DIVERSIONARY TACTICS NEEDED FOR FLYING SCOTSMAN’S WSR VISIT?
Branch line may bend the rails to ensure celebrity ‘A3’ visit goes smoothly.
Part of the West Somerset Railway’s running line may be diverted to ensure that a sell-out visit by Flying Scotsman can go ahead in September. The National Collection ‘Pacific’ made its first appearance on the GWR branch on May 23, hauling a Steam Dreams ‘Cathedrals Express’ from Bristol - but, with a survey of the WSR’s infrastructure still ongoing (SR466) it was not permitted to run the full length of the line to Minehead. It instead handed over to resident SDJR ‘7F’ 2-8-0 No. 53808 at Bishops Lydeard. The planned display of the ‘A3’ at Minehead on May 24/25 did not take place, and the engine’s two ‘Cathedrals Expresses’ to Bristol and Westbury on May 26 started from Bishops Lydeard, rather than Minehead. Although two LNER-design
IT’S SOMETHING WE’D HAVE NEEDED TO DO ANYWAY - BUT FLYING SCOTSMAN HAS GIVEN US BOTH THE INCENTIVE AND THE FUNDING PAUL CONIBEARE
‘Pacifics’ with the same RA9 route restriction have previously run on the WSR (‘A4’ No. 60019 Bittern and ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado), the survey has highlighted a number of bullhead rail lengths that fall below the industry standard minimum depth, and will need to be replaced before No. 60103 can be cleared to run. Replacement rail has already been ordered. Concerns have also been raised about defects in the brickwork of the two-arch River Avill bridge, between Dunster and Minehead. Dating from the opening of the Watchet-Minehead section in 1874, the structure has had a 10mph speed restriction imposed, pending a full assessment. However, an alternative would be to temporarily slew the running line onto the Up side of the double-track formation to cross the adjacent steel bridge deck, installed by the GWR in 1934 when the Dunster-Minehead section was doubled. Such a diversion was previously carried out in 1994. To complete the permanent way work in time for No. 60103’s return in September, contractors are to be engaged for overnight engineering possessions, with the cost, and that of the new rail, paid from railway revenue. This will take priority over other projects, including the construction of a siding behind the platform at Norton Fitzwarren, to display locomotives during the annual Steam Rally. WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare said: “We’re investing in the infrastructure for the next 50 to 100 years, and ensuring that any locomotive can run to Minehead. “It’s something we’d have needed to do anyway - but Flying Scotsman has given us both the incentive and the funding.” All 9,964 seats have been sold for Flying Scotsman’s appearance of September 5-12 (excluding September 8), including two trains reserved for local schoolchildren on September 5.