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  • Taunton - WSR shuttle starts: July 27, 2019
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Author Topic: West Somerset Railway - heritage line, Bishops Lydeard to Minehead - merged topic, ongoing discussio  (Read 183934 times)
grahame
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« Reply #240 on: July 05, 2019, 05:35:46 »

Perhaps (if and?) when the 769s arrive they could be run for testing on this route as part of their acceptance trials?

An awful long way from any electrics ... I suppose they could run Cardiff to Bishops Lydeard, but perhaps better to initially cascade units displaced from running diesel out of Reading depot on part-electric routes.  Maybe they could be tested on the West Somerset as part of acceptance trials, but that would be irregular and without carrying passengers I suspect.

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If they do not arrive on time presumably the GW (Great Western) fleet will be under strain.

Yes, but that's now a commercial decision to keep the size of the fleet to a manageable minimum and to expect the class 143 pacers to be displaced by incoming trains.  Should the powers that be wish, plenty more 2+4 castles or classics could be taken out of store and run ... to destinations such as Barstaple, Weymouth, Swindon as well as them taking a higher proportion of services on the Cardiff to Penzance service and shorter workings along the way.
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Timmer
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« Reply #241 on: July 05, 2019, 06:29:38 »

Yes, but that's now a commercial decision to keep the size of the fleet to a manageable minimum and to expect the class 143 pacers to be displaced by incoming trains.  Should the powers that be wish, plenty more 2+4 castles or classics could be taken out of store and run ... to destinations such as Barstaple, Weymouth, Swindon as well as them taking a higher proportion of services on the Cardiff to Penzance service and shorter workings along the way.
Which has always been the biggest problem of privatisation for passengers that of course TOCs (Train Operating Company) are always going to lease a fleet at the absolute minimum that they can get away with. With an ageing fleet and a lack of investment by TOCs and government leading to short forms and cancellations.
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ellendune
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« Reply #242 on: July 05, 2019, 22:10:44 »

With an ageing fleet and a lack of investment by TOCs (Train Operating Company) and government leading to short forms and cancellations.

Then is it my imagination that every new franchise recently been ordering lots of new trains even sometimes when the existing ones weren't very old (or in SWR» (South Western Railway - about)'s case barely out of the box)?
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Timmer
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« Reply #243 on: July 06, 2019, 07:44:54 »

Then is it my imagination that every new franchise recently been ordering lots of new trains even sometimes when the existing ones weren't very old (or in SWR» (South Western Railway - about)'s case barely out of the box)?
And how many years has this taken and how many franchises are still running ex BR (British Rail(ways)) stock that is 30+ years old? I’m thinking about the franchises like Northern and GWR (Great Western Railway) where on local lines these trains are set to continue for a good few years yet.

Take a look at today’s GWR Journeycheck where you will see 31 services listed as shortformed due to ‘train faults’ and the 29 on Northern’s Journeycheck page. All local services, where old tired rolling stock continues to operate these services. Not much investment there.
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Celestial
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« Reply #244 on: July 06, 2019, 09:49:39 »

Then is it my imagination that every new franchise recently been ordering lots of new trains even sometimes when the existing ones weren't very old (or in SWR» (South Western Railway - about)'s case barely out of the box)?
And how many years has this taken and how many franchises are still running ex BR (British Rail(ways)) stock that is 30+ years old? I’m thinking about the franchises like Northern and GWR (Great Western Railway) where on local lines these trains are set to continue for a good few years yet.

Take a look at today’s GWR Journeycheck where you will see 31 services listed as shortformed due to ‘train faults’ and the 29 on Northern’s Journeycheck page. All local services, where old tired rolling stock continues to operate these services. Not much investment there.
Of the 31 12 are one unit running between Bristol and Weston, and another 8  are one unit running around Exeter. So maybe not as bad as 31 initially sounds?

Northern has got a massive order of new stock (in fact the first 9 units started this week), so lots of investment there. It just takes time to deliver.


