West Somerset Railway Autumn Steam Gala Thu 4-Sun 7 October 2012

Yes, Ivatt 2MT tanks were shedded at Templecombe mainly for the Bridgewater line but did roam to Bath and Bournemouth too. As far as I know the 2MT moguls never appeared on the S&D but the Ivatt 4MT moguls did, although somewhat briefly, in the early fifties (I think in their original double chimney form and nicknamed "Doodlebugs"); so there is a, albeit tenuous, link with the class and the S&D. A 4F and a Bulleid would have been nice but it requires either two low-loaders or one doing two trips to move just one tender engine and the finance just isn't there. There will still be plenty of variety and, remember, every tender engine should be running chimney leading in both directions during this gala.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing the Ivatt on the banks - hopefully it will be fully loaded, and it's good that this will be the first chimney first gala!

IIRC the moguls did, very occasionally, get to Bath Green Park as did a Britannia and Royal Scots! But Green Park wasn't, quite, S&DJR

Regards

 

Looking forward to seeing and hearing the Ivatt class 4 - they did work for a few years on the S and D, before my memories but there are plenty of photos in Ivo Peters S and D books and others - they did not have a good reputation for steaming (that is being kind judging by what I have read!) but that seems to have been greatly improved since the draughting arrangements were sorted out
Dick

 

What about 34028, 34070 or 34007?

On 28th July 1962 the following engines were working:

44417
76019
44560
53807
44559
92245
75072
73049
92233
75009
92210
75073
73054
73047
92004
53808
75023
75027
53806
53810
73051
34039
75009
92245

So we need a BR Standard

Here's 53808 at Masbury

Don

 

Nice picture from 50 years ago Don, but the location is not quite correct. The shot is taken from the bridge approaching Moorewood, between Chilcompton and Binegar, some 3 miles short of Masbury. Sorry to nit-pick.

Peter James

 

Is 34067 now owned by WCRC? I thought she had her own owning group?

 

I thought it was sold to WCRC a couple of years back (late 2009 I thought...).

James at SVN

 

Peter

I am sure you are correct Peter as we had walked from Bineger having arrived behind 44417. But my point was about the use of the correct class of engines and there will only be three 92203, 45379 and 53808.The LMS 5s were quite rare so we need a BR Standard.

Don

Don

 

Bath were adept at "borrowing" Black 5's on the busy days in the late 50's and early 60's and many summer weekends were graced by a Black 5 turning up on S and D turns in Poole/Bournemouth - we had some examples from quite far flung places at times - wish still had my books from those days! 45379 is a new one for me to ride behind in preservation so looking forward to hearing her! Dick

 

Not exactly a classic Pines gala, really. I am a massive fan of this era of the Somerset and dorset. Why not drop the theme when clearly the railway hasn't managed to get the locos they were hoping for. It's still a great selection of locos!

 

Why not just enjoy the gala for what it is? I haven't seen 45379 since it was withdrawn by BR and I'm really looking forward to videoing it, my B&B has been booked for months and I'm sure I'll have a great time at this ASG.

Regards

 

The 'Flying Pig' is very appropriate as the standard 76xxx series are basically the same design and were the mainstay in the last years of the S&D. Black Fives belong anywhere!

 

The Autumn Steam Gala souvenir programme has just gone to printers. The WTT is printed within this document. So distribution is not too far away now.

The front cover of the programme states "ALL LOCOS CHIMNEY FIRST! Making Preservation History!" [Note: WSR's caps and exclamations] However - the website now says "it is hoped to run all steam locomotives chimney first in both directions."

Steve

 

Statement from WSR Plc:
"Despite the best efforts of many people to bring 70000 to the WSR for
the Autumn Steam Gala it has not been possible on this occasion.
Alterations to locomotive arrangements for main line charters resulted
in the locomotive not being based on the WSR between duties as had been
expected. We thank the owners `Locomotive 70000 Ltd' for making
every effort to try and find a way around these difficulties,
unfortunately without success. 70000 will be replaced by locomotives
from the visiting and home fleet."

 

Still it's going to be a cracking gala - I'm looking forward most to the Flying Pig, but Kinlet Hall, the 9F and the Black Five are eagerly awaited. And the home fleet as well, especially the S&D 2-8-0. The brake van trips are something to look forward to, as well.

 

Coming down for the gala, can anyone suggest any good locations for taking pictures. Also thinking of booking a brake van ride, are they worthwhile? Many thanks.

 

Here is as good a place as any to start with!
WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures

Dick

 

70000 was parked outside not in steam at Southall this morning, facing London.

 

The difficulty there is that it appears to require a trackside pass.

Are there any specific areas you would like to visit and I'll try to help.

Regards

 

Only if you want to go lineside. But fear not - it's a very long line so there are lots and lots of other places to take pictures. The maps and info on the above page on WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures and News should help identify those "public" places. Or just spend a while browsing the many images on WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures and News to glean some ideas of where to go get some cracking shots of the West Somerset Railway.

Steve