Date/Time

• Sat, 18 Nov 2017, All Day
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IRO Area

• South West & Wales

Event Details

Thanks to the West Somerset Railway allowing the IRO South West Area access, the West Somerset Railway are pleased to announce a collaborative series of Operations Experience days which will take place on the following Saturdays: 14th October, 21st October, 04th November and 18th November this year.

The first and second sessions will take place at Bishops Lydeard, the third at Williton and the fourth session will take place at either Bishops Lydeard or Minehead (Venue yet to be decided). Participants will need to arrive at Taunton in time to catch the 0927 bus departure to Bishops Lydeard (No 28). The connecting train arrives from Bristol TM at 0915 which in turn connects out of the 0630 from Paddington. From the far west the service arrives at 0917 calling at all major stations from Penzance.

Safety footwear, gloves & HV clothing suitable for any potential weather conditions will be required. Participants will be walking on ballast and climbing into and out of rail vehicles at height so a degree of fitness and stamina will also be required. A packed lunch will be provided courtesy of the IRO for all participants

On arrival at the location for the days session a briefing will take place led by members of the the West Somerset Railway Operations team and there will be a degree of hands-on participation during the session so as to allow the attendees to gain practical experience of the subject. Members of the IRO South West Area Council will be on hand to assist with the running of the sessions.

Session 1 will deal with the principle and practice of mechanical signalling such as signal function design and locking, point control and operation, working of double and single lines, operating during degraded working which will include point winding and handsignalling.

Session 2 deals with train operations and will involve rolling stock including coupling and braking systems, hand-signals, the role of the Guard, shunting and train dispatch.

Session 3 will deal with heritage diesel traction which will involve equipment, preparation and operation of one of the heritage diesels currently extant on the West Somerset Railway

Session 4 will deal with the principles of operation, preparation, operation, disposal, maintenance and restoration of heritage steam locomotives.

The above sessions will greatly benefit junior members of the IRO who are either starting on or are in the process of gaining any of the educational qualifications offered by the IRO.
It is proposed that a maximum of 12 participants takes part with preference being given to those members who wish to attend all four sessions.

To book your place please contact Dave Davidson by emailing sw.events@railwayoperators.co.uk

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