WSR Autumn Steam Gala, Thu 2- Sun 5 October 2014

Must admit, to me this is one not to be missed, with it being a GWR themed gala and the workshops being partially opened at Minehead and Williton just try keeping me away. I know NYMR have a GWR themed gala but I do think a little far even for me.
Regards Paul

 

Just saw a video showing that 238 has made the trip to the WSR rather than 178.

I feel sorry for anybody who has paid £5 to ride in 238 as the interior has not been touched since she left the P&DSR.

 

Are all locos, bar 88, being used on all days? In the past, what locos are in use each day have been listed on at least one of the WSR websites. I might head down there this weekend, but don't really want to turn up and find one of the visitors is being used for shunting at Dunster all day (though I'm guessing this is what 4612 will be doing).

 

http://www.wsr.org.uk/roster.htm

Note the caveat on the page, please.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve. I managed to miss that! Saw the roster page on the plc website, but that doesn't go beyond September at present.

 

A strange comment there. I have recently worked trains with this vehicle and the interior is in good restored ex BR(W) condition.

 

No it's not according to the Gala guide

Don

 

Has it been worked on inside at the SVR this year? From what I could see from the outside nothing looked different at the ASG, although I wasn't paying much attention. If it hasn't, it's still in P&D condition.

EDIT - just seen a video from 19/09/2014 --- it's still in P&D condition. I don't think that is ex-BR condition at all, am happy to be proved wrong though.

"Public address fitted. Non-authentic upholstery" from http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=55 although that text in particular has not have changed since the carriage was sold, but as I rode the carriage at both the P&D and DFR I can say nothing in the passenger saloons had changed to my eye.

 

Anybody know what they plan on doing with the locomotive on the goods train, in particular Friday, in regards to what way the engine will face?

 

My video that includes both 7820 morning goods workings, 1450 on auto and the 4566+4612 double header. Great day out!

 

Here's my efforts from the Saturday of the gala!

 

End of Taunton Shed 50th Anniversary Gala Photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tguppy37401/sets/72157648261600916/

 

My footage from the Sunday of the gala.

 

My footage from Sundays Gala.

 

A set of images from the Friday of the event can now be seen on my Zenfolio website at: - http://mickrogers.zenfolio.com/p899341033
My thanks to everyone involved.


Cheers,

 

Does anyone know what locos are rostered on the WSR this Saturday? I've been checking the WSR website and it hasn't been updated to show October's engines.

Thanks

 

Sorry John, the info hasn't yet come through from the CME.

Steve

 

Press release from WSR Plc:

"The West Somerset Railway enjoyed a successful Autumn Steam Gala over the four days October 2nd to 5th with 4685 passengers travelling. This was marginally down on the figure (4773) for the 2013 “Cambrian” event but with the weather being less kind (the Saturday morning featured heavy rain at the time the family market would be thinking about going out for the day) the WSR was satisfied with the results.


The theme of the Gala was a commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the closure of Taunton locomotive shed in October 1964 and this meant that the four days heavily featured the products of Swindon Works. The “guest” engines featured were 14xx 0-4-2T 1450, “Small Prairies” 4566 and 5542, “Manor” 7820 “Dinmore Manor” and 57xx Pannier 4612. These were joined by WSR residents 4936 “Kinlet Hall”, 6960 “Raveningham Hall”, 7828 “Odney Manor”, “Large Prairie” 4160, and “2884” Class 3850. SDJR 7F 88 made one trip over the line on Saturday and Sunday, planned to be its last Gala appearance before March 2016 whilst Peckett 0-4-0ST “Kilmersdon” was shunting at Washford station.


In line with the theme some of the engines took on the identities of long-scrapped locomotives which were based at Taunton at the time of the closure. So the 4936 became 4932 “Hatherton Hall”, 6960 assumed the identity of 7909 “Heveningham Hall” and 4612 was 9670. In addition 4160 became 4131 and 3850 carried numbers for 3863.


1450 worked with an autocoach, running between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield on Thursday and Friday and Minehead and Dunster on the Saturday and Sunday.


Amongst the book signings was one by the well-known historian of the railways of South West England Colin G. Maggs and there were workshop openings at Williton and at Minehead, the latter allowing visitors to see work in progress on 6024 “King Edward I” and “Mogul” 9351."


Steve

 

Best WSR Gala that I've been to, but then with ALL GWR locos except 88 that I now consider an adopted Swindon loco what else could I expect. Well done WSR.

Regards Paul

 

A little late but here’s my video of the event, taken on the first day: