West Somerset Railway Spring Gala

Both times I've seen 419 today, it has been with an additional loco (75069 on the 9:40 from Minehead and 5199 on the 12:20 from Bishops Lydeard). Is the plan for it to be accompanied from now on or is just for a couple of runs to see how it performs?

 

The 30mins is growing rather, a line block due to a lineside fire the Minehead side of Watchet station.

Edit, I make 9351 1h13 late departing Watchet for Minehead.

 

With regard to 419, the 14:20 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard was 5199 on its own (rostered for 419)

 

I’m currently sat at Washford waiting for something. No staff here so not sure what will turn up next and what direction it’ll be going!

 

A great run behind 7822 on the 16.35 to BL aided by the late running. Held 29 all the way from BA to Washford. The best was yet to come on the long climb to Crowcombe, where we blasted through Stogumber at 29 which was held all the way to the station limits at Crowcombe.

 

Oh, I thought the speed limit was 25mph?

 

Probably not the best thing to say on a public forum....

 

I know people have complained about the integration of Realtime Trains at Swanage (albeit mostly about the screens) but this sounds like a good example of where it could be useful.

The staff and passengers on the ground not knowing what the Operations team are doing or the situation elsewhere on the line may be an authentic heritage experience, but I'm not sure it fits in with modern customer expectations, especially when you look beyond hardcore enthusiasts.

 

I really wouldn't put that on a forum.

 

Its debatable as a sat nav speedo isn't 100% accurate. When the timetable slips these figures are pretty normal. Mid to high 20s is what I recorded and it won't be an issue. Its recovery time and is normal across the majority of railways I've visited.

 

I meant to say Watchet, there were actually people at Washford. I think everything ran to order it was just that if you left the trains you didn’t know whether the delay had reduced or increased. I still had a good day though and 7822 was the highlight for me too.

 

Many branch line trains and especially cross country lines seemed to have a van attached to them, presumably for parcels or luggage. In the case of the WSR gala I can only guess it was to create a bygone scene and make the train more photogenic.

 

Wonder if the authorities are reading this......

 

Doubtful, its only hearsay anyway.

 

". Held 29 all the way from BA to Washford."

Hearsay......

 

Then why take the risk?

 

I was on the same train and my GPS didn’t go above 25. The authorities can rest easy now.

 

I'm sure you have records to hand over to ORR to hand.

 

High 20s is not normal and actually against the law.