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

Regrettably several of those shots require a lineside pass. Most of the rest are where the herd goes.

 

Try these:

Minehead Station 181/SS 975 464 Lots of views incl turntable
Minehead 181/SS 980 459
Dunster 181/SS 994 448 This one comes with a warning that cars are not permitted on access to waterworks, but pedestrians are OK.
Ker Moor 181/ST 015 431 Classic shots of the WSR from a public footpath.
Blue Anchor Station 181/ST 022 434 Lots of views here.
Old Cleeve 181/ST/037 415 Public footpath overlooking Washford Bank southbound
Washford Station 181/ST 042 411 Lots of views in and around station. If you walk down the public footpath from Washford to Watchet (the trackbed of the old mineral railway) there are several foot crossings.
Watchet/ Kentsford 181/ST 058 429 Public footpath overlooking northbound Washford Bank.
Wachet Station 181/ST 071 432 A few shots possible
Watchet 181/ST 076 433 Public footpath from Goves Crossing (at the east of Watchet Stn) to Doniford. Excellent for southbound exits from Watchet Stn upgrade. This footpath can be difficult if wet - be warned!
Doniford 181/ST 085 426 Railway crosses over minor road. Very good when sun is shining!
Williton Station 181/ST 085 435 Nice shots available here. Car parking is an issue, there is a pay and display in Williton opposite Co-op.
Williton A39. 181/ST 084 434 Farmers gated access to field. Don’t park your car here, but excellent view over the gate to railway
Williton Teddy Bear Crossing. 181/ST 090 409 Nice shots here southbound from Williton. Access best from A358. Public footpath starts at petrol station, goes to Williton.
Williton A398. 181/ST 092 404. The classic shot on the WSR of train going over the road. Better as an afternoon shot. Car parking is a serious issue, best to leave it in the Pay and Display in Williton and walk down footpath from Williton to the A398. There are lots of shots en-route!

I’ll try to do some more later

Regards

 

Brake van ride worthwhile? Depends what you are expecting. No worries. And no surprise that I'd recommend you book a ride and then let us know what you think

Enjoy the event...

Steve

 

True and true but there are still a great number of locations where good shots can be had and you won't see another soul...just take an OS map with you.

Steve

 

To be realistic, there are going to be a lot of people around taking photos at a gala. However, they aren't likely to be in your way if you photograph from one of the many bridges over the line.

 

Here's my (WIP) map for photography on the WSR. Bear in mind that I have never actually done any off-platform filming there, and am using Orion's list above and some youtube vids to piece this together.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=215439034581077478225.0004ca5b37bf617b21f41&msa=0
Comments welcome, would prefer to add a few more locations.

 

Will there be any passenger services to Norton Fitzwarren at all during the gala?

 

That section will be busy with light engine movements. Roll on reinstatement of the double track between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren

Thanks Bifur01 and Orion for the map and the location listings for photographers. Great work.

Steve

 

More of the same:

Sampford Brett: 181/ST 090 401. Footpath from Sampford Brett to Woolston
Woolston/ Woolston Moor:181/ST 100 398. Railway under a minor road, dramatic shot possible of climb to Stogumber. Ample on road car parking. There are public footpaths across Woolston Moor but the local landowner doesn’t (how do I put this) want them to be used.
Stogumber Station: 181/ST 110 372. Lots of shots possible, parking an issue. There is a public footpath from a spot just to the south of Stogumber Station to Roebuck Farm and there are a number of spots along it which are useful.
Leigh Bridge: 181/ST 120 362. One of the classic shots on the WSR now marred by a foot crossing sign. Linesiders tend to gather here too, beware the orange brigade!
Lawford: 181/ST 125 363. Shot across meadow from minor road. Ample on road parking.
Roebuck Level Crossing: 181/ST 125 361. Good front three-quarter views. Because of the bells, not a good spot for the videographer.
Roebuck Farm: 181/ST 126 357. Shot across meadow towards railway from minor road over a farmers gate.
Roebuck Gate Farm:181/ST 131 355. Shot from minor road to railway. Trees can be an issue!
Crowcombe Heathfield Station: 181/ST 137 342. One of the loveliest stations on the country, lots of photos in and around.
Nornvis Bridge:181/ST 143 335. One of the most popular spots on the line, well worth a visit. Leave the car at the station and walk. There are other footpaths in the area which I haven’t yet got around to exploring.
Cedar Falls: 181/ST 162 305. On the A358 and parking is a serious problem. A superb early morning, ie first departure from BL, shot of the sun is shining can be used later if dull. There is a footpath to the west of Pixford Farm on the B3224 which I haven’t yet explored which might give good pm shots.
Bishops Lydeard Stn: 181/ST 164 290. Lots of shots here, well signposted and ample parking.
Burge Farm: 181/ST 166 281. Public footpath from A398 to Burge Farm. Good views across valley.
Dene Court: 181/ST 174 280. Restricted view from overbridge on minor road.

That’s it, there are footpaths south of this towards Norton Fitzwarren which I haven’t yet explored and there is one in between the River Tone and the site of the triangle which might just bear a look, but a word of warning. You will find photos on the WSR website and the WSR calendar which look nice but are actually taken from private land. The official line is that these were taken with permission but I’d take that with a pinch of salt. Regular photographers on the WSR know which landowners are nice and helpful and those who are not. Beginners ought to stay well within the rules if you are not to be confronted with a man with a shot gun and a big dog. It hasn’t happened to me but I know it has happened. Not all landowners support the idea that the railway is an asset to the area. Have a care.

Regards

 

It's a shame two coaches can't be added to some of these light moves, I hope this occurs in the future.

 

The best advice I can give visiting photographers is to show respect. If you want to access private land then get permission first. No-one can prevent use of public footpaths but if, by stopping along the footpath, you upset stock then best to move on. I'm fairly confident the pictures on WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures and News are taken from public places or from private places with permission, although with over 30000 now on the website I accept a few rogue pics might have got past my beady eye, even though I am extremely familiar with all the locations along and around the railway.

Steve

 

Indeed. Although unhooking and re-hooking would add some time, I can't see any operational problems with dropping off the coaches at the Platform and using the Outer Triangle to turn the loco and back onto the stock. Maybe you could feed that idea in writing to the Special Events Team? (they won't listen to me )

Steve

 

Updated from same link above ^^

 

Cheers for the idea Steve, yeah I will do that after the gala, I was thinking exactly the same thing about using the platform, I thought they may even had ran 92203 down there on the stock Saturday between the non stops seeing as its going out of BL with what it takes down.

 

Here they come...No 92203 arrived yesterday at Bishops Lydeard. Pics on website.

Steve

 

Always reassuring to see a guest engine arrive; looking forward to the Pines Express.

While looking at the website, I noticed several pics of the GWR sleeping car - what a superb restoration!

 

4936 Kinlet Hall is due on Monday 1 October by rail from Paignton.

David

 

I thought using the outer triangle meant crossing the boundary onto Network Rail whereas the inner triangle is entirely on WSR property. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

As from 1st September 2012, the operational boundary between the WSR and Network Rail has been moved by about 100 yards towards Taunton. This is sufficient to allow non-mainline approved locomotives to move just clear of the point at Barnstaple Junction, and hence use the larger outer triangle.

David

 

Have the three hired mainline maroon Mk1 coaches now left the railway?