If you think the trains should have a lifespan of 30 to 40 years then it's not surprising that there is still BR stock running around, 20 years after privatisation.  And I'm sure BR had lots of short formed services every day - we just didn't know about it pre-internet.


And of course, it's the government that really decides which franchises are going to order new stock and how much, so in reality no change there since BR days. 
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Timmer
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« Reply #245 on: July 06, 2019, 10:16:58 »

Northern has got a massive order of new stock (in fact the first 9 units started this week), so lots of investment there. It just takes time to deliver.


If you think the trains should have a lifespan of 30 to 40 years then it's not surprising that there is still BR (British Rail(ways)) stock running around, 20 years after privatisation.  And I'm sure BR had lots of short formed services every day - we just didn't know about it pre-internet.


And of course, it's the government that really decides which franchises are going to order new stock and how much, so in reality no change there since BR days. 
Indeed, Northern does have a massive order for new stock which at long last is to be welcomed. My how their passengers have suffered up there for many years because of under investment. Same goes for services in Wales and East Midlands. At least they now have new rolling stock for local services to look forward to whereas we don’t.

Can’t answer about whether BR had many shortformed services. All I would say is they did have a lot more spare rolling stock at their disposal.

And finally. Yes it is the government that controls what is spent and what isn’t in effect dictating how the franchise is run so it is them who I hold responsible for the under investment in our rail network on a local level for so many years.

Please understand my frustration when it comes to the GW (Great Western) franchise on a local level that we would be looking at at least five years before we would see any new rolling stock. On a line that I use, the Cardiff-Portsmouth line, a few years back we were so close to getting brand new trains, now we have Turbos with five across seating, a definite step back from the 158s they are replacing.
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bobm
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« Reply #246 on: July 08, 2019, 17:34:53 »

Service to start on 27th July.

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/new-somerset-train-services-start-on-july-27-gwr-shuttles-to-west-somerset-railway-details-announced

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Taunton Link for WSR 2019

The WSR and GWR (Great Western Railway) are together providing a rail link between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard on seven Saturdays during the summer of 2019.  Details at a glance are:

Dates.  Trains will run between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard on the following Saturdays:

July 27

August 3, 17, 31

September 7, 21

October 5

(on 3 August, trains will call additionally at Norton Fitzwarren)


More details in the link.
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broadgage
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« Reply #247 on: July 08, 2019, 18:26:35 »

Glad to see this, but just 7 days a year and that only after missing the first two thirds of the summer is not very impressive.

I expect to use at least one of these services, do not know which one as yet.
If any coffee shop members intend to travel, perhaps we might meet.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
grahame
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« Reply #248 on: July 08, 2019, 18:29:52 »

Glad to see this, but just 7 days a year and that only after missing the first two thirds of the summer is not very impressive.

I expect to use at least one of these services, do not know which one as yet.
If any coffee shop members intend to travel, perhaps we might meet.

It is more than 50% likely I will be around on 3rd and / or 4th August, but nowhere near certain.
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bradshaw
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« Reply #249 on: July 20, 2019, 09:55:32 »

The West Somerset Railway is engaging an heritage railway track specialist to survey the line to get a comprehensive knowledge of it state and produce a long term plan for its future

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Full Independent Track Survey to raise standards on the West Somerset Railway

The West Somerset Railway is delighted to announce that it has commissioned a full independent track survey of the complete line between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, to be carried out by a fully qualified heritage railway civil engineer

Jonathan Jones-Pratt, the WSR PLC Chairman commented “This is to ensure that a proper audit and independent evaluation is made of the work currently being carried out on our track infrastructure, so as to provide absolute assurance and transparency for those people who kindly support us with donations. The survey will also enable us to clarify all of the core assets involved along the track in a greater level of detail than we have today”.

The evaluation will be carried out using a traffic light system to identify which of the assets require most immediate attention versus those that can be maintained over a longer term basis. It will also help ensure we are maintaining the West Somerset Railway to fully meet the requirements of the government’s light railway order, both now and into the future.

