Wsr autumn steam gala 3-6 oct 2013

And rightly so. Selfishly, I'm fine: I'm there on Thursday and get all four Manors, and on Friday I'm off to the Nene Valley Diesel Gala. But there has to be a really good logical reason for one of the main attractions to not be in use for effectively 25% of the event it's co-headlining.

So yep, that is a moan on behalf of anyone who can only attend on the Friday.

Doesn't stop me being extremely excited about this event. Since getting back into railways properly last summer, Manors have become my favourite steam class, and the performances of 7827 in particular and 7828 have been key to that. So four of them, plus the quirk of the Talyllyn loco AND the Castle is a thrilling line-up. Just hope I can squeeze in everything I want to as I won't be able to get out of work and get there before lunchtime on the Thursday. Detailed loco rosters therefore eagerly awaited.

 

I was planning to attend Friday! Trains to and from London are quicker on Friday, and the bus times between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard are more convenient both ways too. Ho hum! Looks like I'll be going Saturday then.

 

Are there freight trains running on the Thursday and Friday with loco allocations ?

 

Thursday 9351 departing MD at 09.00 and 4160 departing BL 17.40
Friday 4160 departing MD at 09.00 and 7812 departing BL at 17.40

 

Thanks for the info' !

Just about to order my ticket and timetable/roster

 

I already have my tickets, just waiting on the timetable.roster which they obviously cannot print yet. This will be my first WSR gala so hoping it is a good 'un. Planning on 2 days riding the trains and 2 days on the lineside.

 

From WSR's Facebook page:

The Autumn Steam Gala Souvenir Programmes including the full working timetables and loco diagrams have just arrived from the printers. We are busy getting envelopes stuffed and all pre-ordered copies out in this afternoon's post!


http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/product.php/780/34/autumn_steam_gala_programme_2013

Steve

 

The good news is that all four "Manors" are shown as scheduled to work on Friday 4th. The souvenir programme can also be ordered via www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk.

 

Are 5029 and 9351 out Friday as well ?

Thanks!

 

Thanks Pete. Yes they are as are 4160 and 6960. Hope that helps.

 

Can anyone from WSR tell me how to contact the SEPT?

 

I'm not sure who is the current SEPT secretary (the previous incumbent, Justin, has left the employ of the WSR Plc) so I suggest contacting the General Manager, Paul Conibeare, paul.gm@wsrail.net (or by phone 01643 704996) The GM is a member of SEPT.

Steve

 

The "loco roster by day" still does not include 7827 for Friday. Let's hope that the souvenir programme is correct.

For 3850 fans, the loco is being allowed one "token" working, double heading the last but one departure from MD on Sunday with 6960.

Is it just me or are the WSR Gala days getting shorter? The first departure on Saturday is 8:45 MD, 9:00 BL, and Sunday is 9:50 from both ends.

 

The brochure does indeed show 7827 out on the Friday, despite what the loco roster by day pdf shows. On the pdf 7812 is listed twice! Seeing 7827 on the roster for Friday made my mind up for going then, when it's easier and quicker to get there by public transport than on Saturday. I just hope the brochure's correct and it is working!

 

Sparsely populated services maybe have been dropped? Since 2011 Saturday's have started around 9 from each end. Are there any goods workings Saturday?

 

The goods is Thursday and Friday only.

 

When I started going to the WSR galas on a regular basis, weekday services used to start at 9:00 and weekend at 8:00. In the last couple of years the start has got later, with Thursday moving back and now Friday and Sunday following suit. I wouldn't have said that the first Sunday service from BL was sparsely populated, although it tended to be the only one where I'd manage to find a seat.

 

Typically last year's ASG I couldn't attend Saturday and this year's SSG on either Saturday where they have ran goods, as soon as I can go back on a Saturday they have been dropped! Are the non stop workings still planned to run Saturday?

 

If you chaps were lucky enough to see the crew rosters you'd notice that the first book on times are 05.30 in the morning. In this day and age it's a struggle to find volunteers to work through the night to prep loco's on "shed turns" to permit earlier starts. As with any other organisation the railway also needs to be mindful of the working time directive. If only we had more volunteers in the loco department and more volunteer guards then we could do a better job.