Railpassion

On 23/09/2021 at 18:53, Market65 said:

Good evening, everyone. This evening I have found a photo’, again by Syd Young on Flickr, of Cottingham, on the 25th August, 1979. It shows a double headed train by 37161 and 40119, and the identity of the train would appear to be the 11.12 London Kings Cross to Scarborough, and, apparently 37161 came to the rescue of a failed 40119 at Gilberdyke. 
 

37161 + 40119 - Cottingham by Syd Young, on Flickr

 

And something extra for today. It is a hastely taken photo’ from a train I was on approaching Bridlington station. It shows the redundant track and signalling being broken up prior to being taken away for scrap - unless some signal parts can be used on a preserved line.

 

 

Best regards,

 

 Rob.

A sad sight to see - 7 and 8 starters down. End of an era.

NYMR has a four car dining set which in past years has brought in c. £240,000 per year. It is staffed by some volunteers and some paid staff. Since the early days the diner has provided a valuable base income stream for the NYMR. 

The QB was doing something similar for the WSR. It seems the QB made a profit until things were changed and it was taken over by the Plc. I have read more about the Plc in recent days and little of it is pleasant. 

The value of the QB set is in it's future income potential to the the railway. The value of the 4 carriages at auction may not be much at all.

In Russia in the 90's some state companies were asset-stripped by certain cronies, new to the boards, and the value of the companies was then much reduced enabling a private buyout for pennies by the same cronies. 

In the UK it's not for nothing that the early actors in rail privatisation were known as the 'bus bandits'.

So what is the real plan at the WSR? 

I would be careful of the 1:40 gradient. Going up should be just about OK for powerful locos with traction tyres at speed, but coming down may present problems with couplings overriding especially on a helix. Many recommend 1:30 to 33 max. 

The previous crossing had the flashing white light in the up direction but in the down direction, possibly uniquely, the  flashing white was incorporated into the signal using a three aspect signal head. The Stationmaster may know of similar arrangements elsewhere.

What started out as a fairly routine upgrade paid for by the council has become a fiasco endangering the future of the line. 

As late as October 2019 the Plc seemed to be discussing using semaphore signals and even relocating the signal box (!) despite being warned in an inspection in February 2018 that the crossing equipment would only last until March 2019.

With no trains to trouble contractors in 2020, last year would have been an ideal time to get the job done. 

YouTube is a good thing. It helps to see other modellers at all levels and some layouts are an inspiration. I've spent many an hour on dark winter days watching layout videos especially as I can now put them on my TV. 

One of the earliest channels I watched was @Jenny Emily and found I was looking back every few days to see what was running in and out of the shed. With YouTube you can share your layout the joys and tribulations.

The latest newsletter is here:

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/platform-newsletter-june-2021

A not entirely honest explanation of the crossing situation. Also, direct criticism of the Plc by the WSRA. 

Others will be better placed to comment on the staffing changes. 

At least the WSR has some stunning views and there are some excellent pictures here and on the WSRA website. 

The 33 looks well, a credit to the guys at Williton.

Minehead is the centre piece of the WSR. A spacious track layout, ideal for crowds a few steps from the sea with stunning views. The town is well kept and the people are friendly. It certainly is a town worth visiting with Exmoor nearby and stunning beach walks to Dunster. It's a perfect place for families, it's not Padstein but there are reasonable restaurants and sensible prices.

I spent a few days there around 2015 and met quite a few volunteers. One took me to a concert of the local orchestra where the audience was over 800. I'd half expected to find a town in decline like many seaside resorts but this was a town that had managed to retain its self-esteem.  I was struck by the sheer number of WSR volunteers and their quiet enthusiasm. Things were done well and standards were high on the platform and onboard in the train buffets. 

That the railway management could even conceive threatening access to the jewel in their crown beggars belief. 

That the station will be cut off and silent for another high season in the year of the staycation can only mean the people in charge have some sort of death wish. It's such a shame.

As for the timetable, not so good for those staying in Minehead, take a look 

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/timetables/view/163

I haven't been keeping track of the WSR situation for a while and I read the latest news from the WSR with astonishment. That Minehead, the principal destination, will lose the entire summer due to the level crossing issue demonstrates how badly run the WSR really is. To have this happen after all the ill-feeling over the S&DR business and the earlier feuds must be heartbreaking for so many volunteers and staff.

The particular signal arrangements had served the railway well and for the management to indulge themselves on a whim about semaphore signals and historical authenticity after the detailed design had already been drawn up demonstrates that they are not fit to continue in their roles. 

Andrew Haines is the anointed one. He's the obvious choice as he will be able to shape and manage the transition. It's why he was appointed at NR as the DfT has been preparing this for some years. 

I see you're selling the Lenz on eBay.

uDr your plans inspired me to start in US HO. It's a box car trainset which, so far, I'm really enjoying working on. A simple track plan and lots of shunting. 

The track is down and scenery is just beginning 

Superb footage of the Hiwassee Loop in Tennessee

Erm.....

2 minutes ago, phil-b259 said:

 

Please note the interior fit out of the 800s was decided by the DfT  - and they are the ones forcing the use of uncomfortable seats and minimal catering on the industry. Somehow I doubt that mentality will have changed - if anything they will be focused on getting some cash back from Hitachi to fill the massive hole in the Government finances caused by having to subsidise TOCs during the Pandemic.

 

IIRC GWR could have specified a better interior on the 802s they ordered for South West services but this would have drawn unfavourable comparisons with the DfT procured 800s - and as GWR are operated under a management contract for the DfT then I don't see that changing. Similarly with LNER and TPE interior changes are not going to be on the agenda for as long as the DfT is calling the shots.

 

 

 

Indeed, the specification was the problem - even Hitachi told them that. At least the Japanese ambassador got a comfortable chair in Phil Hammond's office, and our man in Tokyo went on to lead Hitachi Europe. 

Somehow I think we've been here before. It didn't end well.

With the implications into the worrying collision and derailment at Marsh Lane in Leeds still being investigated and modelled, Hitachi may have more problems to contend with. 

If trains need to be taken out out of use and stripped down it may be wise to refit the dreary interior with better seats, sensible lighting and more luggage space. A buffet would be nice too. The entire passenger environment could be enhanced whilst sets were away for repair. 

Meanwhile the railway is paying Jaguar prices for a Honda Accord.

Presentationally  I think we've gone from Acorn Antiques to Thunderbirds.

It depends on the regions. Western was cutting back to the bone in the late 60s and 70s. Mainlines were singled yet in the Eastern Region the Redmire branch was still using staffed signal and crossing boxes for basically one freight train a day and the odd trip working for a decade or so longer. 

Thanks, I'll take a look. It must be very frustrating to be missing out on so much university life. 

Any more developments recently?

Many people in the countryside do not have gas but rely on solid fuel to heat using Rayburns and other boilers. Oil systems are £3000 plus to install not including the radiators. The cost is big deterrent to those on low incomes, particularly those in rented homes. 

I think we are are on the verge of an enormous crisis if the transition is not skilfully and sensitively managed. 

My local wood supplier cuts up pallets for his main supply. The wood burns well and at £1.50 a bag is snip.

Ryo: I'm very well thank you, and you?

Berry: I'm particularly well

I presume Berry has left the show for a major role in Acorn Antiques. 

Ooh, aah, what's that? It's Cathy Cat.

Ryo: So tell us Cathy, how much do you know about railways?

I love it.

I agree, it's over provision when have Theatre box signals where the box remains dark for a route. It's not consistent. 

Yes, if both routes are equal speed at divergence two feathers are preferred in the new standards. There's another example on the East Grinstead extension at the Bluebell.