West Somerset Railway General Discussion

So what is the relationship between the PLC and the WSRA? In general terms, who owns what and what responsibilities does each carry?

Regards

 

It's not so much about who owns what or responsibilities carried, it's simply down to the relationship between the Plc who are responsible for running the railway and the WSRA which is a major provider of support to the WSR Plc and other WSR organisations. In my humble view.

Steve

 

Cant belive there was no consultation between the two oganisations,you should both be working for the common good! Personally I think the WSR is not as 'frendly' as it once was internally, that is one reason I dont volunteer any more.

 

I see the WSR is developing its diversification policy.

They have announced "You must come and see us in 2013 to see Peppa & George Pig, Mike the Knight, Fireman Sam and Scooby Doo! "

Sounds great to me - my wish list would include Shaun the Sheep, Bert and Ernie and of course Nanny Plum.

More about these plans can be found at:
Children's TV Character Meet and Greet Days announced for 2013 season « West Somerset Railway

Steve

 

Network Rail rail train just arrived at Bishops Lydeard Station on the West Somerset Railway. See webcams on WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures and News (via Galleries page)

Steve

 

Cycle alongside the Bishops Lydeard to Norton section of the WSR?

Cycle Path Press Release Oct12 vF

Steve

 

As the line from BL to NF used to be double track, this seems feasible, but I have reservations about trusting Sustrans after their scuppering a railway preservation scheme at Radstock some years ago. Are these Quantock Eco people connected to Sustrans?

 

The press release certainly mentions Sustrans, which could be ominous. I just wonder how the eco people plan to fit two rail tracks AND a cycle path under the bridges that cross the line south of BL.

Mick

 

Does the WSR own the trackbed?

Regards

 

No. The former Minehead Branch is currently owned by Somerset County Council with most of it on long term lease to WSR Plc. The WSR Association own the Triangle and surrounding fields and as far as I know is not (currently) being considered for the cycle path route.

Steve
WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures and News

 

Warning bells are ringing louder in my head.

 

Exactly, Mick! There isn't room. I suppose the £7500 feasibility study will come to same conclusion. I'd tell 'em for £750 - even an idiot like me, armed with a tape measure, could work that one out!

Steve
WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures and News

 

I'd be most surprised if there is enough land there to have two tracks and a pathway, but the local authority, which, I gather from Steve's earlier post, actually owns the trackbed, might come to the conclusion that a pathway would be more useful to the community than a short length of double tracked railway. There aren't a lot of footpaths in that area.

I don't see the point in fulminating about this, the WSR is not in control of the situation. I'm sure it has some influence and is using that to negate this idea, but it's the local authority which has the final say, not the WSR or it's antagonists.

Regards

 

I don't think it's as simple as that, David. That choice is not for the Council to make. The owners still have to respect the terms of the lease so they can't just come in and modify things as they please. It's an operational railway after all with all the rules and regs to be applied. Your point about what is of more value to the community but it could be argued that easier routing for mainline trains, especially regular, daily trains, is also of immense use to the community, perhaps more useful than a cycleway. And the WSR makes a huge contribution to economics of the area. By easier routing I mean a direct route along the former Up line from Norton to Platform 3 at Bishops Lydeard; with the (future) Down line providing the route to the Triangle, thus avoiding traffic conflicts. If the cycleway is built on the actual formation, it completely stuffs any future development opportunities for the WSR. But there might be room alongside...except at the three overbridges and at least one major culvert.

Steve
WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures and News

 

Steve,

I suppose it was inevitable that my post would be controversial, but I do think that it would be useful if a wider view were taken. Yes the WSR contributes an enormous amount to the local community, but I wonder just how much more would a double track from the mainline to BL add to that.

I think the idea of a regular rail service from BL or MH to Taunton can be ruled out, it would cost to much and there is a bus service already in place, which, from my observation, is non too well patronised by the locals. Most prefer to use a car where they have the choice and they would exercise the same choice if the WSR railway service was extended to Taunton. I can understand why people would prefer not to use the bus, but surely the railway has the same difficulties of convenience and cost if not more so?

An interesting point about the lease however. I wonder how long the lease has to go? Also interesting is your comment re the bridges and culvert. These might rule out a cycleway but not a pathway (in my post I only refered to a pathway). Personally, and I speak as a life long cyclist who had to retire because of back problems twelve years ago (the bike, a Dawes Galaxy, is still in the garage because I can't bear the thought of finally parting with it), I think that cyclists and pedestrians need to be just as separate as motor vehicles are separated from pedestrians. The two just don't mix and both are at risk when footway and cycleway are combined.

Also I think the WSR might just consider that a footway alongside the railway might just be a tremendous attraction all of its own.

Regards

 

The lease is/was 99 years so it's still got 70+ years to go.

I tend to agree with you about segregating cyclists and pedestrians. There are lots of combined cycleways/footpaths where I live (Peterborough) and to be honest it is not comfortable or relaxing to walk along these.

As far as the proposal is concerned it will most definitely be a cycleway (probably with pedestrian access) and there just isn't room for a cycleway (or a path) and two tracks through the three overbridges and over the Halse Water culvert, as things stand.

There are plans to modify the layout at the southern end of Bishops Lydeard (the area known as Westridge) to allow trains to run directly into Platform Three, plus other additions and improvements, so there is a real likelihood of having regular services to and from Taunton in the not-too-distant future. Whether the WSR Plc wish to lay that second track to Norton remains to be seen, but it would make for vastly improved arrangements on that section.

That said, a footpath along part of the route would definitely appeal.

Steve

 

I agree with what your saying , but about the second track, what traffic conflicts?! how many trains a day do you see from TN to BL? How many movements to use the triangle?! I wouldnt have thought there'd be a problem with this.

 

Not many conflicts currently but looking ahead it would really ease things. At the moment once a train is in the BL-NF section then no other train can enter. For example, when the HOBC visits it prevents steam engineman specials or auto trains during special events using that section. Likewise a special event TN-BL shuttle prevents a BL-NF shuttle or locos going down to turn. If a daily BL-TN service finally gets going then it'd clearly help towards good timekeeping during handovers to NR if the train had a clear run on the WSR. But all that is just my view and may differ from the WSR Plc's medium term plans!

Steve

 

The November gap in services once again provides opportunities for various projects. The ex-SR PMV used as a store at Williton, and in the way of the loop extension, has finally been "re-railed" and moved to the South Yard; contractors are working on the re-designed Govier's Lane Crossing at Watchet (hopefully to the satisfaction of all); and the water tower is being "planted" next to the turntable at Minehead. Lots of other projects in hand of course...pics on WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: Pictures and News

Steve

 

Good to see the water crane put in at MD! What news of the works to lengthen the loop at Williton?