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West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala, 27-30 March 2014

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by gwr4090, Sep 27, 2013.

  1. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    The WSR Spring Steam Gala next March 27-30 will have a Southern theme based on the Withered Arm (west of Exeter).

    So what engines would you like to see in action at the event ?

    David
     
  2. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    OOOH! That's one date to go in the diary!
    34046, 30120, 30053, 34070 and 31806, please.
     
  3. frazoulaswak

    frazoulaswak Member

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    ...and at least one rake of Southern Region green coaches for them to pull...
     
    West Somerset Wizard likes this.
  4. YoungRailwayMan

    YoungRailwayMan Member

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    Hi,
    I think the line up should be 31806,35006,34053,1638 And 34046 or 925.

    Many Thanks,.
    YRM.,
     
  5. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    One assumes that 31806 and 925 will be high on the guest list.
     
  6. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    34046 will be there no doubt.
     
  7. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    925 would be an "interesting" choice for an event themed on the withered arm!

    Tom
     
  8. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    They never appeared down there? My knowledge of Southern Railway/Region locomotive allocations is practically non-existent.
     
  9. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    925 didn't work west of Exeter , Rebuilt Bulleid Pacifics were later on when some of the weight restrictions were lifted and I think they didn't venture onto the Padstow and Wadebridge lines only taking the main line to Plymouth

    Bodmin & Wenford and Mid Hants can evoke much better the feel of the old Withered arm and Cornwall with loco's like 31806, 34007, 30120, 30585, 30587 plus a little mix of 5553 , 4612 , 4247

    So to my mind you are transplanting a nice loco's into a less appropriate environment with BR(W) stock
     
  10. Unlikely

    Unlikely New Member

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    It's going to look odd with the chocolate and cream stock admittedly, but I'll be fascinated to hear and enjoy some southern locos on the banks, and photo-wise I'm as intrigued by novelty as nostalgia anyway. Rarely miss a WSR steam gala as the four-day format gives plenty of flexibility and it's only an hour away, so it's going in my diary.
     
  11. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    West of Exeter was subject to very tight weight restrictions, which was part of the design rationale for the Bulleid light pacifics. A Schools, with a 22ton axle load, was way past the limit. Merchant Navies were also banned, even in original form, and the rebuilt light pacifics were also too heavy and banned until about 1960, when a few made it to Plymouth - but not on the other parts of the system. It was those restrictions that helped explain why the Drummond 4-4-0s had such long lives west of Exeter.

    Tom
     
  12. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    Ah right - thanks for the explanation.
     
  13. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Most authentic choices would be (as well as a Light Pacific or two) 30120 and 31806 (a purist would want 31874 but I don't think she's available), one or two Beattie well tanks, 30053, an Ivatt Mickey Mouse tank and one or two standard 2-6-4Ts. To be really authentic, talk nicely to British American Railway Services and borrow the Dartmoor Railway between Crediton /Yeoford (Network Rail approval) and Okehampton /Meldon. Don't ask who's going to pay!

    John
     
  14. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    I remember from 1964 travelling on a train on the North Cornwall line with 31840 and two coaches, one in chocolate and cream.
     
  15. daveb

    daveb Member

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    I see that the Gala is four days only this time, and the first weekend has been scrapped.
     
  16. That's right, daveb. Reacting to a variety of influencing factors I guess.

    BTW could the title of the thread be corrected - there's no "a" in "West" ;-)

    Steve
     
  17. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    UK Steam states 34046/TBA for Vintage Trains Canterbury Explorer on the Saturday and Vintage Trains brochure says "We are planning to use a rebuilt Bulleid West Country Class locomotive".
     
  18. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    Silly me - I was the first person to reply and about 30 minutes after my post, I suddenly remembered the VT trip to Canterbury. Nevermind.

    A Beattie well tank did cross my mind, It would look nice, and would be authentic for a "Withered Arm" theme, but on a line like the WSR with its steep gradients, would it really be able to do anything? Perhaps a 2-coach local between Minehead and Blue Anchor?
     
  19. nickt

    nickt Member

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  20. maespoeth

    maespoeth New Member

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    The planned dates for this are March 27th to 30th (yes, cut back to one long weekend) and the theme will be "The Withered Arm".
     

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