WSR :: West Somerset Railway


Report into 2008 track problems is published


• Press release issued by WSR Plc

The West Somerset Railway has completed its investigation into the problems which it experienced in the middle of 2008 when excessive tyre wear was detected on the wheels of some of its steam locomotives.

West Somerset Railway Chairman Mark Smith commented on the content of the report that has been published by David Morgan, Chairman of the Heritage Railway Association and a WSR Director, based on the findings of an investigation by an outside Civil Engineering consultant and interviews with West Somerset Railway staff conducted by Mr Morgan. "At the start of 2008", Mr Smith said, "we were offered the use of a rail grinding machine by Network Rail to work on our track, on the basis that we would have free upgrading of the surface of our rails and Network Rail would have a useful training exercise on a single track line with persistent curvature along its length. This offer was accepted."

Mr Smith continued "It was later in the Spring that regular maintenance checks on our steam locomotive fleet revealed an increase in wear on the engines' steel tyres that was greater than usual or than could be expected. This prompted checking of the condition of the track and revealed that rough areas had been left by the grinding process that had been previously detected. An immediate remedial programme began but as a pre-emptive precaution, the majority of steam train services were suspended until mid-July with the timetable being maintained by vintage diesel locomotives much to the disappointment of many visitors who naturally expect steam engines when they come to a heritage railway such as the West Somerset."

"This Report has highlighted another problem, which was the failure to pass on or cascade all the relevant and updated information to staff, volunteers and other members expeditiously. As a result of this, not all of what the public heard was accurate which exacerbated the problems. Websites carried information about changed timetables and there was local press coverage but some visitors may not have been aware of the problems until they arrived, some after making long journeys to reach us as one of Somerset’s main tourist and leisure attractions."

Mr Smith concluded. "Since the resumption of normal services in July, I am delighted to say that the public have been flooding in, culminating in 2008 being our second-best year to date in terms of passenger numbers."

The Report concludes with several recommendations designed to prevent a recurrence of similar problems in the future, and these have been fully accepted and adopted by the Company’s Board.

West Somerset Railway Plc
3 February 2009