More stone trains for WSR

Although final confirmation is awaited, the first of seventeen freight trains will run through to Minehead on 2 November 2010. A total around 7000 tonnes of stone is expected to be brought in by rail to be used for sea defence works between Minehead and Dunster.

Early morn train will run Westbury-Minehead. Loco to run round, take train back up the line about half a mile to the unloading area (near Drift Crossing, I think). After unloading (big stone boulders) train then to return to Westbury.

Stone to be carted across the marshes to the coastline works, somewhere near the far end of the golf course (I think).

No idea at moment about class of motive power to be used.

Sorry it is all a bit vague.

A little more at http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm

So that's the fourth stone contract now, not including the ongoing delivery of spent ballast at Norton.

And I was not a Stones fan, preferred the Beatles. But I'm liking stones now

Steve

 

Great stuff. Just the sort of diversification we need to see more of. Really shows how our heritage lines can 'serve' the community in more ways that simply tourism. Examples like this need to be remembered when groups are in discussion with local authorities about expansion plans and funding etc.

 

Hear, hear! In a way, it is more interesting to see a preserved line being used for commercial traffic like this, than steam hauled tourist trains. The ultimate would be for these trains to be taken over the WSR by a newly restored but suitably workstained Raveningham Hall!

 

Start delayed - now expected to commence 9 November. Train is expected at Bishops Lydeard before 7am and to leave the WSR by lunchtime.

Steve

 

Delayed or not, this is fantastic news. It's more evidence that the WSR is regarded as a 'grown up railway' by managers on the big railway. It has the infrastructure, expertise and flexibility to take real freight onto the branch to do a real job.

All that planning and investment in upgrading the main line link must surely be paying off now. Regular spent ballast trains, overnight stabling of stock, mainline tours from different UK cities and now the return of stone traffic. WSR management, staff and volunteers should be rightly proud of their railway.

John.

 

The first stone train ran today behind 59205. Lots of pictures at www.wsr.org.uk - see Latest Pictures

David

 

Last two stone trains for 2010 are due to run on Mon 20 and Tue 21 Dec (weather permitting).

The 2010 stone trains have their own "gallery" of pictures at:
http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=The Stone Trains of 2010&t=stone2010pix

Steve

 

Due to heavy snow, I understand today's stone was stopped at Fairwater and the loco returned to Westbury. Looks like the main snow band has moved away now but there is as much as a foot of snow at Bishops Lydeard. The decision to stop the "stone" is not known but I'm guessing if the road was set for Minehead there was a risk it may not be possible to reset it for the mainline stuff. Maybe. Also, with so much white stuff on the Minehead line, even a Class 66 might struggle with 700 tonnes tagged on behind. Perhaps No 88 should have banked it :-0)

 

Are there any pictures of them unloading the stone ? Do they just shove it off the side of the wagon or use a grab on a large excavator?

 

Check out some of the pix on this page:
http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=The Stone Trains of 2010&t=stone2010pix

Steve

 

Ah yes, I can see now. A medium sized Liebherr grab. Just the job.