Junction for the West Somerset Railway

[whole diary]

[Tim]

I would visit the WSR much more if the trains started at Taunton. 

the bus link adds to the hassle and trips the balance in favour of going somewhere else for a day out

[devon_metro]

It won't be a class 67 as present either...

[inspector_blakey]

According to the WSR news site it's to be "ex-Virgin" (not totally sure what they mean by that, unless they're alluding to the ones that have been repainted for operations like the ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) loco-hauled set) class 57/3s, with the trains operated by First GBRf.

Having the stock stabled and serviced at Bishops Lydeard by WSR seems like an innovative and elegant MO to me.

[paul7575]

Two Virgin liveried 57s  arrived at Eastleigh yesterday. The 'word on the platform' was that they are to be repainted for use somewhere.  All over dark blue perhaps, just like the ones that aren't in full ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) colours?

Paul

[Btline]

I would visit the WSR much more if the trains started at Taunton. 

the bus link adds to the hassle and trips the balance in favour of going somewhere else for a day out

I expect most people come by car, or have driven to Minehead already, so I doubt it would vastly increase passengers.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Actually, if you read back through previous posts on this particular topic, you will note that the majority of our members posting here would visit the WSR more, if there was a rail connection from Taunton. Myself included.

We only resort to driving there because there isn't such a rail connection. 

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

and that road just isnt fun!

[Timmer]

Actually, if you read back through previous posts on this particular topic, you will note that the majority of our members posting here would visit the WSR more, if there was a rail connection from Taunton. Myself included.

Yes I am one of them who would visit Minehead more if the rail link to Taunton was restored.

[devon_metro]

Two Virgin liveried 57s  arrived at Eastleigh yesterday. The 'word on the platform' was that they are to be repainted for use somewhere.  All over dark blue perhaps, just like the ones that aren't in full ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) colours?

Paul

Engine overhauls!

[Btline]

Actually, if you read back through previous posts on this particular topic, you will note that the majority of our members posting here would visit the WSR more, if there was a rail connection from Taunton. Myself included.

We only resort to driving there because there isn't such a rail connection. 

That may be true, and don't get me wrong - I think there should be a connection. But Joe Bloggs family go everywhere by car. I would imagine that <10% of WSR people arrive by car. With a rail link, it would only encourage a few more.

[inspector_blakey]

I would imagine that <10% of WSR people arrive by car.

Que?

That doesn't even make much sense if you use a "greater than" symbol instead of the "less than"   

[Andy]

As someone who visited the WSR this year for the Mixed Traffic Gala  - the hydraulics were the main attraction for me, not Tornado    - I would like to reassure posters who may be put off by the comments about transferring from Taunton to the WSR. In the worst case scenario, the cost of a taxi to Bishop's Lydeard from Taunton is not that much when divided by 4 passengers but, as previous posters have said, during special events a WSR shuttle supplements the regular bus service. That's all you need as getting to Minehead can and should be done on the WSR itself.

The railway itself is fantastic and I can't recommend it highly enough; there's a super atmosphere, thanks to volunteers and staff, who couldn't be more obliging or welcoming, and so much to see and enjoy along the whole length of the line.

As far as I could gather from a few conversations with staff at Taunton and on the WSR, relations between the railway and NR^» (Network Rail - home page) seem to be characterised by respect and goodwill. Hopefully, at some point progress will be made at least towards establishing an interchange to enable connections - at Norton Fitzwarren or at Taunton.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks, Andy!

Yes: just to clarify, I think the general concern here is over the lack of a rail connection between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard.

When I drive there, I only drive to Bishops Lydeard - I certainly wouldn't 'waste my time' driving to Minehead! 

[stebbo]

I've travelled on the WSR many moons ago when staying with a friend in Minehead so I can't comment on the current situation that accurately.

But if there is the possibility of the WSR getting back into Taunton it seems, from a distance, crazy they're not looking at it.

Surely any heritage railway that can get a connection with BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) should be looking at it.

[TheLastMinute]

Unfortunately, as with many things these days, there are just some many issues to overcome no matter how much the WSR would love to be providing a service to Taunton.

For example, if they should want to run a service into Taunton, they'll need to undertake a full safely case, hire in Mark 3 stock from somewhere, train up all of their operational staff that operate on the mainline to have a full PTS^▸ (Personal Track Safety) certificate, pay Network Rail for track access, pay a driver, guard and signalmen to cover any shifts that can't be covered by volunteers etc. etc. In short, it won't be cheap.

On the other hand, if a TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) were to run onto the WSR, would a service from the main line only as far as Bishops Lydeard be worth it? Would a TOC want to tie up valuable mainline stock for 2 hours running at 25mph for the 40 mile round trip to Minehead? Would the WSR want to give up the paths over their track during the high summer season when there are very few spare (and none at all during special events)? And the infrastructure maintenance happen that's currently undertaken by volunteers on non running days - when would this happen if trains were running year round?

And whatever happens, what if some failure of WSR Infrastructure or other caused delays to mainline trains? How much would they have to pay in fines to other TOCs?

Many Heritage Railways barley get by financially, even the big ones can make ends meet because the vast majority of their workforce are volunteers. Any mainline operation could very easy bankrupt a heritage railway so the WSR are very right to be utlra caushus and not rush into a operating a service to Taunton.

TLM