Next weekend is the WSR's so-called "Mixed Traction" event, dominated by diesel haulage and diesel enthusiasts.
The general public need to be warned against travelling on anything but the lone steam train.
The WSR need to be more honest and call it a "Diesel Gala" - and if you don't believe me here is the link to the official WSR website page for this event so you can have a look at the pictures and words.
The only mention of steam on that page is "Saturday & Sunday one steam round trip each day"
And also move the event to the Spring or Autumn when steam trains don't usually run.
Pity the poor steam train seeking family who board the first few coaches of a diesel-headed train during this event...
Showing posts with label steam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label steam. Show all posts
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Monday, 23 May 2011
Solar farm going ahead...
I have written before about the solar array (or whatever it is called) that was proposed for the field to the west of Whiskey Trail Crossing (aka Sandy Lane Crossing).
I hear it is going ahead and the field is pegged out. Construction should be well underway through the summer months.
According to Mike Rigby's Blog http://mikerigby.org/2011/05/18/sandhill-solar-park-work-begins/ the 1.8m perimeter security fence will be placed behind a screen of greenery.
I still prefer a nice meadow behind a nice heritage post and wire fence.
It's a good job there's still going to be a lot of nice countryside either side of the West Somerset Railway between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.
Sigh...
I hear it is going ahead and the field is pegged out. Construction should be well underway through the summer months.
According to Mike Rigby's Blog http://mikerigby.org/2011/05/18/sandhill-solar-park-work-begins/ the 1.8m perimeter security fence will be placed behind a screen of greenery.
I still prefer a nice meadow behind a nice heritage post and wire fence.
It's a good job there's still going to be a lot of nice countryside either side of the West Somerset Railway between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.
Sigh...
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Train travel and the new wheelchair policy
When holidaying in the area our family often use the West Somerset Railway as part of a day out.
This year, for the first time, we were subjected to the WSR's new wheelchair policy.
We had already contacted the Railway to allow them to assess the wheelchair used by our son, Matt. The length of the wheelchair, in its normal travelling position, exceeds the maximum dimensions allowed under the newly introduced policy. Despite being around 170mm too long, they granted a three year permit-to-travel to my son. The conditions of the permission require a named carer to accompany Matt. The carer is also responsible for moving the chair at all times when on the Railway. Other conditions require a phone call to the Railway to ensure Matt can be carried on the chosen day and train.
Anyway. One rainy morning, a train trip seemed a good way of getting out of the house so we decided Matt and his Mum would make a single journey from Dunster to Bishops Lydeard. We duly rang the Railway and during a very pleasant conversation we were advised to speak to the Dunster Station staff who would show us where the brake van would stop so help speed the loading of the wheelchair. The man on the phone did not quiz us about the size of the wheelchair or ask if we had a permit, and he cheerily concluded with "We look forward to seeing you"
The Dunster staff were very helpful, as were the train staff and before long the train had arrived, everyone safely boarded, and the train was on its way. On board, Matt and his Mum joined two other wheelchair users and their carers, all making for Bishops Lydeard. Whilst we knew what the fare would be, the ticket inspector was not quite so sure, maybe the new policy had confuse him.
Now the brake van had three wheelchairs and things were a bit tight. Not helped by the two large bikes propped against the carriage wall and taking up as much space as a wheelchair. Not only were the bikes not strapped to the coach and therefore able to topple and injure someone quite unable to move quickly out of the way, but it seems there is no policy on the size of bikes nor on the safe carriage of bikes. So non-essential bikes are welcome without question; essential wheelchairs are subject to all manner of question, approval, pre-planned arrangements, provision of attendant carer and so on.
We planned a second train trip. It was to be an afternoon trip for all three of us. However, as most people find on the morning of the day, the weather looked better in the morning with rain promised for the afternoon. So we revised our plans. Good job we had not made elaborate arrangements with the Railway Company. Again, we phoned the Railway. We want to take the wheelchair from Watchet to Washford on the 11.59am from Watchet. This time the Railway man was not so sure whether we could go or not. "It's a Gala day" he said but did not explain how a "Gala day" would affect our plans.
