WSR S&D Spring Steam Gala, 5-6 and 10-13 March 2016

Hope they can workout a solution and replacement soon. This Wil be the best gala ever.

 

W

Would 3850 or 4160 have fitted into gala theme if they were stil on the WSR

 

About as much as anything else GWR... Not that it matters anyway, as both of them are in bits on other railways at the moment.

 

3 November 1968 E6108 topped and tailed with D1986 from Poole to Blandford and back to Broadstone. The tour was the Hampshireman, run by the LCGB. Apart from the final run up to Blandford, it had a varied route out via Epsom, Fareham and returning via the Mid Hants. But that's another story.

Re GWR steam, 57XX were used and a number of 2251 0-6-0 engines, The preserved 3205 was once shedded at Templecombe I believe,

 

Oh I'd love to see 3205 at WSR, it's in south Devon isnt it

 

Yes, ex GWR locos were quite prominent on the Highbridge branch at least in later years. I saw 4631 a few times in early 1965, and an early encounter of mine with 3205 was on the 09.55 from Evercreech Jct in April 1965 - one coach and the usual bogie van. She's a beauty; could the South Devon possibly be persuaded?

Has all hope of bringing a Black Five been lost?

John

 

If that's what the lady said, then I would tend to believe her. It's also possible that they are not sending out any more by post in case they don't arrive, as is the case with advance tickets now. It's also possible that they don't have any left in Minehead, but there will be some available at the other stations.

 

Various classes of WR diesel locos hauled coal trains between Writhlington Colliery and Radstock after the 6th March, '66. <BJ>

 

Yes, Collett design 2251 Class 0-6-0 3205 is based at the South Devon Railway. The line is well worth a visit at some time. Further details via this link;http://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/locomotives/3205

I have recently looked through the Latest Pictures from WSR via this link; http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Latest pictures&t=pics
There is a photograph by Rich Hiscox captioned "LMS 4F 0-6-0 no 44422 receiving attention at Minehead on 25 February 2016". Please can anyone say exactly what this "attention" actually involved.

The photos of SDJR 7F 2-8-0 no 53808 in her newly applied black livery looks stunning in my opinion. Especially the ones taken outside the works during her steam test. When I attend the Gala it will be the first time ever that I have seen a SDJR 7F locomotive in black and I'm going to be spoilt with two.
Well done to everyone concerned at Minehead in the overhaul of the 2-8-0. Looking forward to seeing her in action again.

 

I notice 34053 has arrived.
Visited Swanage Railway earlier today and no sign of 34070.
Hopefully on its way.

 

I think I saw a photo of it in the works at Herston a few days ago, I could be completely wrong though.

 

3205 was resident in the lat 80s - 90s . Ask Paul Conybere about her, I think it was his favorite engine!
I would like to think Williton will be signalled by the gala , but may not be in time ,but when it is it will be done right.

 

Long ago and far far away, when I was at university, I had generous parents who did not require me to work to keep myself in the summer vacation, and so I could come to the WSR as guard.

I well remember the summer that 3205 appeared, with David Rouse as the regular driver and Paul Conibeare as the regular fireman.

The timetable was worked out for the Bagnal tanks and 3205 was a far more suitable loco. My task when we reached the summit at Crowcombe in either direction was to indicate how many minutes ahead of schedule we were and I can never remember that only needing one hand!

We would then sit on the grass bank listening to David's yarns and enjoying the sunshine until 'time' came and we drifted down to Williton or Bishops Lydeard as the case might be.

Happy memories...

Robin

 

Would love to see 3205 at crowcombe to relive bbc naria

 

Indeed Robin. I too remember 3205 coming to the line. Suddenly, we Guards had "five on" (at least one or two extra to the Bagnall norm) and no TTIs in those days. One day I recall 3205 with seven on (unheard of back then!) and we still arrived early at Crowcombe. I guess with 53808 and 3205 on the line it was the start of the realisation of the WSR's potential. I'd love to see 3205 back one day.

As for dear old Davie Rouse and his yarns and antics, perhaps the least said the better. At least in public.

Steve

 

Is the demolition train only on Sunday? Mother has told me that due to it being Mother's Day, I am expected to take her our somewhere and it won't be near a railway

 

Really wanted to see the demolition train

 

If it is a Sunday job it ought to have a Class 33 (or two!) on it. The Blandford - Broadstone section demolition in 1970 was served by a weekly Sunday train. The demolition of the rest of the line was served by daily weekday trains. I never saw one at weekends on the northern section.

Peter James

 

Can you not get away to see it on the last train of the day, dep. BL 1805, arr WN 1850, although it will be getting dark by then! As I will be Guard on it, I'll try to take photos and send them to wsr.org.uk, but I expect others will as well.

 

Manston has been in the works at Herston for a few weeks now and not on the line itself.