WSR Mixed Traction Weekend 10-12 June 2011

Brief update at:
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/article.php?xArt=112
and at:
http://www.wsr.org.uk/mtw2011.htm

Steve

 

http://www.wsr.org.uk/mtw2011.htm now has timetables for each of the three days. Oh, and a downloadable PDF of the event leaflet.

Steve

 

On Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June, First Great Western will be operating through services between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard WSR. The first and last trains run from/to Bristol Temple Meads.
More details available soon.

 

With every update and snippet of news regarding this gala being about diesel locomotives, it seems strange that the event
is not advertised as a Diesel Gala. As I see it, out of the 11 locomotives running, the only steam loco is the 2-6-2T 4160. <BJ>

 

Good point.

Events featuring diesel motive power are popular and I'm glad the WSR puts on such events. But I would like this event (and the Late Summer Weekend event) to be called a Diesel Gala and be moved to the early Spring or late Autumn when the WSR doe not normally offer a weekend train Ssrvice.

The misleading use of moniker "Mixed Traction" annoys me and no doubt those people attracted to the Railway - the diesel fans don't like the steamy interrupting their day whilst the usual visitors out for a day on the Railway that shouts "STEAM TRAINS FOR ALL SEASONS" in its publicity blurb may wonder if their satnav is playing up.

I am told the diesel locos have no steam heat generators and so cannot be used on the WSR steam-heated coaching stock at the (colder) shoulders of the season. Hence this technical excuse give us the diesel jamborees in June and early September.

With a dominant diesel-loving presence within the event planning team I don't think much will change for the foreseeable...

Just a personal view.

Steve

 

I do hope that they will be publishing the loco diagrams before the event...and not just in the programme

 

This very recent announcement may help a bit:

The departures scheduled for Class 59 haulage during the Mixed Traction Weekend have been released. Although the following list falls short of actual loco allocation as shown in the Souvenir Programme, the Special Events Planning Team appreciate folks may like to plan their visit so have announced the following departures will be Class 59 hauled. On Friday 10 June from Bishops Lydeard at 8am, 11am, 7pm (light engine only) and from Minehead at 5pm; then on Saturday 11 June from Bishops Lydeard at 10am and 2pm and from Minehead at 12pm and 4pm; and finally on Sunday 12 June from Bishops Lydeard at 12pm and from Minehead 10am and 2pm. As always subject to availability and possible change. More about the Mixed Traction Weekend here

Steve

 

Ta for that WSW.....I hope that more is available nearer the time so planning of where and when to change trains and onto what loco's. If anything, with respect, I hope to avoid the 59's cause every Tom Dick and Harry might be on them.

 

I suspect little more will be freely available. So to plan your day(s) you'll need the Programme in advance:
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/product.php?xProd=113&xSec=14
It's £3 but with an annoying £1.60 p&p added...

Steve

 

Whilst its not your fault WSW am not impressed that have to pay extra to find out what is happening and/or how to plan my day.

 

Suggestions elsewhere the diagrams will be released next week.

Hopefully WSR have been educated in the need to freely publish diagrams in advance for what is essentially a diesel gala if they want to attract fare paying passengers.
There is my three day rover hanging in the balance on the matter.

Can think of atleast one website they should appear on in due course.

 

Good to know you will be spending three days on the WSR! Even if the WSR to not freely publish the diagrams it seems you and others will get the info you need for free. So everyone's a winner and no need for you to balance anything. Phew!

Steve

 

Roster now on wnxx forum .

Sure it will be available shortly on PLEG.

 

Please be patient. The WSR are still dealing with a generation of folk who freely put their hands into their pockets to donate money to the railway.

How weird is that ? <BJ>

 

Wonderfully weird BJ!!!!!!!!!! long may it continue - the railway needs all the support it can get but I understand there are 2 sides to the coin and why people would like information but hopefully people will continue to provide the financial support in many ways as they do now DH

 

Joking aside, buying a working timetable is a fantastic way to plan your visit and at the same time, make a donation to the railway.
The quality of previous issues has been excellent and makes a very good souvenir of the event. Enjoy the gala. <BJ>

 

Update: D1010 aka D1035 failed today, its Sunday diagrams to be covered by D6566.

Also, more work for the Rat: the first Dunster Shuttle on Sun 12 June will depart from Minehead at 10.40am hauled by the Class 03 shunter which will be replaced by the Class 25 no D7523 for the rest of the day working the 11.40am, 12.40pm, 1.40pm, 2.40pm and 3.40pm departures from Minehead.

Steve

 

Good day out yesterday. Only slight disappointment - the 08.30 ex BL was not in the online timetable. My friend and I decided late to go, staying overnight at Taunton and buying WTT at BL first thing in the morning so we could plan our day. I was sad to hear D9526 (very much my favourite diesel) leaving at 08.30, just as we got onto the platform, and not doing any more trips that day over the line except Dunster shuttles. Had we known that services started at 08.30 and not 09.00 as appeared in the leaflet and on line, we'd have got up earlier!

Apart from that moan, thanks to WSR special events team for another good show!

 

Apologies to all for not showing the 8.30am dep from Lydeard on wsr.org.uk Altho it was shown in the latest (internal) WTT it was not clear if it was ECS or not, and sadly, no information was forthcoming (but then I admit I didn't ask). Comms with SEPT are better but not perfect by any means.

Steve

 

I just had a look through the pics on wsr.org.uk and it looks like it was a good event! I would have come along myself if I didn't already have plans. I noticed in a few of the pics 59206 and 59001 have a few extra horns attached, anyone have any idea what these were for?