As an afterthought, he asked if the wheelchair was "big". In our opinion it is not a big chair so we said "no". That answer was seemingly accepted. We were not asked if we had a permit.
We parked near Washford Station and enjoyed the Mineral Line Walk to Watchet. At Watchet Station we asked at the booking office for our tickets to Washford. There was a little confusion about the fares for wheelchair users and carers. but with a little help from us it was resolved. We were advised the Railway had brought in a new wheelchair policy and the Station staff had a brief discussion about whether Matt's chair was oversize or not. We broke into the conversation and said it was but it had been assessed by the Railway and that a permit had been issued. The Station staff then went on to tell us the reasons for bringing in the new policy, although we did not understand why the reasons applied to Matt.
It's fair to say the Station staff were very friendly and helpful although perhaps a little embarassed when dealing with the new policy and trying to explain why it was introduced. We were shown where to wait for the train and heard more about heavy wheelchairs and crushed toes of Station staff.
The brake van was packed. With standing passengers. It was a busy train. There were a couple of seats, occupied by "normal" passengers, who stayed put. Matt was unable to get to a window and spent the mercifully short journey to Washford surrounded by standing passengers.
The train staff were excellent and helped as much as they could in the circumstances.
So, how did the new wheelchair policy affect our trips? On the positive side, despite having a wheelchair that falls foul of the policy, we were able to travel. On the negative, the requirement to phone seemed pointless because the situation on the trains was not known to the guy on the phone who was therefore not able to give quality advice about space in the brake van.
Lots of mixed messages. Lots of confusion. Lots of embarassment on both sides.
Finally. The notices on blue A4 paper posted at Minehead bluntly suggest wheelchairs exceeding the maximum dimensions will not be carried. Our trips prove the blue notice statement is incorrect. And had we simply arrived at the Station, like many do, and then read the notice, we could so easily have turned away, feeling unwelcome, and not spent money on tickets and in the shops and cafes. And not have enjoyed a trip on a steam train. We'd advise the Railway to revise the wording on those blue notices.
This year, for the first time, we were subjected to the WSR's new wheelchair policy.
We had already contacted the Railway to allow them to assess the wheelchair used by our son, Matt. The length of the wheelchair, in its normal travelling position, exceeds the maximum dimensions allowed under the newly introduced policy. Despite being around 170mm too long, they granted a three year permit-to-travel to my son. The conditions of the permission require a named carer to accompany Matt. The carer is also responsible for moving the chair at all times when on the Railway. Other conditions require a phone call to the Railway to ensure Matt can be carried on the chosen day and train.
Anyway. One rainy morning, a train trip seemed a good way of getting out of the house so we decided Matt and his Mum would make a single journey from Dunster to Bishops Lydeard. We duly rang the Railway and during a very pleasant conversation we were advised to speak to the Dunster Station staff who would show us where the brake van would stop so help speed the loading of the wheelchair. The man on the phone did not quiz us about the size of the wheelchair or ask if we had a permit, and he cheerily concluded with "We look forward to seeing you"
The Dunster staff were very helpful, as were the train staff and before long the train had arrived, everyone safely boarded, and the train was on its way. On board, Matt and his Mum joined two other wheelchair users and their carers, all making for Bishops Lydeard. Whilst we knew what the fare would be, the ticket inspector was not quite so sure, maybe the new policy had confuse him.
Now the brake van had three wheelchairs and things were a bit tight. Not helped by the two large bikes propped against the carriage wall and taking up as much space as a wheelchair. Not only were the bikes not strapped to the coach and therefore able to topple and injure someone quite unable to move quickly out of the way, but it seems there is no policy on the size of bikes nor on the safe carriage of bikes. So non-essential bikes are welcome without question; essential wheelchairs are subject to all manner of question, approval, pre-planned arrangements, provision of attendant carer and so on.
We planned a second train trip. It was to be an afternoon trip for all three of us. However, as most people find on the morning of the day, the weather looked better in the morning with rain promised for the afternoon. So we revised our plans. Good job we had not made elaborate arrangements with the Railway Company. Again, we phoned the Railway. We want to take the wheelchair from Watchet to Washford on the 11.59am from Watchet. This time the Railway man was not so sure whether we could go or not. "It's a Gala day" he said but did not explain how a "Gala day" would affect our plans.