One of the key objectives for the railway has been to restore the previous ‘red route’ status which allows the heavier locomotives, such as Flying Scotsman, to make high profile visits to the line, giving the railway much needed publicity and additional revenues. This survey will enable the board to accurately assess the work needed to restore red status to the line.

Jonathan Jones-Pratt comments “The output from this survey is expected to be a 5-10 year plan that can be delivered by teams of volunteers and a core group of paid staff working together to raise overall standards on the railway. The board will empower these people to ‘get on with the job’ by giving them sensible budgetary guidance and being prepared to listen and react to support the various initiatives arising from this survey”.

This initiative is part of a much wider strategy to raise standards across all areas of the railway; to achieve best practice in all areas of maintenance and repair; and to restore pride in the overall operation of the Railway by bringing in fresh new people who are best qualified to provide the railway with the right level of detail and assessment.
https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/july-track-information
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bradshaw
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« Reply #250 on: July 26, 2019, 19:18:32 »

The Taunton to Bishops Lydeard shuttle starts tomorrow and then every Saturday thence  August 3rd, 17th, 31st, September 7th, 21st and 5th October

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https://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/newsarchive/2019/07#571 Returns on the Bishops Lydeard - Taunton shuttle are £6.00 for adults and seniors and £3.00 for people aged 3 to 17; singles will cost £4.00 and £2.00. The service will connect with WSR train services allowing passengers who travel out on the first train of the day and back on the last train can have around four hours in Minehead (or less if they wish to travel back on an earlier service). Trains are most likely to be formed of a two coach Class 150 unit and depart Taunton at 09:39, 10:28, 12:10, 15:37 and 16:36, and depart Bishops Lydeard back to Taunton at 10:03, 11:45, 12:53, 16:09 and 17:28..
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grahame
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« Reply #251 on: July 26, 2019, 19:33:43 »

The Taunton to Bishops Lydeard shuttle starts tomorrow and then every Saturday thence  August 3rd, 17th, 31st, September 7th, 21st and 5th October

I have added the first and last of those to the calendar - though I have described 5th October as "final for the year" with an optimism that we will see more and better in 2020.

Personally I may be there on 3rd August - the fayre at Norton Fitzwarren.  Still waiting to see how the need for RailFuture branch helpers pans out - I want to avoid going all the way from Melksham to Taunton for a single short shift if I possibly can!
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bobm
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« Reply #252 on: July 26, 2019, 19:42:47 »

Assuming my train to Taunton doesn’t fall victim to weekend staff shortages I will there tomorrow.
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bobm
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« Reply #253 on: July 27, 2019, 13:18:42 »

A good turn out for the launch of the new service.



Among those on the platform at Taunton to welcome the class 150 for the service was Peter Taunton, the town crier of.... er Stafford(!)



The train was sent on its way by Rebecca Pow, the local MP (Member of Parliament), with about 90 making the first trip





At Bishops Lydeard the train was brought into the same platform as the connecting steam service meaning just a short walk forward for those going to Minehead.





The train will make five round trips on each of the operating days taking 17 minutes to make the journey compared to 31 minutes by the bus (which still runs from outside Taunton Station and continues to Minehead).



« Last Edit: July 27, 2019, 18:59:45 by bobm » Logged
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« Reply #254 on: July 29, 2019, 22:17:54 »

Planning to do this trip on a Saturday. The 0730 Ex Truro gets into Taunton at 1022 and the Bishops Lydeard service goes out at 1028. Looking at RTT» (Real Time Trains - website) last week that wouldn't seem a problem. If the 0730 was late running how would anyone recommend getting to BL for the 1100 to Minehead? I am presuming a taxi would be the only option. Would GWR (Great Western Railway) hold the BL service for a few minutes if a connection could be made with a slightly late running PZ to Paddington service? The other option would be to use the XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service leaving Truro just after 0700, I'd prefer not to use that though.

Guidance would be welcomed.
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