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West Somerset Steam Express 2015

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by gwr4090, Jul 16, 2015.

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  1. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    She looks to be losing time hand over fist at present.

    Hopefully external delays rather that an issue with Britannia.
     
    staffordian, Jul 25, 2015
    #21
  2. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    buseng, Jul 25, 2015
    #22
  3. royals pete

    royals pete Member

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    Whats happened now then ????? Losing loads of time.


    edit....sorry, I see above already mentions !!!
     
    royals pete, Jul 25, 2015
    #23
  4. matthews

    matthews New Member

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    matthews, Jul 25, 2015
    #24
  5. Alberta 45562

    Alberta 45562 Part of the furniture

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    Alberta 45562, Jul 25, 2015
    #25
  6. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    mrKnowwun, Jul 25, 2015
    #26
  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    This itinerary is a great one, as was yesterday, but not without incident although none of it was down to the crews or locomotives.

    The train was not full - plenty of dining capacity that came the way of Standard passengers later in the journey at knock down prices. There were also only two coaches of Standard folk - one plus the buffet - with an additional Standard coach that I'm guessing that WCRC didn't want to take out of the formation even though the bookings didn't merit it. Perhaps that's an understandable sign of a reluctance to commit to steam charters and I noticed that quite a few were paying on the day. Sad, in a way, because as I said this was a great itinerary and a great day out with both locos doing us proud and the WSR folk all out in force to make us welcome on their line.

    The path down was via Westbury :mad: with an extra water stop at Castle Cary. Ray Churchill was in charge of Britannia with 11 on and we flew up to Savernake - over the top at 62. It soon became apparent that we were to be routed via the Westbury avoiding line :) and in fact ran from Newbury to the Clink Road Junction signal stop in even time......just. Lovely running and rather unexpected.

    Onwards from Castle Cary we were stuck behind a Penzance HST that dropped 15 min between Castle Cary and Somerton - more of that later - so arrived late at Taunton but had made time up for the departure from BL on the WSR. 3850 gave us a brilliant climb up to Crowcombe and did just the same on the way back - a steady 26-29 mph. The right loco for the load and a noisy experience from anywhere in the train. Well done to Alan? Dorrington and his mate who kept a feather on the valves all the way.

    On the way back there was an unscheduled stop approaching Athelney while the guard sorted out the dragging brakes on one coach that had not released all its vacuum - presumably missed when the train was switched from vacuum to air at BL. We then has a circuit failure at Somerton that required us to be authorised to pass a red but then proceed at caution to the next signal at Castle Cary. These really are massively long block sections and judging by the HST in the morning all was not well on this stretch of line yesterday. Plenty of time lost from both of these incidents.

    Onwards via Westbury with a spirited climb to Savernake, courtesy of John Daniels, interrupted by the water stop at Woodborough. Then a lovely blast from Newbury back into Reading but not without the regulation signal check at Southcote Junction.

    This is a trip to go on, (commission payment from the RTC welcomed!) and despite the brilliant performance from Britannia - thanks to crews and support crew - this is the loco that won the day for me.
    P1080031A.jpg P1080044.JPG
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2015
    Big Al, Jul 26, 2015
    #27
    16Ventnor, banana patch and KentYeti like this.
  8. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Thanks for that Alan. I am thinking of going on the 8th August, which 70000 is also rostered according to UK Steam and Icons of Steam.
     
    Paul42, Jul 26, 2015
    #28
  9. banana patch

    banana patch Member

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    Does anybody know if for those wishing to do so standing by the droplights was permitted on WSR part of journey?
     
    banana patch, Jul 26, 2015
    #29
  10. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    Yes, no restrictions and listening to 3850 on nine was a delight. It was a stunning day full of (mostly) the right sort of drama. The WSR allowed us freedom of the line for £5 and we went from Minehead to Watchet and return with a Manor and Hall and I thank WSR very much for this generous gesture. We were two of the pay on the day but we have been so let down with diesels turning up which for us means we waste £170 to £200 so it was great to see 70000 roll in and know our cash would be rewarded. Thanks WCR, RTC and WSR for a great day.
     