As an afterthought, he asked if the wheelchair was "big". In our opinion it is not a big chair so we said "no". That answer was seemingly accepted. We were not asked if we had a permit.
We parked near Washford Station and enjoyed the Mineral Line Walk to Watchet. At Watchet Station we asked at the booking office for our tickets to Washford. There was a little confusion about the fares for wheelchair users and carers. but with a little help from us it was resolved. We were advised the Railway had brought in a new wheelchair policy and the Station staff had a brief discussion about whether Matt's chair was oversize or not. We broke into the conversation and said it was but it had been assessed by the Railway and that a permit had been issued. The Station staff then went on to tell us the reasons for bringing in the new policy, although we did not understand why the reasons applied to Matt.
It's fair to say the Station staff were very friendly and helpful although perhaps a little embarassed when dealing with the new policy and trying to explain why it was introduced. We were shown where to wait for the train and heard more about heavy wheelchairs and crushed toes of Station staff.
The brake van was packed. With standing passengers. It was a busy train. There were a couple of seats, occupied by "normal" passengers, who stayed put. Matt was unable to get to a window and spent the mercifully short journey to Washford surrounded by standing passengers.
The train staff were excellent and helped as much as they could in the circumstances.
So, how did the new wheelchair policy affect our trips? On the positive side, despite having a wheelchair that falls foul of the policy, we were able to travel. On the negative, the requirement to phone seemed pointless because the situation on the trains was not known to the guy on the phone who was therefore not able to give quality advice about space in the brake van.
Lots of mixed messages. Lots of confusion. Lots of embarassment on both sides.
Finally. The notices on blue A4 paper posted at Minehead bluntly suggest wheelchairs exceeding the maximum dimensions will not be carried. Our trips prove the blue notice statement is incorrect. And had we simply arrived at the Station, like many do, and then read the notice, we could so easily have turned away, feeling unwelcome, and not spent money on tickets and in the shops and cafes. And not have enjoyed a trip on a steam train. We'd advise the Railway to revise the wording on those blue notices.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Wheelchair users could be denied travel on West Somerset Railway
The WSR has introduced new policy for disabled visitors. It contains useful advice about which station facilities are suitable or not. It seems the "disabled", if they can show they are indeed "disabled", can get half fare travel, and their carer likewise. I'm not quite sure who on the WSR staff determines whether a visitor is "disabled" and who is a "carer". Personally, I think it would be better for the Railway to charge full fare and use the extra revenue to invest in better facilities on the trains and stations for those who find the present arrangement wanting. To be fair, the WSR has and is investing in better facilities. A little more cash might speed that work.
Now, the new policy has a particular fault which visitors using wheelchairs and motorised scooters do need to pay attention to. The policy lays down maximum dimensions on the trains for wheelchairs and motorised scooters - 1200mm long, 700mm wide, 1350mm high, 1200mm from floor to lap, 150mm from floor to top of shoe. The WSR have adopted the dimensions from UK and EU regulations for accommodating wheelchairs in new-build trains and other railway facilities. The regs do not apply to heritage railways. Furthermore, my research finds the regulations were based on the results of a consultation exercise which measured lots of wheelchairs but which failed to deliberately include a good representation of all users especially long-term wheelchair-bound adults, many of which cannot use the "reference wheelchair" as now specified in the regulations. So, we have a UK and EU regulation based on a flawed consultation exercise and now adopted by a heritage railway who, despite having their attention drawn, seem to want to ignore the faults and the inappropriateness of the regulations to their business.
The WSR say those who use "oversize" wheelchairs can ask for an "assessment" which, if successful, may allow them to travel. I have no idea, and the WSR have declined to explain, what processes the "assessment" uses, who carries it out, where it is carried out and when. I suspect the WSR have not even thought about it, yet.
The result is many wheelchair-users, perhaps including some regular WSR visitors, will find themselves barred from travelling on this heritage railway.
