West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The first diesel from BL will be busy is it just the DMU?

 

This timetable only shows the altered trains. The earlier ones run as scheduled.

 

Yes

 

But with the DMU having failed today, tomorrow (Wednesday) it is likely to be the class 33 and 3 coaches.

 

Certain.

Daisy quite unwell.

Robin

 

What happened to the DMU? Will it take a long time to fix?

 

Beyond my technical competence.

Hopefully will be fixed sometime tomorrow.

Robin

 

I do hope somebody got a picture of 53808 with 10 on (~380 tons) this afternoon. Yes I was firing before anybody asks!

 

That must've been fun to fire! Why was there ten on?

 

Usually when you want someone to have taken a picture nobody has!!

 

There were several people at Crowcombe from the down train taking photos. We heard you coming several minutes beforehand!

The three coaches used for the morning diesel-hauled service vice DMU were needed back at BL for Saturday's diesel service so were added to the 7 coach 1525 MD. The DMU is now working again!

 

Apologies for our lateness into Crowcombe. Ops delayed our departure from MD by 20 mins due to late running down services. Then we lost a little more time working 10 coaches through each intermediate station. Yes we were barking up the bank a little bit. Certainly our climb to Washford brought out some smiles from the S&D guys!!
Firing it was indeed interesting but basically a slightly thicker fire was all that was needed. The loco was after all designed to haul heavy coal trains over the Mendips. I will admit to being a little bit sweaty by the time we got to BL.

 

Now you've had the two S & D locos together, have you noticed much difference in performance between the two? 53809 was generally reckoned to be an indifferent performer in its time on the NYMR, certainly from a steam raising point.

 

Not a fair comparison at the moment. Andy, the WSR CME has directed many improvements to 53808 over the years, improved regulator, drop grate, ash pan and damper mods to name a few. That makes 53808 much easier to prep and from what the drivers say to drive as well. So you're off to more of a flying start in the morning. By the time you've shovelled out 53809 you're probably not in such a good mood. You might also have lit up a bit later.
In my experience most of our Midland loco's are slower to warm up and "make" than the GWR ones, but once they start to come round they come round a bit quicker. But each loco is different. The Manor makes a lot faster than either of the Halls in the morning.
Also 53808 has also just come back from heavy overhaul so it's in pretty good nick.
The only thing I've noticed is it's a bit harder to hold 53809 up to the mark and I think it uses a bit more water than 53808. I'm pretty sure if the WSR are permitted to make the required improvements and replacements of worn components that there is a good chance both loco's would give similar performance. At the moment 53809 is more sensitive to the shape and thickness of the fire and damper settings, that might be to do with the fire-bar gaps.
In fairness I should mention that 53809 has had a "Minehead improved pattern" regulator fitted recently. So the owning group do seem to want to see their loco brought up to the same level as 53808.

 

A fascinating site. As a result of studying it I ventured forth to Godney in midst of the Somerset Levels this week. The Sheppey Inn promised much but did not live up to expectations. It certainly is seriously weird in decor but the menu is modern European. Sadly there were just too many mistakes with each of the three courses. Don't waste your fuel or shoe leather going to this remote spot. Patronize the QB instead. I am looking forward to trying their Jumbo Yorkshire puddings during the next Gala.

 

Yes - I used to live not far from there, at Blackford (near Wedmore). This tourist map certainly matches my memories of the place (and the blogger is right; Glastonbury is a very odd place, indeed!)

http://normalforglastonbury.uk/2016/05/08/glastonbury-town-tourist-map/

 

My father moved us all from Greenhithe in Kent to the village of Butleigh near Glastonbury in 1968, and I grew up there, so have watched the changes over the years. Back then, Glastonbury was just a market town for the surrounding area.

In 1968 the fish and chip shop in Glastonbury used to have a prominent sign in the window that said 'No Hippies'. Now you can't move in the town for crystal shops, 'mystic' shops and the like.

A survivor of the old days is Jon, the jeweller and watchmaker squeezed in in tiny premises at the bottom of the high street. There isn't much he won't tackle, with old fashioned courtesy and reasonable prices. Several railway timepieces owe their continued existence to his assistance.

Robin

 

So in the big scheme of things Glastonbury is not that distant to the Norton Fitzwarren triangle, hmmm........... ........

 

Peace and love, man.

Peace, love and cider, man.

Or perhaps just cider

Robin

 

Bound to be some leylines connecting the two.