The Somerset Explorer - GWR HST on West Somerset Railway (Paddington to Minehead) - 13 May 2017

[whole diary]

[John R]

A real shame the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) can't make it through to Minehead tomorrow. Sadly I won't get to see it at BL as I'm firing the afternoon train from Minehead that leaves after D1010 at 1455. Hope everyone has a good day!

I saw the green set with Sir Kenneth on the London end go through Twyford earlier today - I hoped they were going to have the IC^▸ (Inter City) Swallow power car on the set as well?

Swallow was indeed on the other end of the set yesterday but one of the heritage power cars failed and our service was terminated at Bristol instead of Weston. So I guess that's why the set got split up.

[bobm]

It's on its way!

[Adelante_CCT]

From GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Journey Check:

08:36 London Paddington to Bishops Lydeard Ws Rwy due 11:40

An additional train service has been planned to operate as shown 08:36 London Paddington to Bishops Lydeard Ws Rwy due 11:40.

Which according to the graph in the top left corner is out in the Irish Sea somewhere 

[bobm]

Been a while since the Fastnet Rock has featured. 

[TaplowGreen]

Did someone forget to apply the brakes?

[GBM]

Did someone forget to apply the brakes?

Trainee driver perhaps 

[grahame]

Been a while since the Fastnet Rock has featured. 

It has indeed.  For new members who haven't come across the Fastnet Rock service, it's where trains that are headed to destinations not in my little database go or start from.  They're train service I'm trying to elimate, so when I see one pop up I add a record to the database.  However, if I'm not around it may take a while for me to get to.

[rogerw]

Time for an update on the day. Outbound it went well.  A bracing ride on the top deck of an open topper from Westbury to Frome. Only 4 on board, 1 from Swindon and myelf and two others from Trowbridge. A good run to Taunton, where we sat for 35 minutes waiting for a relief crew who were delay because of the problems west of Exeter.  They duly arrived and smart work at Bishops Lydiard pulled back time with arrival at Minehead only 8 minutes late.  No sign of BNM but he may have been lost in the crowds. Didn't see Fastnet Rock either  . D1010 performed well all day. The return went smoothly until we came to an abrupt halt at Uphill junction where the Weston line goes off. Problems with lineside equipment was the reason given. Arrival in Weston was 13 minutes late so that our departure on the luxury coach was also late with an arrival in Westbury 30 mintes late.  Luckily there were no passengers for Melksham.  The Swindon passenger returned via Bath.  All in all, a good day with rumours of a repeat in the autumn with the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) running through following track realignment in 3 key places (which is also required for the visit of Flying Scotsman)

[PhilWakely]

No sign of BNM but he may have been lost in the crowds.

With apologies to BNM, but this is one of his own photos that I have shamelessly taken from one of his posts on Facebook today 

[bobm]

If he's been passed out as a driver, I'm getting the bus!   

(oh sorry it wasn't a caption contest!)

[JayMac]

No problem sharing that pic Phil.

rogerw, I was around lineside and at stations through the day. I started the day behind Norton Manor Camp on Montys Lane, on the section of line between Norton Fitzwarren Junction and Bishops Lydeard station. Then to Norton Fitzwarren to catch the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set coming off WSR metals, going back to Taunton to stable.

Then I drove to Minehead to grab pictures of the Western in the station. Then back to Bishops Lydeard for more shots of the HST and, after brazenly asking the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) driver, a quick cab visit. Don't ask, don't get! My next post contains images from the day.

And bobm, if I can safely drive you round the Magic Roundabout in Swindon, twice, then a Class 43 would be a doddle. 

[JayMac]

[LiskeardRich]

Been a while since the Fastnet Rock has featured. 

It has indeed.  For new members who haven't come across the Fastnet Rock service, it's where trains that are headed to destinations not in my little database go or start from.  They're train service I'm trying to elimate, so when I see one pop up I add a record to the database.  However, if I'm not around it may take a while for me to get to.

I'm truly shocked you're trying to eliminate train services    always has you down as a campaigner for more e

[JayMac]

Oh, and funny moment of the day?

Seeing the leaflets (including TransWilts ones I believe) all fall off the merchandise/promotions trolley as it was being pushed across the barrow crossing at Bishops Lydeard. Then blowing hither and thither in the wind. Sadly I was changing lenses at the time so didn't get a picture.

They were all recovered.

[GBM]

Great shots, thank you bignosemac.  Loved seeing them.