I know one wheelchair-bound user who has used the WSR trains since 1977 with no problem, incident or complaint (from either side) and who now find his wheelchair exceeds the maximum dimension by a few centimetres and technically cannot be carried. And that despite no change to the Railway infrastructure, no change to the ramps used to get the wheelchair on and off the train, no change to the accommodation inside the train. Nothing has changed. Except the rules. To me, that sounds like discrimination and could be challenged in court if someone felt so inclined.
Many representations have been made to the Railway asking for a rethink but it is clear from their replies that they have no intention of changing the maximum dimensions.
Like many folk who have a wheelchair-bound member of the family I remain positive and optimistic that one day the WSR will see the light and modify the policy to enable almost all wheelchair users to travel on the best heritage railway in the land.
Now, the new policy has a particular fault which visitors using wheelchairs and motorised scooters do need to pay attention to. The policy lays down maximum dimensions on the trains for wheelchairs and motorised scooters - 1200mm long, 700mm wide, 1350mm high, 1200mm from floor to lap, 150mm from floor to top of shoe. The WSR have adopted the dimensions from UK and EU regulations for accommodating wheelchairs in new-build trains and other railway facilities. The regs do not apply to heritage railways. Furthermore, my research finds the regulations were based on the results of a consultation exercise which measured lots of wheelchairs but which failed to deliberately include a good representation of all users especially long-term wheelchair-bound adults, many of which cannot use the "reference wheelchair" as now specified in the regulations. So, we have a UK and EU regulation based on a flawed consultation exercise and now adopted by a heritage railway who, despite having their attention drawn, seem to want to ignore the faults and the inappropriateness of the regulations to their business.
The WSR say those who use "oversize" wheelchairs can ask for an "assessment" which, if successful, may allow them to travel. I have no idea, and the WSR have declined to explain, what processes the "assessment" uses, who carries it out, where it is carried out and when. I suspect the WSR have not even thought about it, yet.
The result is many wheelchair-users, perhaps including some regular WSR visitors, will find themselves barred from travelling on this heritage railway.
I know one wheelchair-bound user who has used the WSR trains since 1977 with no problem, incident or complaint (from either side) and who now find his wheelchair exceeds the maximum dimension by a few centimetres and technically cannot be carried. And that despite no change to the Railway infrastructure, no change to the ramps used to get the wheelchair on and off the train, no change to the accommodation inside the train. Nothing has changed. Except the rules. To me, that sounds like discrimination and could be challenged in court if someone felt so inclined.
Many representations have been made to the Railway asking for a rethink but it is clear from their replies that they have no intention of changing the maximum dimensions.
Like many folk who have a wheelchair-bound member of the family I remain positive and optimistic that one day the WSR will see the light and modify the policy to enable almost all wheelchair users to travel on the best heritage railway in the land.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Snow but no supertrain to the rescue this time
A rare snowfall in West Somerset led briefly to a few transport problems. Of course it was nothing like the blizzard of 1978. Then, everything stopped. Except a few folks on the West Somerset Railway at Minehead who steamed "Vulcan" which then ploughed through chimney-high drifts all the way to Bishops Lydeard. Over the next few days, the little train was the only effective transport between West Somerset and the rest of the world. Mailbags, hospital patients and folks just trying to get home were carried in style through the snowy landscape. The Railway did a good job and got a very good press for its troubles. The recent snowfall cold have provided a perfect repeat but there appeared to be no desire this time. To be fair the roads were re-opened quickly and with the Railway's infrastructure more complex than it was in 1978 movement of any train, emergency or not, involves more people and more equipment - getting folks to their workplaces and getting the signals and points unfrozen would have been a major task. Nevertheless, it would have been nice to see No 88, two coaches (one a buffet) and No 9351 at the rear, chugging through the snow-covered West Somerset countryside, doing what steam trains do best.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Geocaching
Without giving the location away, I must report an recent interesting encounter with two enthusiastic "geocachers". Geocaching is an activity which involves one party placing a small box or container, the "cache", in a hidden spot and listing a series of clues and coordinates on a geocaching website. Other geocachers then set out to find the cache. When found, the finders often leave a small object in the container and take one away.
