West Somerset Railway SPRING GALA 2023

Mrs M and I decided to visit the WSR for their Spring Gala, and we were blessed with glorious Spring Sunshine. Whilst I have decided not to upload videos onto KZbin, this occasion, when Saint 2999 'Lady of Legend' was attending was too much for me not to attend. So this video covers from Friday the 28th of April until Sunday the 30th of April 2023.

[@howarth004]

A masterpiece by the Master himself ..well covered Bob ...nearly forgot what a Gala was like ...Lady of legend ..what beauty

[@robmasterman]

Thanks as always Dave, had it not been for the Saint, we wouldn't have gone, but so glad we did now.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Very good Bob , a fine mixture of onboard and lineside action with Lady of Legend obviously the star 👍

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Stephen, also met Liam Marsh and his Dad, and Brian Murphy..it was an excellent Gala that forced me out of video retirement....Regards....Bob

[@TheStephengthompson]

@@robmasterman Nothing wrong with coming back Bob 👍🎥🎥

[@acw71000]

Good coverage of the gala Bob, nice to see the railway getting back to some normality. I do miss my annual trip down to Somerset

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Austin, I was talking to Liam and his Dad, and you came into the conversation.

[@acw71000]

Hmmm...not sure I like the sound of that

[@RouXRenard]

A very professional presentation of a wonderful event.

[@robmasterman]

Thank you very much, your kind comments are greatly appreciated.

[@morgidvmw0mdv]

Wonderful sites and sounds, it's a pity some one can't invent smelly vision so we could have the wonderful smell of a steam engine as well. My last trip on a steam hauled train was some years back on the Llangollen line. Thanks again for a great video.

[@robmasterman]

Thank you David, your kind comments are greatly appreciated.

[@morgidvmw0mdv]

@@robmasterman Your video brought back some lovely childhood memories. My Dad worked for the railways and each year in the 50's my Mum, Dad and I would go on holidays with our relations in Cardiff, Bristol and Reading. one year it would be Cardiff, next year, Bristol and then Reading. Wonderful memories.

[@caerphillycastle]

Thank you Mr Masterman for this great coverage of the WSR Gala, well done mate! Really enjoyed watching it. You had the best weather didnt you compared to Sunday! Plus you covered a lot more of the line than me on my one day visit. This was my first visit to WSR since Autumn 2018 & I really enjoyed it, Geraint

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Ger, that's very kind of you, I desperately tried not to video too much, but as you can see, failed miserably. It started off as a Private viewing, then within the last hour, opened it up for public viewing, and had 140 views in the last hour. Will have a look at yours in a few minutes....Bob

[@caerphillycastle]

@@robmasterman Thanks Bob I enjoyed your coverage. Glad you had a great time at the WSR, Geraint

[@EMuksteam]

Excellent video Bob. Superb coverage of the gala. Great mix of onboard and line side footage. A fantastic video throughout. Enjoyable watching . Best wishes C&A

[@robmasterman]

Thanks both, my intention was to keep it private, but changed my mind this afternoon, and glad I did.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Bob, It was really good to see this epic video appear and well up to your usual high standards of presentation and content. I hope you had time to enjoy the Gala with Mrs. M. Regards, John

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much John, the intention was to go down and enjoy the weekend without doing too much videoing, just some for my own personal use. Then we met Brian, and others who wanted a copy, and next thing, it was on KZbin and open to all....I just can't help myself!!!...Regards...Bob

[@ph4ntomtr4in]

I spotted Lady of Legend at the East Somerset Railway today when I went to the model shop. Quite a magnificent locomotive. 😊

[@robmasterman]

It's wonderful to see a working example of a Saint, she looks very elegant. Thanks for your comment.

[@brianwillson9567]

Wow. The saint is a beauty, and getting a ‘main line’ run. So worth all those years of effort.

[@robmasterman]

It was a thrill to see her in the flesh, she looked quite magnificent I must say.

[@SYKAROST]

That was epic coverage of this event Bob, really enjoyed it as well as your company on Saturday. Spotted myself four times so my apologies for that 😜. All best wishes, Brian.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Brian, as you know, it first went Private, but having had a few requests to see what I had captured, I made it public without all the frills. A great weekend all round....All the best...Bob

[@limeyfox]

My wife and I visited the WSR yesterday and we had a great day out with 9351 and 7812 on the normal service trains. It was clear that much of the post-gala ‘tidy up’ was still ongoing and I did wonder how it had been, so this compilation is really excellent to find! Thank you for sharing with us.

[@robmasterman]

Once again despite previous issues, they've put on a great show for the visitors, and this coupled with some glorious weather, made it a sheer joy to visit again. It's wonderful to hear that you both enjoyed your visit. The next time, you must indulge in the famous Cream Teas at Stogumber, they're fabulous!

[@limeyfox]

@@robmasterman thank you for the recommendation!

[@khankadet]

Well what an unexpected treat Bob. You must remember to thank Di for letting you out to show you've lost none of you skills and eye for a shot. Seems a pretty well looked after railway and those Western locos know how bark when working. Very enjoyable 40 minutes of anybody's time. Thank you for sharing. Take care - Chris

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much Chris for your kind and greatly appreciated comments. This video was originally produced to share with a few friends, and that's why it's 40 minutes long. However, a few more requests to see my video, resulted in me making it public. Take care....Best wishes...Bob

[@canvids1]

Bob, it sure is nice to see the master out there doing what he does best, make steam videos, thank you.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much Wayne, this was done for private viewing only, but after being asked to share it with several people, I decided to share it to all on KZbin.

[@philipwall6407]

What a wonderful video. Thank you.

