West Somerset Railway General Discussion

So to work in the signal box did you have to be good in the school relay teem so as to be able to catch the section token.

Until I retire which wont be for 13+ years I haven't got any more spare time to do any more volunteering than I do now.

 

Fortunately the drivers take things gently at exchange.

I am sure there would be a space for you on the 2029/30 signalman's course but it's a weeee bit early to book......

Robin

 

Its a great way to see and try whats involved in being a Guard or Signalman.
Its surprising how much is involved in both jobs, so to be able to try it out and see if you would be happy to learn all the different aspects is a great oppertunity.
Sometimes it is very hard and tiring work but when you see passengers smiles and them having a great day out it makes it all worthwhile.

Robin F.

 

As promised, poster for Guards and Signalmen Recruitment Day attached, and a repeat of the Press Release.

Anything folks can do to get the message 'out there' much appreciated. As well as distribution by social media, Pleased to see this up in corner shops, village halls, house windows.......

If you do not have access to a colour printer, e-mail me and we will find a way to get you a copy for display.

Many thanks

Robin

 

On Steve Edge's WSR .org I thought I spied GWR 16307 Mink Covered Goods Van trundling along with the WSR goods train...behind the Enginemans Special. Can anyone confirm this?
It is the third vehicle in the photograph.

 

99.99% No as your van was still in the Swindon Shed up to 17.00 yesterday but looked from a distance all painted and lettered, as good as ready to go into the demonstration freight train. It should be outside the Swindon Shed for the gala as room will be needed inside, so come along and have a look yourself and from the other side of the Swindon Shed it looks good.

 

Thank you!

 

Whats the state of play with the works going on next to BL station please? And what will be the intended use ?

 

I see 5542 is working w.c.22nd October.

What will she be loaded to? Clearly if its 7 then it adds to the case for returning 4561 to service

 

How do you come to that conclusion?
5542 has been working this week, I fired it on two occasions. On one round trip with 7 on which she will do with ease.

 

I thought the argument against restoring 4561 was that she wasn't powerful enough for a 7 coach set

 

That's what I thought . I've always apprieciated a small engine working hard rather than a Brittania or a 9F hardly breaking into a sweat . What's your opinion aldfort ?

 

5542 is a bit special. Not all small prairie tanks are created equal. I'd suggest some careful reading of the class specifications for what at first glance look to be very similar machines. 4561 is potentially more limited by water capacity.
As to performance we don't know until it runs again. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

 

To confirm what Aldfort says I crewed 5542 yesterday with load 6 which it handled with ease & have previously had this loco on 7 without difficulty. That said the 4575 class of which 5542 is a member has over 200 gallons more water in the tanks than a straight tank 45xx like 4561. That margin is rather important at times particularly during the steam heat season.
Also its worth noting that in recent years 4566 has been restricted to load 6 on the SVR though it is capable of 8 on that line. Since the restriction though the need for repairs has been reduced.

 

I never understood why the GWR never upgraded the earlier locos in this class (and others) given that a heavy general would be a more or less rebuild of the loco.

 

But that would not justify new tanks until they were life expired - after say at least 30 years. Water columns were reasonably plentiful and on lines like the WSR the load would more commonly have been 3 or 4 coaches rather than 6 or 7 making a big difference to water consumption.

 

45XX class engines are/were 1000 gallons and the 4575 class engines are/were 1300 gallons so it is 300 gallons which is a lot more water.

Why spend this extra money rebuilding them when they most likely be only operating on the shorter branch lines and 1000 gallons will do.

 

And just imagine if that was ALL cider.

Robin

 

Well Robin you are a chemist so how would the boiler handle it and what about the alcohol vapour in the cylinders

 

Whilst I can see the attraction of 4561 how limited is it when providing steam heat? I well appreciate the sound of a smaller engine working hard how does this impact on the overall wear and tear plus the running costs? With motor vehicles I have always been an advocate of under running them rather than having a less powerfull engine and running it flat out all the time. Does this hold true with steam engines? The other thing that occurs to me is that, like it or not, heritage railways only survive because we attract a large number of non enthusiast passengers, indeed a majority, who are attracted by the larger locos. As a tourist attraction surely the general public have to be our primary target market.