The two enthusiasts, armed with the details and a GPS, were certainly in the right area and homing in on their target, which happened to be a structure within the railway fences. They had crossed the fence and made their way along the tracks towards said structure. I happened to be there, with permission, for photography purposes. Since two trains were due - we could hear them - I felt I had better have a word or two.
We had a brief and constructive chat, I pointed out they should not be on the railway, they agreed, we had a very quick look for the cache, found nothing. I suggested the cache is probably accessible from the other side of the railway fence. They agreed and off they went back over the fence. I did ask them to contact the cache placer and ask for a warning word to be place on the website page.
As it happens, I contacted the placer, who responded very quickly and responsibly. And I would like to thank him for that swift action. I'd also like to thank him for advising folks to travel on the Railway when they go out looking for his caches.
The two enthusiasts, armed with the details and a GPS, were certainly in the right area and homing in on their target, which happened to be a structure within the railway fences. They had crossed the fence and made their way along the tracks towards said structure. I happened to be there, with permission, for photography purposes. Since two trains were due - we could hear them - I felt I had better have a word or two.
We had a brief and constructive chat, I pointed out they should not be on the railway, they agreed, we had a very quick look for the cache, found nothing. I suggested the cache is probably accessible from the other side of the railway fence. They agreed and off they went back over the fence. I did ask them to contact the cache placer and ask for a warning word to be place on the website page.
As it happens, I contacted the placer, who responded very quickly and responsibly. And I would like to thank him for that swift action. I'd also like to thank him for advising folks to travel on the Railway when they go out looking for his caches.
Friday, 12 December 2008
The turntable gets the nod
The "new" locomotive turntable at Minehead Station passed its inspection by the men from the Ministry - well, the Office of the Rail Regulator - yesterday. The freshly signed Certificate of Competence bestowed upon the massive lump of metal now permits full use. The West Somerset Railway have announced it will indeed be in use at the Winter Steam Festival on 28 and 29 December this year.News of the turntable at Minehead has appeared in the website of a Swindon newspaper - see
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/community/remember/reports/3964409.Grandfathers_led_the_way_in_rail_history/ - who are, rightly, pleased to note that the Great Western Railway built these things to last.
This one was turning steam locomotives at Pwllheli in North Wales for nigh on seventy years before falling into disuse and eventually saved for preservation by some very, very far-sighted fellows in Somerset, who moved the whole thing to Minehead in 1977. And there is lay rusty away, uninstalled and unused, until very recently when opportunity knocked, money and land became available.
The turntable was too short for the longest steam locomotives now seeing main line use again, so the thing was extended at a specialist works in the Black Country, before making its way back to Minehead and placed on its original pivot already in place in a newly constructed pit next to Minehead Station.
Civic dignatories enjoyed a day out in October when the turntable was officially "launched", with several sightings of chain-of-office officials smiling as they pushed a real live steam locomotive round and round in circles just for the cameras, and the fun too, I guess.
Yesterday's low key inspection now gives Minehead and the West Somerset Railway the right facility to attract main line steam excursions right to the seaside town. The incoming steamer can be turned to face the right way for the homeward trip (main line officials don't like steam engines running "backwards"). This avoids the previous need for a diesel locomotive to tail the incoming excursion so that it can pull the return train, and avoids the incoming steamer making a lengthy, expensive non-revenue-generating trip to the nearest turning facility (Bristol, Westbury or Yeovil).
Great news for everyone, then, it seems. Thank goodness for those far-sighted folks back in the 1970s who knew a good thing or two about railways.
Friday, 25 July 2008
Track trouble
How much damage has been done to the Railway by the recent rail grinding machine? I'm not meaning the actual rails but the fact that it happened at all. No plausible explanation of just how the work was allowed to continue unchecked has been issued by the Railway so we can only sit here and spectulate. I don't think anyone wants a witch hunt, but I do think everyone wants to ensure nothing like this happens again.
And although our visitors have been wonderfully patience and forgiven, the Railway simply does not live up to the Heritage Railway of the Year. Such titles and awards, not long ago, were raining in on a regular basis. The diesel boys have been magnificent, turning out capable machines and crews at short notice, so at least the trains have been kept running. But the Railway attracts visitors because they expect the steam locomotives that the Railway shouts about on all its publicity and promotional material.