[@robmasterman]

Thank you Philip, your kind comments are appreciated.

[@wooltman]

Lovely to have you back filming these Galas Bob, master by name, master with the camera. I even saw Brian a few times, well I thought it was. Best wishes Chris

[@robmasterman]

Only on special occasions Chris, and this was one of them. Met up with Brian on the Saturday, and he travelled with us for most of the day...Best wishes...Bob

[@donniblanco5239]

Wow 🤩- All my Favourites in One Video - Everything I Love about GWR and Early BR - Awesome Opening with Iconic 2999 - LoL 🙌🏻

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Donni, I'm delighted that you've enjoyed my work. It was a wonderful weekend, and the Saint being the reason why we made the journey.

[@beremill2184]

Thanks for this coverage Bob. As mentioned an unexpected treat for your followers

[@robmasterman]

It is my intension to stop uploading my work to KZbin, but I just had to do this one. Thanks for your kind comments....Bob

[@robertgaudry2826]

Top vidéo.

[@robmasterman]

Thank you very much Robert, I'm delighted you've enjoyed it.

[@robertgaudry2826]

Thank you for your answer and for sharing this video. It's a real pleasure to watch it.

[@likklej8]

Going on holiday in the 60s St David used to appear in a siding outside Swindon works. Last time I was in Minehead this line had a passenger service from Taunton.

[@robmasterman]

I just missed them in service, so thanks for sharing your memories of seeing them in your youth.

[@SimonTog]

Nice done video Bob :)

[@robmasterman]

Thank you Simon, much appreciated.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Well this is a treat. Not only a new one from Bob, it's feature length as well!

[@robmasterman]

Hello young man, it's wonderful to hear from you again. The material captured over the weekend was for my own personal use, hence the length of it. However, several friends and colleagues got to know about it, and the easiest way for them to see it was to upload it onto KZbin. I'm pleased you've enjoyed my efforts, and your kind remarks are greatly appreciated.

[@oldfart6318]

Magic Bob. Looks like you had a busy time, hope you still enjoyed it.

[@robmasterman]

It was a wonderful weekend, I wanted to see the Saint in action, and managed to do that, although mechanically, she wasn't in the best condition. Thanks for your kind comments.

[@oldfart6318]

@@robmasterman Yes, a little leaky around the front end.

[@edmundcarew7235]

Last year on a UK/Europe trip I travelled on the WSR on two days and dumped my bag at Dunster to visit the Castle as well after staying overnight at Minehead. I am now a WSR shareholder. Great footage but why did the WSR volunteer walk in front of your camera at Bishops Lydeard? Was the sequence at about 16:00 at Norton Fitzwarren on the bit over which I've not travelled?

[@robmasterman]

It's a beautiful part of the Country Edmund, and although I live in West Wales, I try and visit a few times each year. The person who stood in front of me, was the third to do so that day. They have no respect for those who may be behind them, something that happens far too often on stations unfortunately.

[@edmundcarew7235]

@@robmasterman It perhaps is due to greater numbers of railway enthusiasts in the UK (higher population!) but in my nation, generally railfans try to form a photo line on platforms, or especially at non-platform locations. That way, people 'getting in the camera' is minimised or eliminated. In the UK, it seems too many just routinely walk in front when one is photographing. Annoying, especially for quality videographers of which I'm not one. I understand this behaviour from general public members (they don't take care not to block others at other touristy sites, so why is a heritage railway any different?) but for railfans it really ought be a non-no. As my Catholic Parish Priest occasionally remarks, when one considers others, one may well end up happier oneself, elusive as that concept is. Your filming is terrific quality, like a few other KZbinrs. You're 'wheat' not 'chaff' in terms of skills. I'd be certain you have an audience from many nations given the UK is #1 on the preserved railway scene. By the way, your sequences of the down departing Williton and the goods running express through Stogumber were A1.

[@2010ditta]

Very enjoyable Bob..thank you. That was a nice look round the West Somerset. I have to ask...what was it like to be at ground level as the freight went past and 2999 tookof? All the best.

[@robmasterman]

Hello Tim, good to hear from you, I am stood behind the barrier at Stogumber, but the excitement when the trains went past was fantastic...Best wishes....Bob

[@thairatcatcher]

The English always have such good manors when it comes to railway history.

[@robmasterman]

Being Welsh I cannot possibly comment, but what you say is probably true.

[@jacobparry6212]

Have you been to the blaenavon heritage railway transport festival today it was pretty good

[@robmasterman]

I'm afraid that I cannot attend any more Jacob for medical reasons. Thanks for letting me know though.

[@jacobparry6212]

​​@@robmastermanthis weekend is 1940s weekend at blaenavon railway

[@AndreiTupolev]

Is the slow running around22:45where the landslip was? Or just an issue with the loco? 😬

[@robmasterman]

I understood that there was a speed restriction on that section, but the loco was definitely struggling to get the train moving on that gradient. She's not in the best of conditions mechanically, which is a shame.

[@bobhellier]

how does it work if unfortunately a train derails where would the breakdown crane go with only one track?

[@robmasterman]

If that happened, heavens above Bob, the large Brakedown cranes would still be able to lift the loco, even on a single track.

[@user-oj1zq5do5y]

Эй! Ты, паровоз ЛОНДОН-ПАРИЖ как ты переплываешь канал чтобы попасть в Париж?

[@robmasterman]

Я не уверен, что вы имеете в виду, но спасибо за ваши комментарии.

[@user-oj1zq5do5y]

@@robmasterman А на паровозе написано ЛОНДОН-ПАРИЖ. Вот поэтому я и написал такой комментарий.