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Timmer
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« Reply #45 on: April 12, 2011, 21:47:25 » |
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Yes I remember the stories and the big plans to run services to Taunton hence the big campaign to get the line better connected to the mainline network with the signalling upgraded. It's just a great shame that it is only used for occasional charters and trains taking stone to bolster Minehead's sea defences.
As someone who lives in Bath I would visit Minehead a lot more than I do if there was a connection at Taunton onto the WSR that isn't a bus. Driving from Bath to Taunton is quite a journey even though it isn't that far as the crow flies as its a slow old route. Going M4/M5 really is going the long way round.
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6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01
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« Reply #46 on: April 13, 2011, 00:00:43 » |
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the only thing i will say is that as things stand at the moment, you can get a bus direct from platform 2 and can get threw tickets which are great value, and that if services did run the journey time with line speeds as they are now would probably be longer than the bus
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signalandtelegraph
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« Reply #47 on: April 13, 2011, 19:37:07 » |
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ISTR▸ a lot of the early opposition to trains running back into Taunton was from the NUR who were trying to protect the bus drivers jobs.
If the WSR were to run through to Taunton, I believe this would require an additional 'train set' to maintain their current timetable.
Access to the bays pictured would involve a substantial alteration to the signalling system. Access to the down side bay is curently possible via the relief line. Unfortunately it is not possible to run round which would limit the stock to be used (I believe 'Autocoach' working is not permitted on NR» infrastructure!)
All in all, a variety of reasons apart from cost and each taken in isolation might not be a problem. However when added together then the sums probably dont stack up.
Extension of the Bristol stoppers to Bishops Lydeard/ Norton Fitzwarren would seem to be the way forward.
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Bring back BR▸
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super tm
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« Reply #48 on: April 13, 2011, 22:52:38 » |
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Access to the bays pictured would involve a substantial alteration to the signalling system. Would it not be possible for the WSR to run a track alongside the current running line into the bays pictured. AIUI▸ it used to be four tracked all the way to the junction and it looks like there is sufficient space to lay an extra track. This would not require any extra signalling and run independent of the current railway. I noticed when they replaced the level crossing at Norton Fitzwarren with a bridge they seem to have left room for an extra track. |
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JayMac
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« Reply #49 on: April 13, 2011, 23:13:07 » |
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Still wouldn't solve the run-round problem, leaving only WSRs heritage DMUs▸ able to run into Taunton.
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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Electric train
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« Reply #50 on: April 14, 2011, 07:00:36 » |
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Access to the bays pictured would involve a substantial alteration to the signalling system. Would it not be possible for the WSR to run a track alongside the current running line into the bays pictured. AIUI▸ it used to be four tracked all the way to the junction and it looks like there is sufficient space to lay an extra track. This would not require any extra signalling and run independent of the current railway. I noticed when they replaced the level crossing at Norton Fitzwarren with a bridge they seem to have left room for an extra track. This is where the Chinnor & Princess Risborough Railway are having problems running from Tame Jcn to PR▸ station and that only runs alongside an NR» operational "siding." NR would I suspect require a fence (post and wire would do) to prevent passengers in the event of evacuation or WSR track / ops staff getting onto its operational lines the WSR track / ops could hold NR track competencies but that would need them being part of the Sentinel scheme, The Bunk at Cholsey achieved it but their parallel running is only a few meters |
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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super tm
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« Reply #51 on: April 14, 2011, 07:57:29 » |
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TWERPs (Tunbridge wells and Eridge Railway) has just reopened into Eridge station which has parallel running with network rail and no fence.
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super tm
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« Reply #52 on: April 14, 2011, 08:53:57 » |
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Still wouldn't solve the run-round problem, leaving only WSRs heritage DMUs▸ able to run into Taunton.
There are two platform in the bay and there seems to be enough room leading up to have two tracks. You could have a run round loop within the platform area. However I suspect one of the major problems is that signalling cable etx are currently located in the trackbed where the extra track could run. This would be quite expensive to relocate. |
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thetrout
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« Reply #54 on: April 18, 2011, 09:27:30 » |
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Top and Tail 31's anyone...  It's been done before! |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #57 on: May 04, 2011, 13:46:09 » |
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From thisisthewestcountry: Two innovative Minehead developments received the royal seal of approval when the Duke of Gloucester officially opened them.
The town's new ^25.5m community hospital and the recently completed ^300,000 Joint Cadet Centre were opened by the Duke yesterday.
Former and current West Somerset Railway staff members welcomed the Duke as he arrived at Minehead Railway Station on the steam train from Bishops Lydeard.
West Somerset Railway General Manager Paul Conibeare said: ^It went very well and what a great time for him to visit - on our 35th anniversary year.^
He said a lot of background work was done to make the visit memorable for the Duke who was presented with a model of the train he travelled on.
He added: ^It all went to plan and were running a few minutes ahead of schedule.^
From thisissomerset: Dream come true as Duke shovels coal on Somerset steam loco
Royal steam enthusiast the Duke of Gloucester realised every steam fan's dream when he rode a steam locomotive footplate during a busy day in the West, even helping to shovel coal.
The Duke was in Somerset, yesterday,to open the new ^25 million Minehead Community Hospital and Minehead Joint Cadet Centre, and his official duties offered the perfect opportunity for him to become a volunteer on the West Somerset Railway
The heritage line runs from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead so the Duke boarded a special train at Bishops Lydeard, carrying VIP guests to Minehead
He rode the footplate for the first few miles, as far as Crowcombe Heathfield station, before joining the coaches for the remainder of the journey.
Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Lady Elizabeth Gass, West Somerset Railway Chairman Humphrey Davies, the Railway's general manager Paul Conibeare and Don Bishop representing the volunteers and supporters of the West Somerset Railway Association were also aboard.
When the train arrived at Minehead the Duke met some of the Railway's volunteer workforce before watching a steam locomotive turned on the turntable which is a big feature of the tourist attraction line.
The Duke is a Patron of the Severn Valley Railway.
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« Last Edit: May 04, 2011, 14:05:28 by chris from nailsea »
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #58 on: May 04, 2011, 13:49:18 » |
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Gloucester? Shurely shum mishtake?......:-)
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JayMac
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« Reply #59 on: May 04, 2011, 15:28:34 » |
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Jammy git! Us mere mortals have to pay upwards of ^400 for a footplate experience on the WSR. |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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