that one under "local MP raises plausible-sounding but actually basically irrelevant question and thereby gains valuable column inches in local newspaper that makes it look like she is fighting for her constituents" shock.

Tom

 

The proposed plan was to make a case for trains only between Bishops Lydeard and Taunton. We are approaching the 50th anniversary of the first such plan.

Students would therefore need to catch a regular WSR service train or a 28 bus as far as BL, then a GWR service train to Taunton Station, then a bus to the town centre and then walk from there to college.

Alternatively a direct 28 morning bus runs from Minehead serving both Taunton college campuses. They even offer reduced student fares.

Rachel Gilmour MP might just need a more convincing argument.

 

How would anyone get a train from Minehead to BL during the closed season ?

 

And in that 50 years, has anyone seriously looked at the case for re-opening Norton Fitzwarren station?

 

Her constituency is Minehead and Tiverton.

I have met Rachel Gilmour and quite liked her.

Robin

 

Would not the needs of the residents of Tiverton be better met by improving whatever public transport exists between that town and Tiverton Parkways station, with adequate rail services to/from Taunton? Totally unconnected surely with anything to do with Minehead to/from Taunton.

Meanwhile, in an alternative Utopia, Norton Fitzwarren station is re-opened as a 'multi-modal transport interface' serving a rebuilt Grand Western Canal

 

The WSR has dodged a bullet here. It is difficult to see how anyone could think that the railway can ever provide a commuter service, let alone the damage this would mean to the heritage infrastructure.We travelled on the railway today. It is in excellent shape, the stations look fantastic and the trains were comfortably filled. People do use it as transport. Today we sat next to a family who had done the watchet to Washford walk and wanted an easy return trip. The railway does what it does very well indeed and it should stick to that, not be looking at carrying students from Minehead to Taunton, that is never going to work.
Ian

 

Brilliant ! Tub boats rule !

 

Frankly, the wish to run a regular service into Taunton reflects only the nostalgia of when the Minehead branch was open. That was the ethos in the 1970s, and I would love to have seen that achieved. However, the world has changed and the WSR having survived some financial crises, we have to face reality. The WSR seems to be settling into a stable existence as a holiday cum enthusiast operation, and best stick with that, setting funds aside for future maintenance requirements. It is a superb line, and it would be an awful shame to risk losing it.

 

A similar conclusion seems to have been reached on the Isle of Purbeck, albeit after spending a considerable sum on the Wareham dream. Sometimes it is good to learn from the experience of others.

 

I know nothing of the situations...but some people never learn.... I wish the circumstances will be resolved for all concerned...

 

For the foreseeable future it is resolved now isn't it?
The Gov 've said they're not willing to fund (and nor is anyone else) even a £137,000 study let alone the likely £6m infrastructure costs. Local politicians will, no doubt, continue to make occasional noises but are probably well aware nothing much else 'll happen during their terms of office.

 

I've noticed in a few videos/photos that in recent weeks the roof has come off the ash shelter at Westridge/BL. Anybody able to say why that is?

 

I enjoyed a day out on the WSR on Wednesday, and was lucky enough to get a ride behind 2999 'Lady of Legend'. Is she at Minehead for the summer?

 

The shed roof was suffering from corrosion of the steelwork and is being replaced. Part of it blew away during Storm Darah last December!

 

Judging by the latest videos people have been uploading to YouTube - the diesel gala has got off to a fairly good start! The WSR seem to have more operational coaches than I thought they had. I knew they had enough for two 6 coach sets, the QB and a couple of spares.

Going by YouTube videos I saw today (Thursday), the five sets seem to be:

Crimson & cream set = 25308 + 4875 + 9278 + 4346 + 4909 + 5025

Maroon set = 3108 + 4876 + 35257 + 4987 + 4449 + 4911

Chocolate & cream set = 4956 + 4884 + 21174 + 4419 + 25323 + 4660

Restaurant set = 35408 + 1909 + 3066 + 1804 + 4435

DMU set = 51880 + 59678 + 51859

 

the Tivvy Bumber would be a much better service if you wanted to bring one back and run it as steam at weekend times. The engine is still stored in a building incase it’s needed

 

There might be some issues around both main line junction and route

 

Shows you that you shouldn't always believe the voices of doom that one reads on here sometimes.

 

Had a great Saturday at the diesel gala, and I got to see quite a few locos I don't usually get to! I am always a little apprehensive about going to diesel galas, because a small minority of diesel enthusiasts often decide to spoil things with their bad behaviour, but happily I didn't witness anyone doing that today.