There have been times when I have been so ashamed of the debacle that I have considered closing www.wsr.org.uk because I too have been guilty of promoting a product that cannot be delivered. But I chose instead to keep posting what information I could get to allow folks to make their own minds up about trekking out to Lydeard or Watchet to buy their tickets and ride the Minehead Branch.
At the time of writing, the steamers are back and everything seems to be normal again. But there is bad feeling around and some folks will not allow this to be easily forgotten. And if faith is lost...
And although our visitors have been wonderfully patience and forgiven, the Railway simply does not live up to the Heritage Railway of the Year. Such titles and awards, not long ago, were raining in on a regular basis. The diesel boys have been magnificent, turning out capable machines and crews at short notice, so at least the trains have been kept running. But the Railway attracts visitors because they expect the steam locomotives that the Railway shouts about on all its publicity and promotional material.
There have been times when I have been so ashamed of the debacle that I have considered closing www.wsr.org.uk because I too have been guilty of promoting a product that cannot be delivered. But I chose instead to keep posting what information I could get to allow folks to make their own minds up about trekking out to Lydeard or Watchet to buy their tickets and ride the Minehead Branch.
At the time of writing, the steamers are back and everything seems to be normal again. But there is bad feeling around and some folks will not allow this to be easily forgotten. And if faith is lost...
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Turning the tables at Minehead
So at last - the turntable will be re-installed at Minehead. Thanks to some determined work by some WSR notables who have secured funds from several sources including European funds, and to many WSR supporters who have contributed to the Turntable Fund. Work began in early November clearing the site with a completion date of March 2008. Good news from the steam railtour operator, Steam Dreams, who seem keen to take early advantage of the "improved facilities at Minehead". Steam Dreams will send two tours down to Minehead in the summer, and thanks to the turntable, will turn the engines - Bittern and Duchess of Sutherland - to allow the return leg to be steam hauled too! I think this facility will bring much benefit to the Railway, to the town of Minehead and the district of West Somerset. Well done, WSR.
Saturday, 27 October 2007
WSR to Taunton in 2009?
A news item in the Steam Railway magazine quotes the WSR General Manager describing how the Railway is considering upgrading its DMU to main line certification standard and then running a service from Bishops Lydeard to Taunton's Platform 1. The article suggests this could commence in 2008 but local opinion reckons 2009 is more likely. Well, this is a most welcome development and I hope the idea comes good. Although not mentioned in the mag, it seems the Bristol-Minehead trains - the Butlins Express - is on the cards again for 2008.
Thursday, 26 April 2007
Everything is rosy in the Station Gardens
It's been a bit of a slog but we are on the move with the Station Gardens promotion. A date has been fixed for the special week - 15 to 22 July 2007. A leaflet has been designed and will be printed soon. The Railway Company will be completing the promotion strategy which should include mail shots to garden centres and leaflets in tourist information centres. The www.wsr.org.uk website has, as you can imagine, already posted information on several pages. I have also been busy emailing websites which list garden events. One success already! There is a poster image at http://www.wsr.org.uk/posters/gardens2007.jpg for folks to download, print and display to help us promote the Gardens Week, it'd be wonderful if folks could do this! Anyone with a blog or website can also help by listing the link for more information at http://www.wsr.org.uk/gardens.htm Anyway, the Station Gardens are open every day in the summer so folks can always visit a Station Garden before make their way by train perhaps to another Station Garden down the line. A leisurely lunch at the Washford Inn or the Driftwood at Blue Anchor, maybe, and hey that's quite a nice day out! Help us promote the Station Gardens if you can. Thanks.
Thursday, 4 January 2007
Limited accommodation?
Feeling the need to get on and book somewhere to stay for the second weekend of the Spring Steam Gala we surfed the net (that's an old-fashioned phrase now!) and found a couple of likely looking places. Off went the email enquiries and back came "sorry we are full" messages. One place even suggested the rooms had been taken by "steam enthusiasts". Now that sounds like good news for the town and for the Railway. In reality, I suppose there are lots of places left and we have found somewhere up on North Hill which looks very nice. But some folks might find problems if they leave it too late.
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