West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Sorry to dig up an old post, but It'd seem to have been a Roper hot air engine, (arguably an internal combustion engine).Roper the Inventor was also possibly the first ever person to die on a motorbike!

https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co208033/hot-air-engine this possibly be an identical one taken from Weston Old Junction. Built by Fox, Walker and Co of Bristol. It was displayed on the platform at Newton Abbot after being replaced. Although given how little information there is about the item on the webpage, it could be unrelated, but it seems to fit what was mentioned in the GWR magazine in the 1920s.

 

I don't think the water was ever taken directly from the steam. There is a well under where the water tower was and I am sure the water was pumped from the well.
Ian

 

Flying Scotsman and support coach have safely arrived at the WSR from Didcot. [BJ]

 

The farmer who blocked the line with a mudslide has been prosecuted

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/david-mitchell-convicted-for-covering-road-with-potatoes-and-silt

https://www.somersetcountygazette.c...-james-mitchell-sentenced-pollution-offences/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2j5njy81zo

 

I note that he was charged with polluting the river. There was also much mention of the blockage of the road. Yet I can see little if any mention of damage to, and blockage of, the railway.

 

These reports are of a criminal case. If there are also civil cases, e.g. compensation claims for the damage & disruption, these might've been or might yet be settled out of court.

 

I noted that the farmer was said to have already paid out for remediation and compensation, prior to the court case.

 

Indeed, the report is primarily of what the EA have said, and where the criminal liability lay - note the emphasis on the soil in the river. What's slightly disappointing, given that the timing of this hearing was probably known and the reporting is a cut & paste of press releases, is that the WSR seemingly didn't have their own release available, with a useful picture, welcoming the enforcement action and making clear that the impacts go wider than just the criminal liability.

 

I see mention of the son, also involved.

"Reading between the lines" it appears that the son may have been in charge on the ground, and cocked up.
But the father accepted responsibility because he was in overall charge.

 

Then again, the railway might currently have good relationship with the farmer or the landowner, and wish to remain on good terms.