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WSR Spring Steam Gala Fri 28th April to Mon 1st May

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by SebWelsh, Feb 10, 2023.

  1. SebWelsh

    SebWelsh Member

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    Hi Colin,
    As well as being Gala Team Chair, I'm also a member of the Railway's wagon group.

    The 'Foster Yeoman' wagon is unfortunately not a runner at present so cannot be included in any Goods Trains. It's on our list of things to look at and fix but that list gets ever longer as time goes by! With this particular vehicle we would not be able to use it in the Gala Goods even if operational, our train needs to be fully fitted for the Brakevan Rides to happen and this vehicle is piped.

    I can't remember the reason it was moved from the Turntable Siding but it has been by the signalbox for a number of months now.
     
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  2. SebWelsh

    SebWelsh Member

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  3. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    From West Somerset Railway Facebook page

    LOCOMOTIVE LINE UP CHANGES FOR SPRING STEAM SPECTACULAR

    Our Spring Steam Spectacular is fast approaching, starting a week tomorrow. We have some updates for you regarding locomotive availability.

    Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of engineering staff at Minehead, repairs on no.7822 Foxcote Manor will not be complete in time for the locomotive to operate during this event. Whilst this means there will no longer be three operating Manors at this event, we are still able to operate our Evening Photographic Shoot with the three Manors lined up.

    Additionally, following some problems with another of their locomotives, the Epping Ongar Railway have had to cancel the visit of no.4953 Pitchford Hall to this event to ensure they have cover for their own services.

    Whilst we recognise that the above may be disappointing, it's not all bad news!

    We are extremely grateful to our friends at the Severn Valley Railway for answering our desperate call for help early this week. We are delighted and extremely relieved to announce that visiting our Spring Steam Spectacular instead of no.4953 'Pitchford Hall' is SR West Country Pacific no.34027 'Taw Valley'! 'Taw Valley' has not visited the West Somerset Railway since the early 2000s and she will make a great sight in her new Southern Wartime Black livery running as no.21C127! This will be the first visit of the loco away from its home since her overhaul in 2015. No.34027 appears courtesy of Taw Valley Limited and Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) plc and we are so so grateful to them for helping us!

    And that's not all the good news! Repair works have been completed on 94XX Pannier Tank no.9466 and she will feature at the Spring Steam Spectacular! The engine will work Goods and Local passenger trains. This event will be the engines' first public steamings for over 18 months. Thanks to the Mechanical Engineering Department for their hard work in getting no. 9466 into traffic. No. 9466 appears courtesy of WSR Chairman Jonathan Jones Pratt.

    And as if that wasn't enough, the locomotive diagrams for the event have now been confirmed and are now uploaded onto our website. Please see the link below to view the diagrams, now you can start planning! - https://www.west-somerset-railway.c...s/file/PTT_SSG_2023_Website_with_locos(1).PDF

    Tickets are still available at advanced discounted rates here - https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/detail/spring-steam-spectacular-2
     
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  4. SebWelsh

    SebWelsh Member

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    Beat me to it there Ben!

    Yes a very frantic week. We hope that the Bulleid is a more than decent replacement for the Hall!

    See you all there!!
     
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  5. Tommy Williams

    Tommy Williams New Member

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    Can start planning my day now! I assume that B/F and T/F mean Bunker first and Tender first?
    Cheers!
     
  6. SebWelsh

    SebWelsh Member

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    Yes that's correct. We tried of course to ensure as many of the full line runs are smokebox first as possible but with some of the run rounds being a bit tight it wasn't always possible.
     
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  7. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    It is a shame about 4953, hopefully we can see her on the WSR again in the future. 34027 is a good replacement given it's current livery.
     
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  8. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Do you mean despite its current livery? Sorry - not a fan of locos in inauthentic liveries!

    I suppose the Severn Valley couldn't be persuaded to part with 4930 - would have been a more appropriate replacement.

    Not having a gripe - I appreciate the hard work of all concerned in ensuring that there is a full lineup of locos for next week!
     
  9. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    While it's not everyone's cup of tea, we have seen the likes of 34046, 34053, 34028 on the WSR over the last 15 years, something a bit different I am not afraid of, plus it adds a bit of variety to a wash of green on the whole.

    The SVR haven't used 4930 on a non-gala day yet as far as I know?
     
  10. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    On the coach set that includes the Quantock Belle how many coaches are there for non-dining passengers?
     
  11. SebWelsh

    SebWelsh Member

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    Hi Matt,

    There will be 3 coaches for use for non-dining passengers. Later in the day after the first trip, it'll likely get quieter in the dining section so more capacity will open up.
     
  12. SebWelsh

    SebWelsh Member

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    We did cheekily ask for Hagley, but did not expect them to release it so early into her ticket. It has not even clocked up 1000 miles yet.
     
  13. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

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    1st. Congratulations on both 9466 and 21C127, I am glad you have found some replacements for other engines.

    2nd. Now I can safely say that Taw Valley isn't prisoned on the Severn Valley.

    3. In a way, this could be the start for getting bigger engines on the West Somerset again, meaning next years event, you could see a Castle.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2023
  14. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    What crime did it commit?
     
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  15. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    It will take a while for it to get to 1000 miles on the SVR’s current timetable.
     
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  16. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Being in possession of a non-authentic livery! Actually I remember it being at the WSR way back in 2000 when it was red and called "Hogwarts Express"! I do remember it escaping from the Severn Valley on a couple of other occasions under the aliases of "Dartmoor" and "Ottery St Mary" so that no-one would possibly suspect anything!
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2023
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  17. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    It's Southern...

    Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk
     
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  18. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    Well, Taw Valley is on its way.

    Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk
     
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  19. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Puffing down the M5 towards Taunton is it? :)
     
  20. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Enjoy her, she was in particularly fine fettle at the SVR gala and sounds a lot better following the work on her inside cylinder over the winter.**

    Hope you have a fantastic gala. I will be introducing some friends to the delights of the North Wales narrow gauge this weekend, so won't be able to attend unfortunately, but hope to get down to Somerset soon - is the Lady staying long??

    **(& whisper it quietly, I think she looks rather good in that black livery!!).
     
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