    16Ventnor, Jul 26, 2015
    #30
    green five and banana patch like this.
  11. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    I saw this at Reading West last night, you were stuck behind a Reading bound turbo which stopped at RW although I'm not sure whether it came from Newbury or Basingstoke.
    As soon as the turbo left RW I heard 70000 accelerating from Southcote Junction long before it appeared, it was going a fair rate when it reached RW.
    I have a mobile phone clip of it which I might put up later.
     
    buseng, Jul 26, 2015
    #31
  12. hampstead

    hampstead New Member

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    A record of events at Aldermaston, am. and Thatcham, pm.



    New pedestrian bridge at Thatcham seems to be excessively high.
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2015
    hampstead, Jul 26, 2015
    #32
  13. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Reading West last night.



    One question, is there any reason why the train couldn't run on vacuum brakes throughout being a WCRC operation & the stock obviously dual braked. Would of saved any changeover.
     
    buseng, Jul 26, 2015
    #33
  14. chessie1

    chessie1 New Member

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    I was on the support crew for this yesterday, long days, tiring, hard work, but I think this superb clip exactly captures what it's all about.

     
    chessie1, Jul 26, 2015
    #34
    5801, green five and Where's Mazeppa? like this.
  15. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Perhaps that is the way to go, then if it turns up with a box you can walk away & keep your money in your pocket. If you book beforehand you are committed whatever happens.
     
    buseng, Jul 26, 2015
    #35
  16. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    It's certainly an option for those who want to avoid diesels but you run the risk of it being a sell out before the day of the tour.
     
    Spamcan81, Jul 26, 2015
    #36
  17. bakabung

    bakabung Well-Known Member

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    The catenary is coming to Burnham...

    [​IMG]
     
    bakabung, Jul 26, 2015
    #37
  18. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    It's something I never would have considered a few years ago and if we did have 'box' haulage we would just thought it unlucky. However last year when I was made aware in advance that a trip was being changed to diesel and on asking to be changed to any other trip anytime that was steam I was told to read the terms and conditions and consequently suffered a non steam day. We used to be on 10 to 20 trips a year and felt a bit peeved that the operator wasn't willing to help although I could understand the operator's stance in case there were lots asking the same question. However at the end of the day we are the ones paying the fare and therefore we have taken the decision to cherry pick the trips and if they're sold out before hand then so be it. I feel for the operators but also we are not a charity with a bottomless pocket of money. And it's not just us enthusiasts. We were on a trip a few months and the family opposite were ranting at an earlier trip they had undertaken that was changed to diesel and there was an impression that if this one had been the same they would have given up trying. And that at the end of the day could be the downfall of our main line steam haulage companies if the non enthusiasts also vote with their feet if there not given a reasonable chance to swap to another date if the destination and motive power differ substantially from that advertised. Us enthusiasts tend to be of thicker stuff and more supportive but our patience too must be waning. However memories can be as long as the last trip and would happily do the West Somerset Express again next month and would encourage all to do the same.
     
    16Ventnor, Jul 26, 2015
    #38
    banana patch and green five like this.
  19. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    There are several WSR trips for next month currently available on the RTC website. I am keen to go on one to visit the WSR but going by the reports of passenger numbers yesterday I wonder if they will go ahead. At the moment my Dad and I have really lost our enthusiasm for ML steam as the two trips we have booked so far this year have been disappointments and we feel we are cursed:-(
    I will keep an eye on the WSR trips and book nearer the time (the next one is 8th August rostered for 70000).
    It's good to hear that all went well yesterday. A shame that the seats didn't sell well though.
     
    green five, Jul 26, 2015
    #39
  20. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Is it any wonder given the uncertainty of many steam trips over the last few years with what's provided.
    Unfortunately, although this one was 100% steam it suffered because of the reputation of others.
    People don't want to take the risk with their hard earned cash.
     
    buseng, Jul 26, 2015
    #40
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